Love vs. Leukaemia
I don't post in here that often but I'd like to share something with you all that for me at least, underlines why the community of Pearl Jam fans goes way beyond the levels of most bands followers.
I'm in my mid forties, live in the English Midlands and am a father of two, one of each. My little boy, now 11 has Down Syndrome and other associated developmental issues and in November of 2014 he was diagnosed with leukaemia, tough for any child, especially hard on my James. So began a long, hard battle which, in June of 2017 saw James declared tougher than cancer as he no longer required treatment.
My gig going having been necessarily curtailed during James illness, started again in earnest and I was more than a little excited to head to Amsterdam for the two shows there earlier this year. Along with an Irish mate, we ventured to the 'dam via his current home in Belgium and had two storming nights watching our favourite band. Second night was made all the better when we met two similarly minded PJ nuts from Texas in the 10C queue. Ruth and Jamie were great company and we ended up heading to a few bars post gig where they even tolerated drunken me staggering all over the place with good grace.
I saw Ruth again briefly in London at the rescheduled second show - where I managed to hand a letter to PJ's tour manager to hopefully let the band know what strength I'd taken from their music during dark times - and we were obviously connected by the usual social media by then so all good, another friend who lives and loves Pearl Jam and maybe even somewhere to crash if I ever make it to Texas.
A few weeks ago, very sadly, James relapsed as his leukaemia returned. After talking to close family and friends, I relayed the bad news via Facebook and we plunged back down the rabbit hole for a second time. James has been in hospital since late October now with my wife staying with him full time, whilst I shuffle between work, looking after his little sister and the house.
Returning from work in the darkness last week, I was handed a large box delivered earlier and taken in by a neighbour. "With love from Texas" adorned the outside. Opening it, I was staggered to see dozens and dozens of hand made cards, notes, origami and just the largest outpouring of love I think I've ever seen. Ruth - a teacher - reading about what had happened to James had talked to some of her students and they'd all contributed to offer their support for my lad and brighten up his life just a little. His room in Birmingham Children's Hospital is now the brightest, most colourful in the building. He has more messages of support than I have ever seen, it fills us all with joy.
Maybe I'm just seeing the world through PJ tinted spectacles, maybe I'm just completely biased and over emphasising the PJ angle here, but I don't think so. I like a lot of bands. But I don't think there's any other band where if you spend a few hours in a queue, on a barrier and in a bar with somebody that this stuff follows. Love and support for someone these kids have never met in a county they've never heard of in a country they've never seen. Amazing.
I have no idea if Ruth visits/posts here but regardless; she is fucking amazing, 10C is fucking amazing and being a fan of this band makes tough times more bearable and good times fucking extraordinary. Thank you 10C, thank you Ruth and thank you PJ. Love you all.
Comments
Best wishes to James.
Good on ya, Ruth.
Is there an address where James could receive a few more cards and such?
RED ROCKS 6-19-95
AUGUSTA 9-26-96
MANSFIELD 9-15-98
BOSTON 9-29-04
BOSTON 5-25-06
MANSFIELD 6-30-08
EV SOLO BOSTON 8-01-08
BOSTON 5-17-10
EV SOLO BOSTON 6-16-11
PJ20 9-3-11
PJ20 9-4-11
WRIGLEY 7-19-13
WORCESTER 10-15-13
WORCESTER 10-16-13
HARTFORD 10-25-13
PJ has some of the best fans.
Rattlehead
11 Pinewoods Avenue
Hagley
Worcs
DY9 0Jf
UK
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
will do!
Let’s send James some cards/pj swag to let him know we care!
I have a bunch of stickers headed his way
RED ROCKS 6-19-95
AUGUSTA 9-26-96
MANSFIELD 9-15-98
BOSTON 9-29-04
BOSTON 5-25-06
MANSFIELD 6-30-08
EV SOLO BOSTON 8-01-08
BOSTON 5-17-10
EV SOLO BOSTON 6-16-11
PJ20 9-3-11
PJ20 9-4-11
WRIGLEY 7-19-13
WORCESTER 10-15-13
WORCESTER 10-16-13
HARTFORD 10-25-13
astoria 06
albany 06
hartford 06
reading 06
barcelona 06
paris 06
wembley 07
dusseldorf 07
nijmegen 07
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
Sending you nothing but positive vibes and blessings for you and your family.