Our Brave Little Firefighter Hot shot and BFFS Heart Journey

Chapter 3

Hot shot now five years old has had 13 things done to his heart. Hot shot was used to getting things done to his heart. But he was very brave. Hot shot would bring Roxy the rhino to his appointments. Having Roxy helped him feel super brave. Hot shot loved that he could have Roxy go first when it came to having tests or check ups. It made Hot shot feel more confident about that. Hot shot was hoping things were going to keep going well for him.

However today when Hot shot was out playing he wasn't feeling well. He was noticed he was getting out breathe much quicker than he normally does. He was tired too and felt sick. He decided to talk to his mother.

"Mummy I feel bad and tired," Hot shot said panting.

Quickshadow figured it must be a problem with Hot shot's heart and decided to make a call to his cardiologist Dr. Riley. "Hello Dr. Riley Hot shot isn't feeling too good and I did some tests here and I think his heart is giving him trouble again," Quickshadow said.

"I understand," Dr. Riley said. "Bring Hot shot in today, and I will see him as soon as possible," he said.

"Thank you Dr. Riley," Quickshadow said and then hung up. "Hot shot keep your shoes on I have to take you to see Dr. Riley he is going to find out why your heart is making you feel poorly again," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot grabbed Roxy and got ready to go. Hot shot was also bringing his tablet to help play on the heart rhino app. Hot shot pressed buttons about how his heart rhino Roxy on the app was feeling. It showed the rhino not feeling well.

Once at the hospital Hot shot and his mother went into legacy tower. Hot shot was ready to be brave and see Dr. Riley. Hot shot was wondering why he wasn't feeling well at all. Hot shot saw one of the nurses in Legacy tower approach them. "Hello Hot shot why are you here today?" The nurse asked.

"Not feeling well," Hot shot said panting a bit.

"He is having problems with his heart again and Dr. Riley is going to see him today," Quickshadow said.

"I am sorry to hear that, well hopefully Dr. Riley will know what is wrong with his heart," the nurse said.

Hot shot was soon in the heart center clinic.  He saw there were many kids there today. Hot shot was waiting to see his cardiologist Dr. Riley. Hot shot was used to seeing Dr. Riley. Hot shot was holding on to Roxy the rhino. Hot shot saw his friends were there. Hot shot was wondering what was going to happen now. 

Then a bit later a nurse came out. "Hot shot," the nurse said. It was now Hot shot's turn. Hot shot was ready to see his pediatric cardiologist. Hot shot was going to be very brave. Hot shot had all of his vitals checked by the nurse. "Okay Hot shot Dr. Riley will see you shortly," the nurse said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was wondering what was going to happen this time. He thought it might be the usual electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, along with his pulse and blood pressure being checked. He was wondering if Dr. Riley would think he would need surgery again. But Hot shot felt dizzy very quickly.

"You okay?" Quickshadow asked.

"Who's making the room spin?" Hot shot asked.

"Sounds like you're dizzy," Quickshadow said. "Just try to relax okay," she said.

Then Hot shot got his electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Then got a test of his blood pressure and pulse and blood oxygen levels. Then Dr. Riley came into the room a bit later to look at Hot shot. "Okay I looked at Hot shot's tests and I am seeing now this is a cause for concern," Dr. Riley said.

Then another doctor came into the room. This doctor was Dr. Dreyer head of the heart failure and heart transplant program. "I am Dr. Dreyer," Dr. Dreyer said.

"We took a look at Hot shot's tests and they confirm Hot shot is in heart failure," Dr. Riley said. "Hot shot's heart failure is very serious," he said.

"Hot shot's only option due to how bad it is and how he has had previous surgeries, and that option is a heart transplant," Dr. Dreyer said. "Hot shot's heart is failing due to the fact that his heart can't take much more punishment from surgery and it is swelling up in size, also his heart is mostly scar tissue due to all the surgery he had, his heart is unable to continue well," he said. "The only option left is to get Hot shot a heart transplant," he said.

"What is a heart transplant?" Hot shot asked.

"It is where a sick and failing heart is taken out and a new healthy heart from a donor is put in it's place." Dr. Dreyer said. "Then the person who receives the heart can become healthy again," he said. 

"Will I be able to run, jump, climb and play after it is done?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Will I be able to play sports?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes," Dr. Dreyer said.

"Will I be able to go to school when I start Kindergarten?' Hot shot asked.

"Yes," Dr. Dreyer said. "You will be able to do all those things once you are at least three months out from transplant," he said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. 

"We will do the same tests you had earlier today all over again to help place you on the list for transplant," Dr. Dreyer said. "Once you are approved to get a transplant you will be placed on the list," he said. "Then we can find out where you can be placed on the list and that can help us provide you with the best care until you get your new heart," he said. 

"Do I need other tests to see if I need to be put on the list?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes you will need a blood test and a cardiac catheterization," Dr. Dreyer said. "You will even need a chest x-ray," he said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was ready for it too. Hot shot got his second electrocardiogram of the day, then he also got an echocardiogram. Hot shot got his blood test and did well for it. Then Hot shot got his cardiac catheterization he was asleep when it happened. When he woke up he got his chest x-ray.

Then Hot shot was admitted to the hospital. Dr. Dreyer wanted to keep a close eye on him. Then Dr. Dreyer got a call. "Hot shot's been approved to get a heart transplant great, priority 1A got it," Dr. Dreyer said. "Thank you so much," he said.

Hot shot was getting an IV to help his heart. Hot shot offered his left hand and the nurse stuck the needle in once she found a good vein. Then Hot shot was hooked up to the drip. Hot shot was now in the heart failure ICU. Quickshadow was with him. She called Heatwave and told him what was going on. He told her to keep him posted. 

Dr. Dreyer came into the room. "Hot shot has been approved to get a transplant he is priority 1A which means he is on the top priority part of the list," Dr. Dreyer said. "So hopefully soon he will get his new heart," he said.

"Great," Quickshadow said.

Hot shot saw his friends Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge were there too. "I need a heart transplant," Hot shot said. 

"I need one too," Hoist said.

"I need one as well," Medix said.

"I also need one," Whirl said.

"I also need one too," Wedge said.

"I hope all of us get our new hearts soon," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was going to have to stay in the hospital for awhile. His father came to the hospital and brought some of Hot shot's things from the house. Hot shot then with his mother's help put in the his rhino on the app was in heart failure and was going to get a heart transplant. Then Hot shot put an IV on the rhino in the app. The rhino was in a hospital room and there was a button that said begin transplant. 

"We will do it once you get your transplant," Quickshadow said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was hoping to soon get his new heart.