When Pearl Monroe “Roe Roe” Tucker was battling leukemia as a younger little one, Dolly Parton’s voice grew to become a supply of consolation throughout a few of her hardest moments. Years later, after finishing greater than two years of therapy, Pearl Monroe met Parton in particular person, twice, and was in a position to inform her how a lot her music and kindness had meant to her.Pearl Monroe was three years outdated when her dad and mom, Chad and Meredith Tucker, first seen one thing was flawed within the fall of 2019.She started complaining about unexplained ache in her legs and joints. At first, her dad and mom from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, thought it could possibly be one thing comparatively easy, maybe a sinus an infection or an damage.However the signs grew to become more and more extreme.On November 19, 2019, Meredith’s birthday, Pearl Monroe stopped strolling as a result of the ache in her legs had grow to be insufferable. Her dad and mom pushed for bloodwork, and the outcomes instantly raised issues.Pearl Monroe’s white blood cell depend was “out the roof,” Chad recalled whereas talking to PEOPLE.The analysis quickly adopted: leukemia.
A childhood spent in therapy
Dolly Parton’s songs helped Pearl Monroe address the emotional and bodily challenges of her leukemia therapy. (Photograph: Chad Tucker)
On the time, Chad was at work making ready to anchor the 4 p.m. information. Simply earlier than the published, round 3:45 p.m., he obtained the decision from the physician.He had solely minutes to get residence and inform Meredith, who was 22 weeks pregnant.The household then headed to a kids’s hospital, the place Pearl Monroe’s analysis was confirmed and therapy started.For the following 858 days, chemotherapy, steroids and hospital visits dominated her life.A lot of her therapy happened in the course of the pandemic, making an already troublesome expertise much more isolating. Pearl Monroe couldn’t attend college, spend time with associates or take pleasure in lots of the on a regular basis experiences different kids took as a right.The steroids introduced their very own challenges. Her household described episodes of intense emotional misery as “roid rage,” throughout which Pearl Monroe would scream and say she needed to “come out of her pores and skin.”Her dad and mom looked for small methods to assist her cope.A kind of comforts got here from Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton’s songs grew to become her consolation
Pearl Monroe was enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Creativeness Library. (Photograph: Chad Tucker)
A shower accompanied by Parton’s music might assist Pearl Monroe quiet down throughout troublesome moments.Songs similar to “9 to five,” “Jolene” and “Love Is Like a Butterfly” grew to become acquainted components of her routine.“Dolly’s music was an incredible healer,” Chad mentioned.The songs gave Pearl Monroe one thing acquainted to return to when a lot of her life was unpredictable.Parton’s reference to the younger woman additionally prolonged to books.Pearl Monroe was enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Creativeness Library, which sends books to kids by mail. Throughout therapy, these month-to-month deliveries grew to become particularly significant.“She couldn’t go to high school. She couldn’t be round her associates. She couldn’t do a whole lot of issues,” Chad mentioned. “However she might nonetheless get these books.”
Pearl Monroe rings the bell
After 858 days of therapy, Pearl Monroe lastly reached the milestone her household had been hoping for.She took her last tablet at residence on January 30, 2022.Two months later, on her sixth birthday, she rang the bell celebrating the top of her therapy.The expertise had modified her childhood, however the connection she had developed with Dolly Parton was solely starting to tackle one other that means.
An indication results in an unforgettable assembly
Pearl Monroe met Dolly Parton at Dollywood years after her music helped her by way of childhood most cancers. (Photograph: Chad Tucker)
In March 2024, the Tucker household visited Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, throughout opening weekend.Pearl Monroe had ready a handwritten message for Parton.It learn: “Dolly, your music helped me beat most cancers.”When Parton noticed the signal, she stopped.“She stopped and mentioned, ‘Are you all higher now?’” Chad recalled.Pearl Monroe advised her she was.Parton hugged the younger woman and expressed how pleased she was to listen to that she was doing nicely.For Pearl Monroe, the second was significantly particular as a result of the lady whose music had accompanied her by way of therapy was all of the sudden standing in entrance of her.
Their second assembly was simply as private
Now a childhood most cancers survivor, Pearl Monroe volunteers and raises cash to help kids battling most cancers. (Photograph: Chad Tucker)
The next yr, the household returned to the identical resort throughout Dollywood’s opening weekend.Parton’s workforce remembered Pearl Monroe and invited the household to see her once more.Parton requested which little one had battled most cancers. When the household advised her it was Pearl Monroe, she instantly related the younger woman with the story she had heard earlier than.The interplay left a long-lasting impression on Chad.“She was a world icon, however she made you’re feeling like she was in my granny’s kitchen serving cornbread and pinto beans,” he mentioned. “I simply felt calm and cherished round her.”The household additionally had a possibility to thank Parton for her work serving to kids. Chad spoke to her about “Chemo Hero,” a tune she created for youngsters with most cancers.Parton shared that her niece had battled leukemia as a baby and survived, giving the singer one other private connection to Pearl Monroe’s journey.
Pearl Monroe turned her expertise right into a mission
For the Tucker household, Parton’s affect was in the end about greater than music.“She taught us that coronary heart issues,” Chad mentioned.He defined that Parton confirmed Pearl Monroe how vital it’s to look after others and use no matter assets you need to make a distinction.“We don’t let our youngsters idolize individuals,” Chad mentioned. “However we do allow them to look as much as Dolly Parton.”Pearl Monroe has since tried to comply with that instance.She now volunteers and raises cash for childhood most cancers causes. Her expertise additionally helped encourage her household’s “Hero Library,” which gives books to kids present process most cancers therapy.In that manner, the consolation she as soon as obtained by way of Parton’s books has grow to be one thing Pearl Monroe can now assist cross on to different kids.
‘She left us a lot’
Pearl Monroe felt Dolly Parton’s loss deeply, remembering the star who introduced her consolation throughout her leukemia battle. (Photograph: Chad Tucker)
When Pearl Monroe discovered on August 25 that Dolly Parton had died, the loss was deeply private.Her dad and mom gathered their kids after college and shared the information. Whereas their oldest little one was instantly upset, Pearl Monroe was quieter.Then she mentioned one thing that stayed together with her father.“Nicely, I don’t actually really feel like she’s gone as a result of she left us a lot,” Chad recalled her saying.For a kid who as soon as discovered consolation in Parton’s songs whereas preventing most cancers, these phrases mirrored the lasting affect the singer had made on her life.Chad believes that’s in the end the type of legacy Parton leaves behind.“I feel that’s all people’s purpose,” he mentioned. “To reside a life that provides a lot and leaves a lot behind to assist different those that whenever you’re gone, individuals nonetheless really feel you of their hearts.”