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

Chapter 9

Hot shot was soon going to start his chemotherapy. He was very nervous about that. He was worried what was going to happen. He was very nervous and scared. He was worried what it was going to be like. Hot shot knew he was going to be taking it more than one way and that made him worry a bit. He was kind of nervous about it. 

"Is everything alright poppet?" Quickshadow asked.

"I am kind of scared about starting chemotherapy," Hot shot told her.

"That is perfectly normal," Quickshadow said. "It is something new and you don't know what to expect," she said. "Chemotherapy really isn't as scary as you think it is," she said. "But it is okay to be worried about it," she said.

Hot shot watched the video about chemotherapy to learn about it. Hot shot learned that it was okay to be nervous and lots a kids feel that way in the beginning. He just has to remember that chemotherapy is a medicine that will help him in the long run. He learned that chemotherapy destroys cancer cells and stops their growth. He learned it comes in many forms but is normally given by central line, by IV or by pill. He learned after chemotherapy he might get an upset stomach but he will be given medicine to make him feel better. He will also lose his hair, he was already losing some of his hair so he was going to lose more of it. He also learned that he will feel sleepy after chemotherapy. He learned his parents will need to look after him closely after chemotherapy. Hot shot felt better after watching the video. 

Now that he knew more about it, chemotherapy didn't sound so scary at all. In fact it just sounded kind of weird. Hot shot was ready to be brave and start his chemotherapy.  Hot shot was happy now that he understood.

Today Dr. Zhao called Heatwave and Quickshadow. "Hot shot needs to stay in the hospital for a while when he first starts chemotherapy," Dr. Zhao said. "He is going to be there for at least three weeks," she said. "He should be home for Christmas," she said. 

"We understand thank you for telling us," Quickshadow said. "I know his first chemotherapy is in a week. When do you want us to bring him in?" she said.

"I want you to bring him in on Friday then we can help get him ready and keep an eye on him until he starts on Monday," Dr. Zhao said.

"We understand so we will make sure to get him ready by then," Heatwave said. 

On Thursday evening Hot shot was helping his parents pack things and make sure they had everything to go to the hospital. "You are being a big help Hot shot," Heatwave said.

"Thanks daddy," Hot shot said.

"Looks like we have all that we need," Quickshadow said.

Then Hot shot woke up on Friday morning and got ready with his parents help. Then Hot shot grabbed Roxy the rhino and headed to the car. He got into his car seat and got buckled in. Now Hot shot was ready to go.

Hot shot soon watched as things were passing by as the car was being driven. Hot shot was ready to start chemotherapy on the first Monday of December. Hot shot was kind of nervous but ready for it. Hot shot was wondering how often he was going to get chemotherapy and how long he was going to need it. He knew these were all questions that Dr. Zhao could answer once he was at the hospital and saw her.

Once at Cook Children's hospital. Hot shot got out of the car and went inside with his parents. Hot shot saw there were a lot of things going as usual in the hospital. Hot shot got checked into the hospital and got a hospital bracelet. He remembers being told it let's everyone in the hospital know who he is. 

Hot shot was looking forward to see if his friends were also in the hospital. He was also excited to be seeing his doctors again. Hot shot soon saw his friends were there and he came up to them. They were happy to see each other too. Hot shot was happy to see his friends once again. It was a very wonderful moment.

Hot shot was seeing a few of his doctors to make sure everything was alright before he starts chemotherapy on Monday. 

"Hello Hot shot how are you doing today?" Dr. Zhao asked.

"I am doing okay," Hot shot said. "I have a couple of questions," he said.

"I will try to answer them," Dr. Zhao said.

"How often will I get chemotherapy?" Hot shot asked.

"Your Central line chemotherapy will be 4 days every two weeks, you chemotherapy as an injection in your spine will be 2 days every two weeks, while your oral chemotherapy will be four days every two weeks," Dr. Zhao said.

"How long will I need chemotherapy for?" Hot shot asked.

"Hard to say it is different for each person will Medulloblastoma and there are different types of Medulloblastoma too and it can still be different for the different types of it too," Dr. Zhao said. "It can be a few months, to several months, a year or even over a year," she said. "It depends on the person and their cancer and how it responds," she said. "Some need changes in their chemotherapy regimen to make the cancer easier to fight, they might try different medicines or decreased or increased frequency of the medicine, or both a change in the the types of medicine used how often it is given," she said. "That also depends on the person," she said.

"Oh okay," Hot shot said.

"But don't worry during your chemotherapy we will keep a close eye on you to make sure you are doing okay," Dr. Zhao said. "Because we want you to do well," she said. "You might miss some school still and you might have a few side effects," she said. "But we will make sure you will keep up with school and help manage you side effects," she said.

Hot shot felt better after getting his questions answered by Dr. Zhao. Hot shot was hoping things were going to keep going well too.

Hot shot was going to be strong and brave when chemotherapy starts on Monday. He was going to keep facing his cancer head on.