Ruth Scully lost her son just over four months ago — although, it seems that everything happened just minutes ago. Nolan may have lived only four years, but the boy made a big impact during his short time on Earth.
Nolan Scully of Maryland, USA, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, when he was only three years old. Ruth, his mother, documented the whole journey of this brave boy during his last 18 months on his Facebook page. This is how the last days of Nolan’s life went by:
“Two months. Two months since I’ve held you in my arms, heard how much you loved me, kissed those sweetie ‘pie’ lips. Two months since we’ve snuggled. Two months of pure absolute Hell.
I’ve wanted for a long time to write a little about Nolan’s last days. His last few days shined with how amazing my son is. How beautiful he is. How he was made of nothing but pure love. This may be long, but bear with me, it’s agony unlike any other.
When I brought Nolan to the hospital for the last time, I knew there was something else wrong other than just a lingering case of C-DIFF. I just knew, and strange enough, I think he did too. He hadn’t eaten or drank anything in days and was continually vomiting.”
On February 1st, Ruth was told by Nolan’s oncologist that his cancer was not treatable because it had become resistant to all the treatment options. That was when Ruth knew she would have to face the unbearable.
“After a while, I composed myself and went into Nolan’s room. He was sitting in “Mommy’s Red Chair” watching YouTube on his Tablet.
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!!”
After this conversation, Ruth had planned to take Nolan home for a special last night.
“When he woke up we had the van packed and I had his shoes in my hand to take him home for the evening. We just wanted ONE more night together. But as he woke, he gently put his hand on mine and said “Mommy, it’s ok. Let’s just stay here ok?” My 4 year old Hero was trying to make sure things were easy for me…”
For the next 36 hours, they watched YouTube, played and smiled “as many times as they could” — and only an hour before he passed, Nolan completed his ‘will.’
They were lying together when Ruth asked Nolan if she could take a shower because she had to “touch him all the time.”
Nolan answered: ‘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”. He smiled at me. I shut the bathroom door. They said the moment the bathroom door clicked he shut his eyes and went into a deep sleep, beginning the end of life passing”.
When Ruth opened the door, Nolan’s medical team was surrounding his bed and everyone looked at her with tears in their eyes and said, “Ruth, he’s in a deep sleep. He can’t feel anything”.
“She 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’, 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.”
Ruth says her beautiful boy died a hero.
“He brought Communities together, different occupations, made a difference in people’s lives all around the world. All Nolan ever wanted to do was to serve and protect others, he did just that all the way up to his last breath and continues to do so every day. He loved his family fiercely and everyone of his ‘friends!’
