Nolan Scully should have been running around playing in his yard, building towers with blocks, and snuggling up for bedtime stories with his mom just like any other two-year-old. But instead, poor Nolan was fighting a battle for his life while he was confined in a hospital bed for days on end. He was just two when he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer.

Although Nolan was a trooper, his mom, Ruth, knew something was wrong when her son could no longer stop vomiting and was too sick to eat or drink for several days in a row. That’s when the doctor broke the news to her that no mother ever wants to hear. Nolan’s cancer had spread and was pushing on part of his lungs making it hard for him to breath. His cancer was no longer treatable and it was only a matter of time.

She knew that she had to have a conversation with Nolan. He deserved to know what was happening. So Ruth headed to talk to Nolan. She asked him, “Poot, it hurts to breathe doesn’t it?” Nolan admitted that it did. “Poot, this cancer stuff sucks. You don’t have to fight anymore,” Ruth said.

Happily, Nolan replied, “I don’t?” But I will for you Mommy.” “No Poot! Is that was you’ve been doing? Fighting for Mommy?” Ruth asked. “Well Duh!” he replied. “Nolan Ray, what is Mommy’s job?” Ruth asked. “To keep me safe,” Nolan replied with a smile.

“Honey, I can’t do that anymore here. The only way I can keep you safe is in Heaven,” said Ruth sadly. “Sooo, I’ll just go to Heaven and play until you get there? You’ll come right?” Nolan asked.

“Absolutely! You can’t get rid of Mommy that easy!” Ruth answered. “Thank you Mommy! I’ll go play with Hunter and Brylee and Henry!” exclaimed Nolan.

Nolan’s last few days on earth were heartbreaking, but Nolan was a trooper. Hospice was in place and his do not resuscitate order had been signed. Ruth and her husband Johnathan watched television with Nolan, shot Nerf guns, and helped Nolan fill out his own will and plan for his funeral.

“He picked out his pall bearers, what he wanted people to wear, what he was leaving each of us, and even wrote down what he wanted to be remembered as, which of course was a policeman,” said Ruth.

But it was Nolan’s very last few minutes that blessed Ruth in a way that she had never imagined. Per Nolan’s orders she was never allowed to leave his side, but she had wanted to take a quick shower.

Nolan’s uncle sat with him while Ruth hopped in the shower. Nolan simply turned toward the bathroom door so he could keep an eye on his mother. But as soon as the door closed, Nolan shut his eyes and drifted off into a coma.

When Ruth came out of the bathroom, the medical team was on hand and explained that his right lung had collapsed, his oxygen levels had dropped, and he was having trouble breathing.

Ruth immediately climbed in bed with him and began singing “You Are My Sunshine” in Nolan’s ear. That’s when Nolan took a breath, opened his eyes, smiled, and said, “I love you Mommy.” Then at 11:54 p.m. Sgt. Rollin Nolan Scully passed away.

Ruth says she wants her son to be remembered as a trooper who loved life and accomplished more in his four years than many accomplish in a lifetime. Keep his story and memory alive by sharing this with your family and friends.