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

Chapter 4

Hot shot had just received a heart transplant. Hot shot was still under the anesthesia. Heatwave and Quickshadow were there. They were so relieved that Hot shot got his heart transplant. But it was also kind of sad because they knew another family lost their child. But they were happy Hot shot was doing well after his transplant.

Hot shot was beginning to wake up. He saw his parents were there and looking at him. "Hello Hot shot," Heatwave said.

"You're heart transplant was a success," Quickshadow said. "You are going to be okay now," she said.

Hot shot couldn't talk at the moment because there was a tube in his mouth. But he was very happy to see his parents to say the least. He felt much better, but he also felt very sore and tired. Hot shot saw nurses coming in and out to check on him. Hot shot was used to being covered with a lot of tubes and wires. He has experienced it several times.

Hot shot was also used to having the tube in his mouth. Hot shot was wondering when he was going to be feeling better after his heart transplant. Because at the moment he was feeling super sore.

His cardiologist and transplant cardiologist came to check on Hot shot. "Okay Hot shot you are looking very good," the cardiologist said.

"Hot shot your heart transplant went well, it will be a while before you feel like running around, but soon you will have a lot more energy and feel stronger too," the transplant cardiologist told him.

Hot shot spent a few days in the CICU. Hot shot was feeling a lot better now and had a lot of the tubes and wires removed. Hot shot had started taking his antirejection meds. Hot shot was now moved to the step down unit.

"I am feeling better," Hot shot said.

"That is good to hear," Quickshadow said. "I am glad you are feeling better," she said.

"I feel a lot stronger now," Hot shot said. "I feel like I have more energy," he said.

"That is good to hear," the cardiologist said. "But you need to be careful of your chest and not use the muscles in the chest area because there is a lot of healing going on there, it will be three months before it is fully healed." he said. "Then in about 6 months to a year you should be considered stable from a transplant stand point of your medications," he said.

"Wow," Hot shot said. "Will I be able to go to Kindergarten?" he asked. Hot shot had missed some of Kindergarten while in the hospital. He was eager to go to school.

"You should be able to yes," The cardiologist said.

"Oh boy," Hot shot said. He was very happy to hear that. He was really looking forward to it too.

Hot shot was able to move to a regular hospital room. Hot shot was able to go to a hotel with his parents a few days later. Hot shot and his parents had to stay close during the first three months after Hot shot's heart transplant.

Hot shot took all of his medicine without a fight. Hot shot also had to see the doctors there on a regular basis.

Hot shot was doing very well after his heart transplant. Hot shot was feeling more energetic than before. "I feel great," Hot shot said.

"We are glad you are feeling better," Quickshadow said.

"We are happy you have more energy now too," Heatwave said.

"I want to know who gave me the heart?" Hot shot asked.

"Your heart belonged to a five year old boy named Tony," Heatwave told him. "Tony died because of an abusive babysitter," he said.

"Is it possible to meet Tony's family and give the something special?" Hot shot asked.

"That can be arranged," Quickshadow said.

Hot shot finished his last three month post transplant check up. Hot shot was still going to need to see them on a regular basis.

Hot shot went out and got something special for Tony's family. They got everything ready were looking forward to meeting them.

Tony's parents came into the room. They saw Hot shot. They got to listen to Tony's heart beating in Hot shot's chest. "It's so strong," Tony's mother said.

Tony's father even teared up when he heard his son's heartbeat in Hot shot's chest.

"I got something for you," Hot shot said. He gave them a build a bear.

They squeezed the paw and there was a beating of a heart. "It's Tony's heartbeat," Quickshadow said.

"Thank you so much," Tony's mother said.

"We are grateful that your son is doing well and  we know giving his organs for donation is what Tony would've wanted, he wanted to be a doctor more than anything," Tony's father said. "He wanted to save lives like a real doctor," he said. "Now he got to do what he wanted, he saved four lives, including your son," he said.

"We are glad you made that choice and choosing to do so after what happened must've been hard," Heatwave said. "We will cherish your gift of life to Hot shot for a long time," he said.

The families took a picture together.

Hot shot was getting stronger and stronger. He was looking forward to more.