Brave Little Firefighter and BFFS of Cook Children's Vs Brain Tumor Fire

Chapter 4

Hot shot was happy to be back home after being in the hospital for a while. But soon he was going to have to head back to the hospital to begin his treatment. Hot shot was very nervous about it but he was ready to be very brave. He was wondering how he was going to do when treatment started. He was wondering more about radiation therapy and was a bit nervous about it. He was wondering what was going to happen and he was very nervous about it too.

"Is everything alright Hot shot?" Quickshadow asked. She saw that Hot shot was looking troubled.

"I am scared about starting treatment," Hot shot said.

"That is normal," Quickshadow said.

"I know I am starting radiation soon and I am kind of scared," Hot shot admitted.

"Well the Imaginary Friend Society has a video about radiation treatment," Quickshadow said. "How about you watch it?" asked.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Quickshadow pulled up the video and Hot shot started to watch it. Hot shot saw that the imaginary friend and his partner explained that radiation therapy uses invisible lasers he can't feel. He learned that each treatment usually only takes a few minutes. He will usually get one treatment a day, five days a week from anywhere from two to seven weeks. He would also feel weak, tired and his tummy might hurt. He learned his hair might fall out during treatment but it will usually grow back to the way it was before. Hot shot learned when that happens he can mix up his style. Hot shot felt better after watching the video. He understood a bit more about the radiation treatment.

Hot shot was wondering what was going to happen on his first day still. He was still kind of nervous about it. Then a couple of weeks later Hot shot and his parents found out when he was going to be starting radiation therapy. He was going to start on Monday. He was also going to have it for eight weeks. Hot shot was ready to be brave for it. Hot shot knew it wasn't going to be easy but he was ready anyway.

Hot shot's first day of treatment came. "You are being very brave poppet," Quickshadow said. Quickshadow was taking him to his treatment.

But right now Hot shot was feeling to scared to be brave. "I don't feel very brave," Hot shot said. "I'm scared," Hot shot said.

"I know you are are scared poppet, it is perfectly normal to feel scared," Quickshadow said. Once at the hospital Quickshadow pulled up the Imaginary Friend Society video about being scared. "Here watch this," she said handing it too him.

Hot shot began to watch the video about being scared. The imaginary friend learns everyone gets scared. He learned that it is easier to feel brave after you do something scary and not before. He would feel stronger and braver after the scary thing was done. He learned there is no fear he can't overcome with the right attitude. Hot shot felt much better after watching the video.

Hot shot saw his friends were there at the hospital. "Hi guys," Hot shot said.

"Hi Hot shot," Whirl said.

"Nice to see you," Medix said.

"Hello," Hoist said.

"Hi there," Wedge said.

"It's great to see you guys too," Hot shot said. "I am a bit scared about starting treatment," he said.

"I am scared too," Hoist said.

"I am kind of scared too," Whirl said.

"I am also scared," Wedge said.

"I think we are all scared," Medix said.

Hot shot started to play with his friends while waiting for his turn. Hot shot was having fun and starting to forget about his worries.

Then a nurse came out. "Hot shot," the nurse said. It was now Hot shot's turn. Hot shot was nervous but he was ready to be brave. He followed the nurse who checked his vitals. Then Hot shot got to meet his radiographer.

"Hello Hot shot I am Jason," Jason said. "I am going to be your radiographer," he said. "So where are you getting your radiation treatment?" he asked. "I have to ask each time you come in, as will any other radiographer who might be helping you," he said.

"I am getting it to my head," Hot shot said.

"Okay then," Jason said.

Hot shot then followed Jason to another room. Inside was the radiotherapy machine. Then Hot shot climbed up on the table and laid down. Jason clipped the mask in place. Then once he made sure it was in place, he got the bed and machine in position. It did take a while when he did that though. Hot shot was now in the right position. "There you go Hot shot all set up," Jason said. "Now I am going to leave the room, you are going to be alone for this part," he said. "I can play some music for you or play a story for you," he said.

"I would like to listen to music," Hot shot said. "I hope you have Pokemon music," he said.

"We do," Jason said. Then Jason started to play the music for Hot shot once he left the room. Then started up the radiotherapy machine. Hot shot was staying still as the machine was doing it's thing. Hot shot noticed that the radiotherapy machine was making a big sound, it was almost making a bright light, and a funny smell. He was wondering if that was normal. Then after about 45 minutes it was over.

"Okay Hot shot you are all done for today," Jason said. Then Jason came into the room and took off Hot shot's mask.

"I noticed a funny sound, a bright light and weird smell is that normal?" Hot shot asked.

"Yes that is very normal," Jason said. "Many kids experience those things just like you," he said. "So it is nothing to really worry about," he said.

"Oh okay," Hot shot said. Then Hot shot went back to his mother. Hot shot was happy to see her. Hot shot and his mother then talked a bit with Dr. Lopez and a few other members of Hot shot's care team. They just wanted to check on a few things. Then Hot shot was able to go home after that. Hot shot even got lunch on the way home.

Hot shot was able to have a little rest at home. Hot shot had a long road of treatment ahead of him. So he was ready to be very brave for it.