Our Brave Little Firefighter Hot shot and BFFS Vs Brain tumor Fire

Chapter 6

Hot shot was happy to be home. It had been a couple of weeks since he left the hospital. Hot shot still had medicine he needed to take. His parents set timers to remember each time he needed a dose of one of them. They knew of the medicines that were oral chemo will be taken when he starts chemotherapy. But right now he had other he needed to be taking. Some of them were going to help with many things.  Hot shot also had to get his temperature checked regularly to make sure he didn't have a fever. Because if he had a fever he would have to go to the hospital. Hot shot was worried about that. He was worried about many things at the moment. Hot shot was very worried about starting his treatment he was wondering what was going happen.

His first radiation treatment was on Monday. He was very nervous even though he already watched the video on radiation treatment from the imaginary friend society. Hot shot was a bit nervous about it. 

"How long will it take during each treatment?" Hot shot asked.

"Some of the time during the treatment will be done to get you in the right position while you are wearing you mask on the bed. Also some of the time is used getting the radiotherapy machine in the right position. Then the remain part of the treatment will be receiving radiation and you must keep still and it can take about 30 minutes normally," Quickshadow told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said. 

"During radiation you will be in the room all by yourself. That way no one else gets exposed to the radiation," Quickshadow said. "But your doctor, radiotherapist and your father and I can still hear, see and talk to you," she said. 

"Okay," Hot shot said. "But staying still all by myself sounds kind of boring for that long of time," he said.

"Don't worry you can listen to music or hear stories through the speakers during your treatment," Quickshadow said. "They can help make the time go by much faster." she said.

"Oh okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot was feeling better knowing a few more things about his treatment. 

On Monday Hot shot and his mother headed to Cook Children's hospital. Heatwave couldn't come he had to work. But he wished his son good luck and told him that he was very brave. Hot shot was ready but he was wondering if he was brave. 

Hot shot got out of the car as soon as his mother parked it. Hot shot held his mother's hand and they went inside the Dodson specialty clinic. They went to the part where the radiation therapy happens. Hot shot was very nervous and scared. Hot shot saw there were many kids there to receive radiation therapy. Hot shot saw his friends were there too. Hot shot began to spend time with them while waiting for his turn.

"I am a little bit scared," Hot shot admitted.

"I am too," Hoist said.

"I am kind of scared myself," Medix said.

"I am also scared," Whirl said.

"I am pretty scared too," Wedge said.

"I know it doesn't hurt, but this is so new," Hot shot said. "A lot has changed recently," he said. "Mummy says it will continue to change during treatment and even after treatment things won't always be the same," he said.

"I hope it is going to be alright," Hoist said.

"I am worried about that too," Whirl said.

"As am I," Wedge said.

"It is a lot that is going on right now," Medix said. 

Then a nurse came into the room. "Hot shot," the nurse said. It was now Hot shot's turn. Hot shot followed the nurse back. Hot shot saw the radiographer. 

"Hello Hot shot I am Leo I will be your radiographer today," Leo said. "Where are you getting your radiation therapy?" he asked. "We will ask every time you have radiation for safety reasons," he said.

"My head," Hot shot answered pointing at his head. 

"Okay Hot shot come with me," Leo said. Hot shot followed Leo and they made it to a room. There was this big machine in the room. "Hot shot this is the radiotherapy machine." he said.

Hot shot climbed onto the table with a little help from Leo. Then Hot shot laid down on the table. Leo then grabbed Hot shot's masked and snapped it in place. "There you go Hot shot," Leo said. Then Leo moved the bed into position. It felt a bit strange but Hot shot had a feeling he was going to get used to it. Then once the bed was in position, Leo started to move the radiation therapy machine to make sure it was in the right position.  "Okay Hot shot everything is all set," Leo said. "Would you like to listen to music or a story?" he asked.

"Do you have Pokemon music?" Hot shot asked.

"Sure do," Leo said. Then Leo left the room. Hot shot was kind of nervous about being alone. Then the music started as did the machine. Hot shot stayed nice and still during the treatment. Hot shot was being very patient as the treatment was happening. Then after 22 minutes it was over. The music stopped as did the machine. "Okay Hot shot you are all done for today," Leo said. 

Then Leo came in and took of the mask. Hot shot sat up after that. "That wasn't so bad," Hot shot said. 

"You did very well, you are very brave," Leo said.

Hot shot was starting to feel brave. Hot shot was back with his mother. Hot shot and his mother got some lunch on the way home. Hot shot was going to have more radiotherapy tomorrow. "The radiation therapy wasn't so bad now wasn't?" Quickshadow asked.

"No it wasn't," Hot shot said. "The machine made a lot of noise," he said.  "The machine also made a bright light," he said.

"That is normal," Quickshadow said. "Many patients say those things," she said. "But it is nothing to worry about," she said.

Hot shot was happy to be back home after a day of treatment. Hot shot knew things were still going to be very busy. "You are going to have some days where you have an appointment before or after radiation treatment," Quickshadow said. "it will help your team know what is going on and how you are doing," she said. "Because they want to help you make sure you are doing alright," she said. 

"Oh okay," Hot shot said. 

"During your treatments you might need something called a blood transfusion," Quickshadow said. "Because radiation therapy and chemotherapy kill off red blood cells that help give you energy." she said. "A blood transfusion is given to help with that," she said. "But the doctors will tell you and us when you might need one," she said.

"Oh okay," Hot shot said. 

Hot shot was going to keep being brave during his treatment. He knew it was going to be a long road ahead but he was ready for it too.