Brave Little Firefighter BFFs Fight Brain Tumor Fire

Chapter 3 Simulation and Build a bear

Hot shot, Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge all woke up this morning. They were in Cook children's hospital. They were soon going to start treatment for a type of brain cancer called Medulloblastoma. Hot shot, Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge were all a little nervous but ready to be brave. Today was going to be the simulation scan to help them get ready for radiation treatment. They were a little nervous about it too. They were a bit worried what may happen.

They were checked over by the nurses and then they had their breakfast. After breakfast the kids all went to the part of the hospital where the scans were done. They were going to get a scan and make a special mask. They were a little nervous. But they saw each other and were happy to see each other.

Hot shot, Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge were able to meet some other kids there. Many of the kids were there to get a scan. Some of the kids who got their scan where also getting treatment for cancer and had a simulation scan before for radiation therapy.

"Hi I am Caleb I have a brain tumor," Caleb said. "I am here to get a scan, and I got to make a special mask when I had simulation scan," he said.

"Hi I am Jessie and I have cancer in my tummy," Jessie said. "I am here to get a scan and I got to make a special cushion when I had a simulation scan," she said.

"Hi I am Freddie I got a cancer in my leg," Freddie said. "I am here to get a scan and I got to make a special cast like mask covering for my leg when I had a simulation scan," he said.

"Cool," Hot shot said. 

"Wow," Hoist said.

"Impressive," Medix said.

"Amazing," Whirl said.

"Neat," Wedge said.

"I have brain tumor as do my friends here," Hot shot said. "We are here for our simulation scans," he said.

"That's right," Hoist said.

"We sure are," Medix said.

"Yes, that is what we are here for," Whirl said.

"We are going to get one," Wedge said.

"We all just found out about having brain cancer called Medulloblastoma," Hot shot said. "Mine is called Medulloblastoma SHH classic," he said.

"I have the same one," Hoist said.

"I have the exact same type," Medix said.

"I have that too," Whirl said.

"Mine is the very same," Wedge said.

"Dr. Zhao told me Medulloblastoma SHH is one of the more common 4 types of Medulloblastoma," Hot shot said.

"She told me it is the third most common," Medix said.

"My brain tumor is called anaplastic Ependymoma," Caleb said. "Which is a different type of brain tumor," he said.

"I heard you all have brain tumors?" a girl said. "I am Sophie, I have a brain tumor called diffuse astrocytoma," she said. "I am here to get a scan done," she said.

"I have a brain tumor too, mine is Medulloblastoma WNT a rare kind of Medulloblastoma," A boy named Dylan said.

"I have a brain tumor called Medulloblastoma Group 4 one of the more common Medulloblastoma," a girl named Kate said.

"I have a brain tumor that is a type of Medulloblastoma known as group three a very aggressive kind," a boy named Leo said.

Now the kids knew many kids had brain tumors and there were different types of brain tumors. There were even different types of the same type of tumor too.

The kids were all playing and having fun. Then a nurse came back and called them back one by one. The kids were going to make their special masks. They were worried it was going to hurt. They each met the mold room tech Martin. "Hello there are you ready to make you special mask?" Martin asked.

"Is it going to hurt?" each of the kids asked him.

"No it won't hurt," Martin told them. "Here let me show you what will happen," he said. He took each of their stuffed animals. Then took the special plastic mesh. Then dipped in warm water. This mesh was a much small size perfect for stuffed animals. Martin used these to show kids how it is done. Then he stretched the plastic mesh of the animals' faces. Then after a few minutes he took off the made masks. "See that is how it is done," he said.

The kids thought it was pretty cool. Then they allowed Martin to make their masks. The kids stayed very still during when the masks were made. Then the kids were able to get the scans done. These scans were to help the doctors plan where the radiotherapy was going to go and what type of radiation was needed. It was going to help also decide how long they would need radiation too. This was too help with those things. 

The kids soon left the clinic and headed out back to the main part of the hospital. The kids were able to get some lunch. They got it at the Chic-fil-a in the hospital food court. They even got to go to Zooti Frooti the frozen yogurt place which was also in the hospital. 

The kids were able to have a look around the hospital with their parents who were there with them. They were able to see a lot there. They got to look in the gift shop and even went to look in the Build a bear.

The kids all saw each other there. They all grabbed the dragon that looked like the dragon out front. They even got them stuffed and that made them very happy. The kids even chose clothes and accessories for their dragons. They were able to decide what they wanted for their dragon to make it theirs. They were all very happy about this. 

Hot shot, Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge were able to spend time in Hot shot's room and watch a movie. They were able to have some fun and watch a movie together. But soon they all had to go back to their own rooms. But they were happy to spend time together. 

They soon found out when they were going to start radiation. "You are going to start radiation on Monday," Dr. Zhao said. Monday was a few days away but they were ready for it too. 

They were going to start fighting their cancer and they were going to win!