Brave Little Firefighter, BFFs, and a Dragon, Heart Warrior Journey

Chapter 4

Hot shot was at home recovering from heart surgery. Hot shot was happy to be home after almost two weeks at the hospital. Hot shot was still very tired. He was unsure why though. "Why am I so tired?" Hot shot asked.

"You just had major surgery, you are going to be tired for several weeks," Quickshadow told him. "But soon you will feel you energy returning too you," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot was resting a lot while holding on to his heart pillow. He often held on to it when changing position, or when coughing, or when he and his parents had to go out in the car. Hot shot liked his heart pillow it is just he preferred to hug Roxy. But right now he couldn't, he had to hold on to the heart pillow to help ease the pain.

Hot shot was happy when he was finally able to take a bath. Hot shot was happy to get his bubble bath it helped him forget about his worries.

Hot shot continued to feel his strength and energy return. Hot shot began to feel more like doing stuff about 5 weeks in. 

"Hang there son you still have to be careful," Heatwave said.

"Yes you have to protect your chest," Quickshadow said.

"Yes sir, yes ma'am," Hot shot said.

At the twelve week mark Hot shot felt so much better. He felt much healthier and stronger. He was happy to be able to run jump climb and play. Hot shot's chest was now fully healed and now he was doing so much better. Hot shot was doing really well right now.  

Hot shot seemed to be doing just fine and was able to play. Hot shot then a couple months later went to see Dr. Runkle. Because Hot shot was have a few problems again.

Hot shot had to get an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. Dr. Runkel wanted to see how Hot shot was doing right now. "Okay looks like Hot shot needs to have a cardiac catheterization operation," Dr. Runkel said. "It will be a very simple operation and he should be out of the hospital in a couple of days when it does happen." she said. 

"Thank you very much Dr. Runkel," Quickshadow said.

Hot shot was a bit nervous. A few days later Hot shot was taken to have the cardiac catheterization operation. Hot shot didn't have anything to eat and was made to fall asleep in a special room. Hot shot dreamed while it was being done. Hot shot was dreaming about playing sports. 

Hot shot woke up a bit later. Hot shot saw he had a band aid on his arm. "Hot shot your catheterization is all finished." Quickshadow said. "They used it to help fix the valve in your heart," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Then next day Hot shot went home. Hot shot's arm was still pretty sore from the catheterization but it was soon going to feel better. 

Hot shot was able to do things he wanted to do again. Hot shot was running around, jumping, climbing and playing. He was having a lot of fun. 

"Come on Roxy let's go for bike right," Hot shot said one day in August. "Time to have some fun!"
he said. Hot shot was doing much better since his first heart surgery back in February. Hot shot was able to run jump climb and play during that time.

Hot shot was also very excited because now he was going to go to kindergarten. Hot shot was helping his mother get school supplies. Hot shot was following his mother closely. Right now Hot shot was doing a good job at keeping up. But he still had a few heart problems. 

Hot shot was able to much of what he wanted to do. Hot shot was wondering what kindergarten was going to be like. He was very excited about it. He got to chose a new backpack and lunch box for him to take to school. Hot shot was very happy about this. 

Hot shot also got a medical alert bracelet to let people know he has a heart condition. Hot shot got to chose the bracelet he liked best. Now he wants to wear it all the time. It tells people his name, his parents' phone numbers, he has heart defects and his doctor's phone number. So it has information needed to help Hot shot if needed.

Hot shot was looking forward to starting Kindergarten. But he was worried, about on thing. "Mummy what if the other kids see my scar?" Hot shot asked. 

"Well Hot shot some might ask questions, others might stare, some will point and a select few might make a mean comment," Quickshadow said. "But you just tell them you had surgery to fix a boo boo in your heart," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot felt better knowing that he could answer things like that by simply telling others he had surgery.

Hot shot was very happy to enjoy himself. Then the big day came and Hot shot was off to school. Hot shot saw his friends were in the class as him. Hot shot came up to his teacher Ms. Sunrae. "I have heart defects," Hot shot said showing her his bracelet. 

"You are not the only one with heart defects in this class, I have a few other students who have them," Ms. Sunrae said. "I know what to do in case of cardiac emergency," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot was happy to be in class and learning with his friends. One kid noticed Hot shot's scar when his shirt moved.

"Where did that big mark on your chest come from?" the boy asked.

"I had surgery to fix a boo boo in my heart," Hot shot answered.

"How did you get the boo boo in your heart?" the boy asked.

"Like many kids I was born with the boo boo, because my heart didn't form correctly while I was still in my mummy's tummy," Hot shot answered. "Some kids are diagnosed while still inside their mummy's tummy, while other's it is when they are a little baby, and others like me get diagnosed later when we are kids," he explained.

"Oh," the boy said.

Hot shot was able to relax knowing that he can tell his classmates about his condition. He was glad that many kids just want to know what has happened to him. Hot shot felt glad that could answer the questions of his classmates and schoolmates. 

Hot shot went home feeling pretty good about school. Hot shot was able to rest and relax for a while at home. He was wondering what was going to be next for him.