Fireproof family with heart

Chapter 7

Heatwave and Quickshadow were so happy to have Hot shot doing well so far. However things began to change again. Hot shot wasn't doing well at the moment and he was having hard time. He was feeling out of breath and feeling bad. "Mummy, daddy I feel terrible," Hot shot said.

"I know you do," Heatwave said. "We are taking you to your cardiologist in Texas children's right now," he said. "We want to see if the problem is with your heart," he said. 

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was taken to Houston immediately by his parents. He was feeling very unwell. Hot shot was cuddling Roxy the rhino the whole time. He was feeling so sick and bad. He was just wanting Roxy for comfort. 

They made it to Texas Children's shortly after going through the ground bridge. Hot shot was feeling so sick. He just didn't have a lot of energy. His parents brought him into the ER. A doctor saw them right away. Along with a cardiologist.

They did all the tests they normally did on Hot shot such as an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. Hot shot was staying very still. He had no trouble with it, he was used to it. Then the doctors did a cardiac catheterization. Hot shot had to be sedated for that so it wouldn't be painful for him. They wanted Hot shot's to be as comfortable as possible. Hot shot's catheterization was giving his doctors an idea of what his heart was doing.

Then Hot shot came too a bit later with a big bandage on his leg. "I got the results of Hot shot's tests Hot shot's heart is in a bad state and it can't take what it is doing anymore nor is he tolerating the altered blood flow anymore. This is causing heart failure." Dr. Riley said. "Hot shot's only hope is a heart transplant," he said.

"Oh dear," Quickshadow said. 

"I understand," Heatwave said.

Then they met Dr. Dreyer a transplant cardiologist. "Hello I am Dr. Dreyer, Hot shot is in need of a heart transplant." Dr. Dreyer said. "I am going to see if we can get Hot shot on that list," he said.

Hot shot had the same tests as before and that included chest x-rays and the other tests he had that day. Then Dr. Dreyer sent off the information and the people got back with him. Hot shot was listed as priority 1A and Hot shot was going to have to stay in the hospital.

Hot shot knew most of his care team but now he had Dr. Dreyer and Dr. Adachi on his team. They were going to help. Hot shot was going to need more help until the transplant.

"What is a heart transplant?" Hot shot asked Dr. Dreyer a bit later.

"A heart transplant is when a patients sick or failing heart is removed and replaced with a healthy donor heart from someone who has died," Dr. Dreyer explained. "The donor has to be the same size, and blood type as the recipient and can't be too far." he said. "A lot of factors play into the heart transplant process," he said. "But once you get one you will feel so much better," he said.

"Will I be able to run, jump, climb and play after I get a heart transplant?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes, but you need to be completely healed first," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Can I do sports?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes but you have to be completely healed and cleared first," Dr. Dreyer told him.

"Can I return to school?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes but you need wait three months post transplant before you do," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Can I go out in public and do fun things like the mall and zoo?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes but be sure to wear a mask for the first three months," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Can I spend time with my friends?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes so long as they are not sick, and if you go to their houses make sure no one in the house is sick," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Can I go home?" Hot shot said.

"After the first three months you can go home," Dr. Dreyer said. "You will need to keep coming for follow up treatments for the rest of your life," he said.

"Will I have to take medicine?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes and some of the medicine you will take for the rest of your life," Dr. Dreyer told him.

"Is it going to be normal to feel big feelings about this?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes it is and be sure to talk about your feelings too," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Will I be able to find out about who I got the heart from and be in contact with the family?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes many donor family's and organ recipients stay in contact with each other," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Is it okay to feel bad that I get to live when someone else has to die to for me to be healthy?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes but remember their family gave you that heart," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. "Will I have to stay in the hospital?" he asked.

"Yes, you will need to stay here until you get your transplant like some patients and like all patients stay 2 to 4 weeks after transplant most likely to make sure you are doing okay," Dr. Dreyer said. "So you might need to be here for a while," he said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. "I feel better now that my questions are answered." he said.

"I am glad I could help," Dr. Dreyer said.

Hot shot was admitted to the hospital and moved to a hospital room in Legacy tower. Hot shot was used to staying there. Hot shot's parents called the Burns family and their families telling them Hot shot was going to need a heart transplant. They also told them Hot shot was going to need to stay in Texas Children's hospital for a while and they were going to be out of state for a while. They also called Hot shot's school and telling them Hot shot wasn't going to be there for a while and the reason why. Everyone was supporting them and hoping for the best. 

Hot shot was going to be brave in waiting for his new heart.