Cook Children's Strong Little Hot shot and BFFs Stuffed animals VS Brain Tumor

Chapter 6

Hot shot was soon going to start chemotherapy. He was pretty nervous about it. Hot shot was wondering what to expect. He was wondering what it was going to be like. So Hot shot watched the video about chemotherapy from the imaginary friend society. Hot shot saw that chemotherapy comes in many different forms. It can be given by mouth, by iv or by central line usually. Hot shot learned how chemotherapy would make him feel sick and tired and it would make his hair fall out. Hot shot felt a bit better after watching the video.

Hot shot was ready to start his chemotherapy. It was now August and he was headed to the hospital to get his first chemotherapy. Hot shot was a bit nervous. Hot shot was ready and he looked at the Hickman line that stuck out of his chest. He knew he was going to be getting his chemotherapy through it. Hot shot was helping his parents get ready. Hot shot had a go bag already packed. The go bag was just in case Hot shot had to go to the hospital.

Hot shot was holding on to Roxy the rhino. He was soon in his booster seat ready to go to the hospital. Hot shot watched as his father put the go bag in the car with him. Hot shot was plenty nervous about this.

Hot shot was ready for the next part of his treatment. Hot shot made it to the hospital. He and his parents got out and got checked in. Hot shot was going to spend a good deal of time in the hospital this time. He was going to spend at least two weeks in the hospital so the doctors could keep an eye on him during his first round of chemotherapy. Hot shot was going to have an 6 days of chemotherapy every three weeks. So Hot shot was going to have come in again after a week at home, since his spending two weeks in the hospital for his first round. Then he will only stay a week after that for the most part. But he was told there was going to be other times when he was going to have to stay longer. Especially if something comes up, or if Hot shot needs to have a planned stay.

Hot shot was taken to his room in the oncology ward. Hot shot was now in his room. Hot shot got settled in. Hot was nice and comfortable too. He was ready to begin his chemotherapy treatment. First a nurse came and took some blood. Hot shot had to wait a bit. After a little bit Hot shot had take medicine. This medicine was to help with side effects of treatment and the symptoms of the brain tumor. Hot shot was now going to have to wait for the chemotherapy medication. "Why do I have to wait for it?" Hot shot asked.

"Because chemotherapy medicine has to be made to order," the nurse explained. "The chemotherapy needs to be made fresh whenever a patient needs it by IV or by central line. If it is by injection or by mouth it normally is already ready to take," he said. "Yours is an IV drip through your Hickman line," the nurse said.

"How long will it take?" Hot shot asked.

"It can take a hour or even the whole day, you might receive more than one medication," the nurse told him.

"I am a bit scared," Hot shot admitted.

"It's okay to feel that way," the nurse said. "Many kids feel that way before starting chemotherapy," he explained. "Just remember how it is going to help you," he told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Then a couple of hours later the nurse came in with a bag of medication. Hot shot figured it must be the chemo. "Okay Hot shot, I got your chemotherapy right here," the nurse told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

The nurse first washed her hands and then set up the pump and IV. Then he watched her wash her hands again. Then she hooked up the IV line to his Hickman line. Then she unclamped the Hickman line and started the pump. "Now you can do what you like." The nurse told him.

"Cool," Hot shot said. Hot shot felt the medicine slowly drip in. It was cold, but it didn't hurt. Hot shot was now wondering what to do now. Hot shot decided to take a walk around the hospital. Hot shot was holding onto the IV pole as he was walking. Hot shot was able to see a few things there. Hot shot saw a few other of the cancer patients there in the hospital.

There were patients who had a different types of cancer. They all needed different treatments and different medications. Hot shot also met many kids who had brain tumors like him. Hot shot was surprised how many kids have brain tumors. He was surprised to say the least. "I am surprised to see how many kids have brain tumors," Hot shot said.

"Hot shot brain tumors are the most common solid cancer in children," Dr. Zhao told him. "13 children at least are diagnosed with a brain tumor every day," she said. "Every year nearly 4,657 are diagnosed here in the USA." She told him. "More the 28,000 children in the USA living with a brain tumor," she told him.

"That is a lot," Hot shot said.

"Yes it is a lot," Dr. Zhao said. "There are more than 100 different types of brain tumors, so it can take a while to make a diagnosis," she told him. "Your brain tumor ATRT is a very rare tumor," she said. "While other tumors are more common," she said. 

"Oh," Hot shot said. "Will I be all better after my treatment?" he asked.

"Hopefully yes," Dr. Zhao said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

"You will be in treatment for a while, and you will still be getting tests done to help with your treatment," Dr. Zhao said. "There is also a chance you may need a clinical trial, which means you might be signed up for it by your parents and then we will use a new medication as part of your treatment," she explained.

"Oh okay," Hot shot said.

"You seem to be doing okay," Dr. Zhao said. "You might get very tired or feel very sick to your stomach," she said. "There are other side effects of chemotherapy which is normal," she said. "But this is your first chemotherapy treatment so you will have a few more days of chemotherapy before having a rest." She told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot did other things while having his first chemotherapy treatment. Hot shot played with his toys, watched tv, watched videos on his tablet and listen to music. Hot shot soon heard a bleep. A nurse came in and disconnected the pump. Then the nurse clamped the line.

"Now you have mor chemotherapy tomorrow," the nurse said. "You will get a different chemotherapy medication but it will still be through your port," he told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was soon going to bed. His mother had to go home. So his father was going to stay with him. He was ready for another day of treatment tomorrow.