Children's Mercy's Little Firefighter and Best Friends Heart Journey

Chapter 2

Hot shot was feeling pretty okay right now. Hot shot was done recovering from his most recent heart surgery. He was able to be home for the most part. Hot shot was wondering what was going to happen next. Hot shot spent most of his time sitting and doing quiet things. Hot shot still loved to be active. But Hot shot found it hard to be active due to his heart problems. Hot shot wanted to be able to run, jump, climb and play easily. 

Hot shot was having some fun with his parents, a few weeks later. "It is nice to be outside," Hot shot said.

"It sure is," Heatwave said.

Hot shot was able to run around for a short bit. Then he had to come up to his parents to check on his heart. It was what his parents taught him to do. "Okay Hot shot your pulse is a little faster than usual exercise," Quickshadow said. "Anything bothering you?" she asked.

"My chest hurts, and my heart feels like it is pounding," Hot shot said. "My chest feels tight too," he said. 

"Maybe you should take break, you are out of breath," Heatwave said.

Hot shot then sat down with his parents. Then they saw something. Hot shot's color was off and he looked very weak. "Hot shot looks an ashy grey color," Quickshadow said. 

Heatwave felt his forehead. "Hmm no fever," Heatwave said.

"I feel bad," Hot shot said. "I feel sick and weak," he said. "My chest feels weird," he said. 

Quickshadow took out one of the devices used to check Hot shot's heart. Hot shot's pulse was funny and the blood oxygen level was different. Then she took his blood pressure and it was a little different. "I think we should take Hot shot right to Children's Mercy Adele Hall, I think he is having an emergency with his heart problems," Quickshadow said.

"Good idea," Heatwave said. He picked up Hot shot and his favorite stuffed animal and headed for the car with Quickshadow.

Then Hot shot was settled in his booster seat. Heatwave gave Hot shot Roxy the rhino his favorite toy. "We are going to Children's Mercy right now Hot shot so try to hang in there okay?" Heatwave said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot was wondering what was happening and he was scared. 

They made it to Children's Mercy Adele Hall and parked in the parking lot. Then they headed into the hospital. Hot shot was in the ER. He was no stranger too it. Many of the staff knew Hot shot because of his heart problems. Hot shot was taken back to be examined by the ER doctor who called in Hot shot's cardiologist. 

"We need to do some tests," the cardiologist said.

Hot shot had a lot of tests done on him. Hot shot got ones that he has had before done. Blood tests, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray and cardiac catheterization. Hot shot with his heart problems he has done it all before. It was a dance it seemed and he knew all the steps. He was used to it ever since doing it as a baby.

The doctors were looking at the tests. Hot shot's cardiologist came into the room. "I got the results of Hot shot's tests," the cardiologist said. "Hot shot is in heart failure, his heart just can't take it anymore," she said. "Hot shot's best option is a heart transplant," she said.

Hot shot met with a transplant cardiologist. "Okay Hot shot let's take a look and see if you can get a heart transplant," the transplant cardiologist said. 

Hot shot went through all the tests again. He also had to be hooked up to drip of special medicine and be admitted to the hospital. "Hot shot does need a heart transplant and I sent the information over," the transplant cardiologist said. Then a bit later the transplant cardiologist got the call. "Hot shot is approved to be put on the list for a heart transplant, priority 1A I understand," he said. He came into the hospital room where Hot shot was with his parents.

"Well?" Heatwave asked.

"What is the news?" Quickshadow asked.

"Hot shot has been approved to be put on the list for a heart transplant, Hot shot is listed as a 1A which means he is a top priority case for a new heart," the transplant cardiologist said. "Hot shot is going to stay in the hospital because of his condition. Hot shot's heart isn't doing well and he is feeling really sick," he said. "So we need to keep Hot shot here so we can keep an eye on him until his transplant happens," he said.

"What is a heart transplant?" Hot shot asked.

"A heart transplant is where a person's sick heart is taken out and a healthy heart from a donor who has died is put in," the transplant cardiologist explained. 

"Oh," Hot shot said. "how will I be alive when my heart is taken out to make room for the new heart?" he asked.

"You will be put on a bypass machine just like for when you had your other heart surgeries," the transplant cardiologist explained. 

"Oh," Hot shot said. "When will I get my new heart?" he asked.

"Hard to say Hot shot, it could be a few days, weeks, or longer," the transplant cardiologist said. "You are on the list as top priority so it should be soon," he told him. "So try to be patient and we are going to take good care of you here while you wait for your new heart," he told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said. 

Hot shot was worried about what might happen. He was wondering how long he was going to have wait in the hospital. He was wondering about many things. But he wasn't as worried when he saw his good friends were also in the hospital. He was surprised when he found out they needed new hearts too. Hot shot hope the he and his friends were going to get their new hearts very soon.