Ex TYKETTO guitarist BROOKE ST. JAMES reveals he “came very close to death” during COVID-19 fight

Former Tyketto guitarist Brooke St. James has revealed how he "came very close to death" during a recent battle with COVID-19 and has appealed to his fans and friends on GoFundMe for help with the costs associated with medical expenses and lost income.

His former Tyketto band-mates broke the news when they issued the following statement;

"ATTENTION TYKETTO FANS NEAR AND FAR:
We've kept this quiet for the past month out of respect for his privacy but after several discussions with the man himself, we wanted to let you know a little bit about the recent events happening to our very own Brooke St. James. In late September Brooke contracted Covid 19 Pneumonia and spent the better part of the following month fighting for his life. Those of us who knew did our best to keep in touch every day and offer all the support and love that we could. I'm incredibly relieved to tell you that Brooke is now at home after a month in hospital and recovering in the loving arms of his family. But it is a very long rehabilitation process and, as anyone who is familiar with the American healthcare system knows, a very expensive one. So all of us in Tyketto are asking you to have a look at the GoFundMe page that has just been set up to help Brooke and his family cope with his situation. On the GoFundMe page Brooke has written about his life, past and present as well as his thoughts about his outlook on the future. It's a great read. If you are at all capable, please help with anything you can. In the meantime, we love you Brookster, heal up and let us hear that guitar ringing out very soon.
Danny, Michael, Jim, Chris, Ged and Greg."

As Brooke disclosed on his GoFundMe page: "In mid late September 2021 my now 17 year old daughter returned home from school ill. Within a few days most everyone in my home was sick. The kids tested positive first, then my wife. Ok, no need to panic... from what we all knew at that point, we, as relatively healthy individuals should be fine. The kids bounced back immediately. My wife was sick for about 5-6 days with typical cold symptoms. I, however, after experiencing my first symptoms on September 23, 2021 tested positive on September 24th and began a frighteningly rapid decline. Unfortunately, this virus affected me very differently than it did my family.

"I was hospitalized Oct 4 and finally, by the Grace of God, discharged on Oct 30. During my stay I came very close to death according to my doctors and while I was moved to ICU at one point somehow some way I managed to skirt intubation and ventilator status.
That brings us to here and now. I am currently at home recovering from Covid and double pneumonia. This is a game of patience unfortunately. For now I am tethered to an oxygen machine and moving around with the assistance of a walker. I have every reason to believe things are improving daily although it's difficult to measure in such small increments.
That said, my wife and I are facing a dilemma unlike anything we've faced before. Now there is only one income in our home and while we do have some insurance to manage what is surely coming the amount of pressure on my wife is simply overwhelming.
We understand fully that after one month of hospitalization and continued Dr care we are in for a battle to keep our heads above water.And so it is with this, that I humbly appeal to you my dear music loving friends around the world. If you can find it in your hearts to contribute anything at all we would be forever and truly grateful."

Brooke St. James joined his first band at the age of sixteen, then a few years later moved to Milwaukee and found regional success with the popular Moxy Roxx. Brooke then moved to New York where he co-founded Tyketto and played on their first four albums, leaving the band in 2014 when he moved to Las Vegas to perform with Yellow Brick Road for three years. He has now returned to Milwaukee where he plays with several local Rock bands and is writing songs for a forthcoming solo album.

Brooke's GoFundMe page can be accessed via the following link:

https://gofund.me/0edd2c8a