Brave Little Firefighter BFFs Fight Brain Tumor Fire

Chapter 5 Hair loss and Missing home

Hot shot, Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge were all in the hospital getting treatment for cancer. The type of cancer they had was called Medulloblastoma which is a type of brain cancer. They were getting radiation therapy today. They had been getting it for almost three weeks. They were being very brave. They liked the fact that their radiographer was nice enough to paint their masks to look like characters they liked. The kids were doing well during radiation therapy. They were getting checked over by the doctors to make sure they were doing okay. They were doing just fine. They were glad about that. But they were missing there homes. Hot shot, Hoist, Medix and Whirl were missing their own rooms and their favorite toys and games. Wedge was missing those things too but he was also missing his three older brothers. The kids were missing home a lot and missing their families. Luckily their parents made phone calls so they could talk to their families. That made the kids feel better that they could talk to them. The kids had a pretty busy schedule. They were all busy with their radiation treatments at the moment. They were told they would start chemotherapy after a six week rest period.

They liked going to radiation therapy. They liked seeing everyone there. They liked spending time with each other. They liked seeing the other kids there. They liked to choose whether to listen to music or stories during the radiation treatment. They liked to wear there special masks.

They sometimes got scans during that time. They were doing that to see how treatment is going. It was also done to check on their brains. The kids noticed red sore skin. They were told that was normal. They were told kids with Medulloblastoma like them get radiation to the whole brain and spine. The kids knew they had to do what the doctors said. Because they wanted to get better.

The kids all were feeling the side effects of the radiation. They were feeling tired, weak, had a tummy ache, and the painful red skin. They knew it was only temporary and that it was going to help them. They knew that the next part of treatment would hav its place own side effects.

"You are doing really well," Dr. Grete told the kids. "You are doing just fine during radiation which is good," he said. "Just keep it up," he said.

They soon noticed some of their hair was falling out. They were noticing some hair on their hair brushes and on their pillows. They were surprised about how it started to happen. But they knew it was going to happen so they felt okay about it. The kids were eager to start trying different hats and wigs. They were wondering which option was right for each of them. But they could decide later.

They noticed each other's hair loss too. "I see your hair is falling out too," Hot shot said.

"I think all of our hair is starting to fall out," Medix said.

"True," Hoist said.

"I see it too," Whirl said.

"Yes and I am looking forward to trying all the different things to cover up," Wedge said.

"I am too," Medix said.

"I am also excited about it," Whirl said.

"I am looking forward to it," Hoist said.

"I am eager to try it," Hot shot said.

The kids still had visits from Penny and other people at the hospital. They even got to meet therapy dogs too. They got a fews laughs from some clowns.

They found time to spend together in the playroom and other places. They even got to enjoy the playground. "There are so many fun things to do at this hospital," Hot shot said.

"Yes this is a great place," Hoist said. "But I miss home," he said.

"I think all of us are missing our homes," Medix said. "Penny told me I would be home before I know it." He said

The others had to agree to it.

The kids were almost done with their radiation treatment. They only had the rest of this week to go. They had been doing it for nearly six weeks. So they were all very busy. They were doing well during their treatment.

They all came in for their last radiation treatment. They were glad to be there. They each went back and got it done. They got to take their masks with them to their rooms. "Your mask is so cool Hot shot," Whirl said.

"Yours is neat too Whirl," Hot shot said.

"I like all of our masks," Medix said. "I definitely shows some of the thin we each like," he said.

"That is true," Wedge said.

They were going to rest before having chemotherapy.

Before they did anything else that day they had their lunch. They had it at Chic-fil-a and had a great time too.

Over the next few weeks it was kind of boring. They were still getting check ups from the doctors. They also got scans and a lot of medication. They were all a bit nervous about starting chemotherapy. They all saw each other in the play room. They were all kind of nervous about the next part of treatment.

"I hope it isn't so bad," Hoist said.

"Let's just be brave," Hot shot said.

They agreed with him. They were ready to be brave for the next part and f treatment.