Two months after losing her four-year-old son, a mother bravely shared her experiences on Facebook, reflecting on his final days. Ruth Simmons, who created the “NolanStrong” page to document her son’s battle with rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare form of soft tissue cancer—finally found the courage to articulate her grief. Nolan was diagnosed in November 2015 and tragically passed away on February 4th, 2017.
Sharing Love and Joy in the Face of Grief
In her poignant post, Ruth took the time she needed to gather her thoughts before sharing the overwhelming love and joy her son radiated, even in his last moments. “I’ve longed to share about Nolan’s final days. They shone with his incredible spirit and beauty. He was pure love incarnate. This is a difficult journey, but please, read on,” she wrote.
Heartfelt Conversations
Ruth vividly recounted their last conversations, including a moment when Nolan told her he was fighting for her. She gently reassured him that it was okay to let go, an exchange filled with both heartbreak and happiness. “Me: Poot, this Cancer stuff sucks. You don’t have to fight anymore. Nolan: (Pure Happiness) I DONT??!! But I will for you Mommy!!”
The Last Breath
Just days after enjoying simple pleasures like watching Peppa Pig and playing Nerf guns, Nolan passed away, leaving behind a powerful legacy. Ruth described the moment he took his last breath, waking from a coma just long enough to express his love for her. “My angel took a breath, opened his eyes, smiled at me and said, ‘I Love You Mommy,’ before slipping away,” she recalled, heartbroken yet grateful for that fleeting moment.
A Call to Action
Ruth’s post serves not only as a tribute to her son but also as a call to action to address the significant gaps in childhood cancer research and treatment. With nearly 100,000 children under 15 losing their lives to cancer each year, she emphasized the urgent need for more funding and better treatment options. “Because of childhood cancer, we are losing someone so full of love who only wanted to protect and serve,” she lamented.
Nolan’s Legacy
Nolan’s dreams of becoming a policeman will never be realized, but through Ruth’s heartfelt sharing, his story is reaching thousands, raising awareness for the cause. As Ruth poignantly noted at the end of her post, the photo she shared captures a moment when Nolan was too afraid to leave her side, illustrating the profound bond they shared. “Now I’m the one terrified to shower, with an empty bath mat where my beautiful boy once lay waiting for me.”
Support for the Family
For those interested in supporting the family and contributing to their ongoing medical expenses, donations can be made through Nolan’s GoFundMe page.
Additional Resources
To learn more about the journey of home insemination and fertility options, check out this insightful resource from WebMD. Also, if you’re considering at-home insemination methods, you can explore options like the Cryobaby at home insemination kit and the at-home intracervical insemination syringe kit for fertility boost.
Conclusion
In summary, Ruth Simmons’s powerful tribute to her son Nolan highlights the unbreakable bond between mother and child, while also advocating for much-needed advancements in childhood cancer care.
Leave a Reply