I’ve had the privilege and honor to meet families from all walks of life. I’m impacted in a different way by each of my patients but I love them all the same, with all my heart.
“JBF Talks” to Nicole Pierre, mom of one of our Angels, Nathan Osei Brown
In 2015 I met Nathan, an amazing boy whose life and death affected me in a profound manner. His family has become my family, and his mom is one of my dearest friends and a great support to the JBF.
Nicole: "Nathan was born on July 12th, 2000. He was the 2nd of three children, and the only boy. He was intelligent and the healthiest eater in the family so his chubby size never bothered me until he started to complain of back pains in late 2011.
After many doctor visits and a series of tests, he was warded on the JBF SU to have a biopsy done on a tumor found on his lower spine. The days that followed were the longest and hardest days for me. He was unable to walk, so I stayed by his side in his hospital room. I had no idea what the future had in store for me.
Chevaughn would often knock on the door to check on us. Sometimes I scolded her for coming. The fact that she was there meant cancer to me and that’s what I didn’t want to hear- then, the results were back. Nathan had ‘Malignant Schwannoma’ – Cancer of the connective tissue surrounding nerves. I didn’t think this was the end because I always put my trust in God. So with a brave heart, my journey to beat cancer with Nathy began.
We looked forward to visits from his dad and sisters and when they left, it was back to the family we built with the other cancer patients and their parents.
One day in December, Nathan’s dad Michael and the girls came to visit in the evening and I happily told them Nathan was coming home. Chevaughn asked if he had a wish list and Nate asked for paper and a pen. He wrote: a smart phone, a pair of pants, a jersey, a Christmas tree, a remote control truck, and a giant-sized teddy bear that he eventually named Mr. Noel- his wish list was filled by Chevaughn. Nathan also got to meet former Prime Minister, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who presented him with a laptop.
I often told Nathy I fed off of his strength and he would smile and tell me he loved me “infinity times infinity.” On Christmas Day he helped peel potatoes while he lay on his bed. I was thankful he made it through Christmas.
He began to plan an event for carnival. Unknown to us he made calls to family and friends asking for donations. He even did his menu. He knew he couldn’t go to see blue devils so he wanted them to come home. That day is still very memorable, with the video even being posted on YouTube.
By March of the following year, Nathan had gotten smaller and was in constant pain. I really wanted to take him back to Mt. Hope, but my twelve year old son looked at me and said “I am not going back to get needles in my hand, and mom, the day I was born Jesus knew the day I would die.” That comment shook me.
I knew God was in control, but I am only human and I didn’t want to lose my son. On March 14th 2014 a voice in my head told me it was going to be all right and I cried for the first time since his diagnosis. On the 15th Nathan woke up, his voice practically gone but yet he smiled and told us he dreamt that a bird landed in front the door with a broken wing and he walked, yes, walked and fixed her wing and she flew away.
He was so happy that he walked (even though it was in a dream), he asked to go for a drive. That evening we were all in a maxi heading to Maracas- only for the maxi to overheat. Then and there I held Nathan in my arms and kissed his cheek a million times until we got back home.
On March 16th, he requested no visitors so the door was kept closed. He asked if Aunty Chevaughn could come and he was happy when she said yes. While we waited, there was a knock on the door. It was the men’s group from Paramin church so he smiled and said they can come. They prayed with him and he sang along with them. When Chevaughn arrived, they chatted for a while and eventually, he began having difficulty breathing. Chevaughn called his dad to come home and I told his sisters to come and tell him that they love him. Khadisha, the older one, hugged and kissed him and told him to ask God for one more day. Precious, his younger sibling also hugged and kissed him and told him she loved him.
A teardrop was in his eye, I wiped it and I told him it’s okay. As he listened to the song ‘Break Every Chain’ my son met his Creator that day. Today, I still put my trust in God. He loaned me Nathan and I learnt a lot from him and his experience, I have since been blessed with a grandson. Nathan may not be here anymore but he’ll always have a place in my heart."
Nathan was truly a special boy. He loved his sisters dearly. In his mind he was their big brother and would chide his older sister for coming home late. He made sure the younger one did her homework before playing games on the computer. I was also repremanded when he pointed out that a skirt I was wearing was ‘inappropriate’. Nathan had a smile that would capture hearts, and a faith in God that went far beyond his years. Being there to witness his transition from this life to the next will forever be etched in my soul.