When it first started, everybody thought that it was just a cold. It wasn’t long, however, before the situation became critical and days grew into weeks. His parents and others began worrying so they took their child to the doctor and received the worst news that parents could ever hear. Ruth & Jonathan Scully were told that their three-year-old son was suffering from an aggressive type of cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma. His name is Nolan and this is his story.
It was in September 2015 that his parents thought he had a cold because his nose was stuffed up. It wasn’t long before he had problems breathing and the medicine was not doing anything. After two months, the doctors found a blockage in his airways. It was a tumor.
Nolan had a rare form of cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma. It is unfortunate, but this type of cancer is unable to be treated because of its high level of resistance.
Ruth wanted others to see the reality of what was taking place because of this disease. She shared a picture of Nolan, who was sleeping on the floor in the bathroom. Even when his mother was taking a shower, he did not want to leave her side.
Nolan began getting weaker after he started going through treatment. The cancer was no longer contained to a single tumor but it had spread through his body. After the cancer has spread out to that degree, it reduces the likelihood that the sufferer could survive. Young Nolan only had a 20% chance at that point.
His mother wanted to document the final months of his life.
Nolan was throwing up constantly and he hadn’t eaten for days. He was taken to the hospital for the final time when he was in that state.
The Final Days
Nolan’s mother described the final days in the hospital in a Facebook post:
“I sat down with him and put my head up against his and had the following conversation:
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!!”
Nolan slept for the majority of the next few days. His parents thought that they were going home for the last night together but after packing, Nolan grabbed her hand and said that it was okay if she stayed at the hospital.
“My 4 year old Hero was trying to make sure things were easy for me….,” Ruth writes on Facebook.
The mom continues:
“About 9:00pm we were watching YouTube in bed (Peppa Pig actually) and I asked Nolan if I could get in the shower, as I was not allowed to leave him and Mommy had to be touching him at all times.
He said ‘Ummmm ok Mommy. Have Uncle Chris come sit with me and I’ll turn this way so I can see you.’
I stood at the bathroom door, turned to him and said ‘Keep looking right here Poot, I’ll be out in two seconds.’
I ran and jumped into bed with him and put my hand on the right side of his face. Then a miracle that I will never forget happened….
My angel took a breath, opened his eyes, smiled at me and said ’I love you mommy’.
He turned his head towards me and at 11:54 pm Sgt. Rollin Nolan Scully passed away as I was singing ‘You are My Sunshine’ in his ear.”
The little boy woke up one last time, gathered his strength and told his mom he loved her. What a little hero.
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