On Thursday, Shaymus and his father, WIU Professor and Head Women's Soccer Coach Tony Guinn, rolled into town on Amtrak. Tony's entire team awaited their arrival, cheering.

As the father and son exited the train, the team sang for Shaymus' 10th birthday.

"Dad, my face hurts," Shaymus said.

"Well, why does your face hurt," Tony replied, fearing that a steroid medication was to blame.

"I've never smiled like this before," the boy replied.

Shaymus is in town this weekend to celebrate his birthday, visit the community he misses, and to premier a special project he's been working on while undergoing his treatments.

Shaymus' seven-painting art show opened at Adams Street Coffee on Friday.

The coffee shop is selling prints of Shaymus' art, helping to raise money for his ongoing treatments. According to shop owner Mark Bloom, about half of the 150 prints have been sold. The show runs through mid March. Bloom said he was honored to host the show. When Shaymus lived in Macomb, he and his father would come into the shop every day after school for an M&M cookie.

"You talk about a unique and inspiring person, Shamus Guinn has beaten the odds and won our affection," Bloom said. "He's got talent and he's got courage. That's an interesting combination that I think we should all treasure. It's such a neat story. Shamus really brought this community together. He's brought out the best in us. Obviously, he can bring out the best in himself."

The art, as most say, is amazingly intricate and complex for a 10-year-old. Shaymus uses several different original styles to portray landscapes, scenes and wildlife through his eyes.

"Once you point out who the artwork was produced by, and at what age, their interest shoots through the roof," Bloom said. "You know he doesn't feel well when he's going through these treatments. He can still see the world as a beautiful place, and have a nice place inside himself to go to, and share it with us as well."

It's not the first fundraiser Bloom has held for Shaymus. When he was diagnosed, the shop sold green coffee sleeves, raising $5,000.

Tony said Shaymus began doing art very young. As he got older, one of Tony's assistant soccer coaches, Mariana Sanchez, began tutoring Shaymus in Spanish and art. From there, his talent has bloomed.

"For Shaymus to have an outlet in art is phenomenal," Tony said. "It takes him to a different place. You would wonder how a kid who is losing all his hair, his eyebrows, his fingernails, his toenails, and hasn't eaten in 17 days, can draw such beautiful things, or even have the desire to do it. That was his therapy. That was his outlet."

An indication of his son's art, Tony said Shaymus has a deep vision of the world.

"I think that Shaymus is 10 years old going on 50," he said. "I think his perspective in life is totally different than any kid his age. You think about how everything has been taken away from him. His home, his community, his school, his teachers, his friends. I always tell him that no matter what happens to us, no one can take away your mind and your heart. He still has his."

A humble boy, Shaymus blushes when asked how it feels to become a an acclaimed artist.

"It's really exciting," he said. "I guess I don't know what to say."

During his opening, he was surrounded by Tony's players as he opened gifts and greeted guests. While he was preoccupied entertaining the crowd, his father snuck up to the counter, ordering an M&M cookie.

Tony said he wanted to thank Best Western in Macomb for their hospitality during Shaymus's stay, along with the community, the WIU athletic department, Adams Street Coffee and his team for their support.

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