Chapter 1: The Tour Begins

In the autumn of 2017, our tour kicked off amidst the chaos of Hurricane Harvey battering Houston, Texas. The night before our departure, I busied myself folding t-shirts and organizing merchandise. My feelings toward touring were mixed; I cherished the time spent on the road with my father, yet the separation from my son weighed heavily on me.

At this stage, we had found our rhythm. Everyone understood their roles, and the process felt almost effortless, even though I was largely responsible for the logistics of the tour. My mother accompanied us under the pretense of being "helpful," while my dad and I were the core that held everything together.

I juggled multiple responsibilities: tour manager, merchandise handler, band member, and driver, among others. Despite the workload, I found joy in being with my father and supporting his passion for music.

Each year, I posed the same question to him: "Are we done yet?" He would respond with a chuckle, "Nooooo." His playful demeanor was a reminder that our journey was far from over, and I would reassure him, "Alright then, let's continue." Yet, I felt a mix of fatigue and the sense that our story had reached a conclusion. It was time to consider our farewell—a final album or tour, perhaps.

Our first show took place in Carrboro, NC, where the remnants of Hurricane Harvey lingered like a ghost from a past relationship. While the band drove from Austin, Texas, I opted for a flight, intending to surprise them with beer and pizza upon their late arrival. To pass the time, I found myself in the smoking area, indulging in clove cigarettes and drinks as I awaited their arrival.

Section 1.1: The Unexpected Bite

It was during this waiting period that everything changed. The following day, I noticed a large, red circle surrounding a suspicious-looking bite on my arm. After consulting with a pharmacist, I realized I might need antibiotics, but without health insurance, I turned to social media for help.

Facebook Post:

— "Does anyone have a doctor on our tour route? This spider bite didn’t grant me any superpowers… the pharmacist thinks I may need an antibiotic." —

Thanks to the kindness of friends, I was connected with Dr. Kenneth Stone, who treated me and provided the necessary medication.

However, things quickly escalated. I awoke in the sprinter van, gasping for air, my body covered in red spots, and my chest tightening. Believing I was experiencing a heart attack, I texted Eli, our lead guitarist, asking him to drive me to the emergency room.

As I struggled to communicate my distress, I was filled with fear. My thoughts became muddled, and I felt time slipping away. At the hospital, I was alone, unable to voice my concerns, and the only thing I could do was point at a picture of my son, Julian, repeating, "I can't go. Must stay."

By the grace of God, the medical staff administered high doses of steroids and antibiotics, and I slowly began to recover. Just hours later, I was determined to perform that night, even though I had no recollection of the show itself.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Aftermath

In New York, the rash reappeared, prompting another Facebook post seeking help:

— "Thanks for all the check-ins and well wishes. The past two days have been a whirlwind. I’m scared and would appreciate hearing if anyone has had a similar experience." —

The ER visit left me feeling paralyzed, and I fought against medication-induced drowsiness, fearing I wouldn’t wake up.

The doctor suggested I might be experiencing an anxiety attack, but I insisted something was wrong. He listened to my story and decided to admit me to the hospital, where I encountered a dedicated team of doctors who conducted numerous tests.

Chapter 2: Diagnosis and Recovery

The first video, "Funniest Superpowers | Extraordinary | Hulu," humorously explores the concept of superpowers, adding a lighthearted touch to my serious situation.

On the second day, the diagnosis came: I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from a tick bite, not a spider bite. The doctor reassured me that I would recover, but I had narrowly escaped permanent damage.

I was grateful to be alive and to finish the tour despite ongoing challenges, including navigating through bad weather and protests. However, once home, I began to feel the long-term effects of the illness—neurological issues that made daily life increasingly difficult.

Facebook Post:

— "The journey continues. I contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever on our first day in Carrboro, NC, explaining the various symptoms I've faced. Thank you for your support." —

Living with the consequences of this illness for over seven years has been daunting, but I remain grateful for each day. I have learned to navigate life with my son while managing my health challenges.

The path to sobriety has been difficult, but I embrace the pain as part of my journey. I now strive to be a present and engaged father, fully aware of the time I have left.

My prayer for survival has been answered, and I will continue to walk through life with gratitude, even as I cope with the challenges that remain.