Little Firefighter Warrior and BFFs Heart Journey

Chapter 2

Hot shot was now five years old. Hot shot has had a few operations done on his heart when he was small. Today he was going to the hospital. He had another open heart surgery coming up. It was to help get rid of more tissue growing over his valves, to place an artificial valve and to fix a slight tear that happened to a former repair. Hot shot was looking forward to seeing his doctors and care team there. Hot shot was glad they were there and he was looking forward to getting to see them again.

Hot shot was helping his parents pack everything they needed to go to the hospital. Hot shot was making sure he had his favorite toy Roxy the rhino. Hot shot took her almost everywhere. He liked to take her whenever they went to the hospital. Hot shot was used to going to Texas Children's hospital, he went there not only for surgeries. But Hot shot also went there whenever he was having heart problems and needed observation. 

Hot shot knew this time was for surgery and he had to go. The surgery was to help his heart work better again. Hot shot was ready to get going. He packed the things he was going to pack. Hot shot packed things so he was going to be comfortable in the hospital after his surgery.

Hot shot and his parents got into the car and headed to Texas Children's hospital. Hot shot was looking forward to seeing his care team there. Hot shot was almost done with his packing. Hot shot was making sure he had all he needed to bring. Hot shot had his plush rhino Roxy. Hot shot took Roxy everywhere with him. He wanted to make sure he brought her along. She came to the hospital with him when it came time for a stay, or check up, or surgery. Hot shot made sure to bring her with him so he would have some comfort. Hot shot was even bringing his stuffed animal versions of the heart series characters from Texas Children's Ruby and Beau.

Hot shot and his parents headed to the hospital. Once there Hot shot got admitted into Legacy Tower which was the part of the hospital where the heart center was. Hot shot got tests done that day. Hot shot was very busy with it too. Hot shot was glad it was going well too. Hot shot was used to these tests and was happy to cooperate for them.

Then a few days later Hot shot was ready for his heart surgery. Hot shot didn't eat anything since last night. He knew he had to have an empty stomach. Hot shot was taken into the operation room. Hot shot was going to get special medicine air to breathe in to make him fall asleep. Hot shot got to choose the smell for his air. Hot shot chose it to smell like strawberries. Hot shot breathed in the medicine air and he fell asleep. 

The Dr. McKenzie his regular heart surgeon went right to work at repairing Hot shot's heart once again. Hot shot was doing really well in surgery. Then after 6 hours the surgery was all finished. Hot shot's chest was closed and he had big bandage on his chest. Hot shot was hooked up to many wires and tubes. Hot shot was then taken to the CICU to be monitored. 

Heatwave and Quickshadow were used to seeing Hot shot covered in tubes, wires and all kinds of machinery. They knew that was to be expected from a child who's defect require regular surgery. Hot shot woke up a bit later.

Hot shot felt sick and tired. He also felt quite sore. He saw his parents were there and they were smiling at him. "You did well during surgery Hot shot," Heatwave said. 

"Yes you are a brave little boy," Quickshadow told him.  Hot shot was still needing a lot of care for the next few days. 

After a few days Hot shot was feeling a whole lot better. Hot shot was glad to be rid of a lot of that machinery. "I am glad to have most of that off," Hot shot said. "But I kind of feel naked without them," he said.

"Yes you kind of do look naked without them," Quickshadow said. "But it means your heart is doing fine and you are going to be just fine," she said.

Hot shot was feeling better and soon moved to the cardiac unit on the 22nd floor. Hot shot was able to rest up there for several more days. Hot shot even able to go to the playroom sometimes and play with the other children. Then Hot shot was able to go home a few days later.

Hot shot was happy to be home again. Hot shot had to be careful for the next several weeks because his chest needed time to heal. Hot shot was more than happy to do so because he was very tired from the surgery still. Hot shot was going to need time to rest and regain his strength.

Hot shot still had to visit his regular cardiologist Dr. Ansah to make sure things were going alright for him. Hot shot was a feeling stronger after his surgery. "You may need more surgery in the future Hot shot," Quickshadow said. "That is the way it is for kids with heart defects," she said.

"Okay mummy," Hot shot said. Hot shot accept what his mother said. He knew his mother and father did a lot of research on kids with heart defects. Hot shot was glad he had this surgery. He was hoping he would have some better improvements than last time so he could play more. He was unable to to play as much as he wanted to because of his condition. He was hoping he could play the way he wants too. Soon things were about to take a major turn for Hot shot.