The love of a mother and her child is something that goes beyond our understanding. This story is both warm and breaks your heart.
Ruth Scully and her son, Nolan fought a battle together. The young boy was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma when he was just two years old. This was a type of cancer that destroys soft tissue within the body typically starting with muscles connected to the bones which affect the body’s ability to move properly.
Nolan began aggressive treatment as soon as he was diagnosed with cancer. He went to a lot of doctors, had a lot of tests, had a lot of sleepless nights, had to go through painful chemotherapy, and stayed away from other people for fear of contracting a new disease.
For over a year, the young boy and his mother fought off the disease. Until one day, Nolan became too sick to even eat.
Nolan’s parents received the news they had been dreading for the past year during a meeting with the oncologist. The cancer had spread to Nolan’s bronchial tubes, causing breathing problems, only a week after he had open chest surgery. The disease had progressed to the point where it could no longer be treated, and decisions had to be made.
Ruth gathered the courage to go tell Nolan. But his reaction showed the strong faith this little boy had.
She wrote:
Me: Poot, it hurts to breathe doesn’t it?
Nolan: Weeeelll…. yeah.
Me: You’re in a lot of pain aren’t you baby?
Nolan: (looking down) Yeah.
Me: Poot, this cancer stuff sucks. You don’t have to fight anymore.
Nolan: (Pure Happiness) I DONT??!! But I will for you Mommy!!
Me: No Poot!! Is that what you have been doing?? Fighting for Mommy??
Nolan: Well DUH!!
Me: Nolan Ray, what is Mommy’s job?
Nolan: To keep me SAFE! (With a big grin)
Me: Honey … I can’t do that anymore here. The only way I can keep you safe is in Heaven. (My heart shattering)
Nolan: Sooooo I’ll just go to Heaven and play until you get there! You’ll come right?
Me: Absolutely!! You can’t get rid of Mommy that easy!!
Nolan: Thank you Mommy!!! I’ll go play with Hunter and Brylee and Henry!!”
Ruth recounted the events of the last few hours of her son on earth. They sat in bed together, imagining Nolan’s funeral. He selected his pallbearers, specified what he wanted guests to wear, and selected items to be left for his loved ones. Nolan also asked to be remembered as a police officer after he died.
In the last few minutes of Nolan’s life, Ruth described how her son blessed her in an amazing way. Nolan had told his mother that she couldn’t leave his side, but Ruth was desperate to take a quick shower.
Nolan’s uncle came into the room, and Ruth was able to hop in the shower for a few minutes. During this time, Nolan closed his eyes and slipped into a deep slumber. When Ruth came out of the bathroom, she was devastated.
The right lung in Nolan’s chest had collapsed. His oxygen levels were low, and his breathing was difficult. Ruth immediately climbed into bed with her son and swore to never leave his side again. Nolan responded by blessing his mother with a miracle.
Out of nowhere, Nolan woke up and smiled at his mom. He told his mother that he loves her. Nolan passed away at 11:54 p.m. as his mother sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’. Nolan awoke from a coma to tell his mother how much she meant to him. He died a hero who expressed his love until the very last seconds of his life.
Ruth mentioned that she is now terrified to shower after that incident. There is now just an empty rug where her beloved son used to wait for his Mommy. Everyone who has read Nolan’s story knows that he was a fighter and a trooper. He truly lived up to his dream of becoming a police officer.
Despite the short years of his life, Nolan lived it to the full. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” We know that our earthly bodies are passing away and God, in the right time, will restore all things the way they are meant to be.