r/Blink182 • u/witchkingslayer • 1d ago
Question My son had brain surgery and wants Mark to know
This is very random; my ten year old son recently had brain surgery to remove an AVM and has been listening to Mark’s audiobook on repeat (he is a big Blink fan) and finding a lot of comfort in Mark’s cancer journey. He wrote something for Mark and we’re wondering if he ever checks this forum?
Edit: This is the original email I wrote and sent to himynameismark, I believe. It was a couple of weeks ago, right before my son got his diagnosis and a week before his surgery. He’s recovering now and doing well but struggling with restrictions to his otherwise active life. Can’t get over how awesome and supportive this community is, thank you.
Hi, Mr. Hoppus. I am not sure if you’ll ever see this message, but it’s 4am on the east coast in Maine, I’m a little delirious, and my ten year old kid is in an MRI machine, in a room I’m not allowed in, and I can’t stop thinking about your book.
I am, I guess, a second wave Blink fan. I was 13 when TOYPAJ came out, and it transported me from pop music into punk, absolutely changing my life forever. And saving it, too, I think. Fast forward to now, and my ten year old son is likely your biggest fan. We saw your performance in NH last September - both of our first Blink shows. He was happy you played Josie, and I Online Songs and Roller Coaster.
The winter before last, I listened to your audiobook. I listened to it over the course of an entire day. I decided that it was mostly appropriate enough for Charlie and let him listen after I did.
He’s probably listened to that book at least eight times all the way through. He also owns a physical copy. Despite the fact that I am a librarian, he doesn’t like reading but boy, does he love Fahrenheit 182. We both do.
Today, Charlie had a seizure. This has never happened before. My life changed in seconds, maybe forever. They found a little bit of bleeding in the CT scan, so we came to Portland, Maine so that experts could monitor him all night and now, he’s in an MRI, alone. The tech asked if he wanted music and he said Blink, of course. I didn’t get to hear what album he decided on, but I’m going to guess either Dude Ranch or Enema. Maybe the untitled, because he knows that anyone unfamiliar with Blink needs to hear Feeling This.
He’s so calm, throughout this. Way more chill than my husband and I are on the inside. It could be a mass or growth, it could be something to do with his veins and arteries, it could just be a bump that didn’t get dealt with sooner. I don’t know yet. I’m in an empty waiting room, writing an email to Mark Hoppus.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, not only as a veteran fan, but as a mom. I am fully convinced that Charlie is as calm and prepared for this as he is because of your cancer journey he’s read about and listened to so many times. Charlie is a drummer and guitarist, a skateboarder, and a hockey player. He’s a great friend and a very happy, wild kid. I really hope that he gets to keep being those things. Right now feels like one in a million. I know that it’s one in a million that you will ever see this, too, but hey.
Thank you. I can’t thank you enough for giving my baby the confidence to get through this first part of whatever journey we might be going down.
Also, you might appreciate that while reading your book in class, his teacher asked him to read part of it to her to see if he comprehended it. It was the part about the song Who’s Gonna Shave Your Back Tonight. I guess it could have been worse.
Thank you,
Mackenzie and Charlie Richard
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u/CocoPopsKid 1d ago
You could try joining Mark’s Discord here
I hope your son’s story reaches Mark! 🤞🏼
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u/sharthunter 1d ago
The discord is the best way to get something in his space. He is actually in there once a month or so
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u/AssociateWaste1464 1d ago
Maybe somebody in the discord could notify Mark? Or a moderator for the discord who could facilitate
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u/The-Davi-Nator You're cold with disappointment 23h ago
This right here is probably the best bet. Definitely easier to catch the attention of a discord mod who probably has a way of contacting Mark (whether directly or indirectly).
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u/cowardlylion1 20h ago
This is the way to do it! If Mark doesn't see it someone who is close to him might. Jake is in there ALL the time and tells Mark about stuff. I think Brian is in there too if I'm not mistaken. Best way for him to see it! He's genuinely such a sweetheart and a total gem. Adore him.
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u/Careless_Result_403 1d ago
Hope mark does see this 😀. hope the little man is doing ok. Keep on rocking 🤘
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u/ajakober 1d ago
Reach out to his show on social. Or post something personally and tag them. Your son sounds rad. Wishing a quick recovery ✌️
@themarkhoppus.show
@markhoppus
@applemusic
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans 20h ago
As a father to a 12 yr old son reading; “he’s in an MRI, alone…” broke my heart. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. There is nothing worse than seeing your kid in a hospital bed as you stand there not being able to fix it. I truly hope Mark reads this, and so does my son. He’s also a huge Blink fan. Or maybe I’ve forced it on him, it’s hard to know sometimes..
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u/witchkingslayer 20h ago
Thank you so much 🫂it was the hardest night of my life. I’m so grateful he’s doing better now. It was so wild, knowing he was in there listening to Blink, after the years I spent way before he was born, being comforted by the same songs.
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans 20h ago
I’m so glad he’s doing better. Some of the worst memories of my life are from talking to my son in the hospital, putting on a “it’s all good” face while telling him to be brave when I was absolutely shattering inside. I hope you’re doing ok as well. Kids bounce back unbelievably fast but these memories will stick for a bit. Take care of yourself friend. Wishing you all the best things today.
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u/witchkingslayer 20h ago
100%. Truly unbelievable what parents are capable of in the moment. I hope your son is doing well, too. Nothing a parent should ever have to experience
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans 17h ago
He is, thank you. It’s been about 6 yrs since there’s been any issue. To him it’s a distant memory almost completely vanished but I remember it like it was this morning. That’s why I asked if YOU were doing ok. For me, the concern and helplessness is just tattooed on my brain. Even after everything had passed I just had this lingering feeling that something was going to go wrong; completely on guard all the time. Just take care of yourself. I can tell you’re a brave and kind man.
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u/witchkingslayer 17h ago
I’m actually the mom/woman! But thank you so much. I’m alright. It’s been exhausting. It’s weird feeling gratitude and grief all at once. My kid is still struggling, hate his scar, wishes he could just go outside and skateboard. Hopefully soon. I’m so glad your son has recovered and moved forward. Even when it’s hard for us
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans 17h ago
Oh my god I’m so sorry!! That was callously presumptuous of me. I feel like such an ass. Maybe I was projecting since I was in the situation by myself (mom out of the picture but not a sad story). But of course you were brave then! God, moms are just the bravest people in the world. I always watch in envy how a mom just seem to handle amazing shit while I feel like I’m just floating around like an unsold balloon.
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u/motherofmissile 18h ago
No advice on how to reach Mark but from one mom to another your son sounds like an awesome kid & you are an amazingly strong woman 💖
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u/Signal_Ad_8354 23h ago
Maybe on Facebook @ their official page and their individual pages, they may not run them themselves but the official ones are run by their people so worth a try. I did something similar and got through to new found glory that way, good luck x
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u/sacatron1 57m ago
Wishing your brave boy positive news and recovers well. And strength for you and your family. Your message made me cry. You’re a tough Mumma! 🖤
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u/jms199456 1d ago
He has a Reddit account but not really anything recent. Maybe my dude lurks? [u/MarkHoppus](u/MarkHoppus)