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

Chapter 5

It was now November and Hot shot was going to turn six years old. Hot shot was looking forward to that. Hot shot was very happy that his birthday was coming up. Hot shot was hoping his friends would be able to come. Hot shot was able to enjoy his birthday party when the time came.

Hot shot's friends and classmates all came to the party. They were all happy to see each other. Hot shot got a lot of neat presents. Hot shot was having a good time.

Then that December towards Christmas Hot shot didn't feel so great. Hot shot had a check up with Dr. Runkel.

Hot shot had an ECG and an ECHO. "Hot shot's stenosis is starting to grow back, there is a chance we might have to do surgery much later to fix it again, but right now it is not to bad," Dr. Runkel said. "Chances are we may have to do this a few times as Hot shot is growing up," she said. "It maybe a life long thing, it may not." she said. "But if it keeps happening we can just replace the valve with an artificial one. We can do it by catheter and we can open up the vein and make it easier for the valve and vein to to open with it needs to, or we can take out the old valve and replace it with a donor valve from someone who died or a mechanical one," she said. "With a tissue valve you won't have to take blood thinners, with a mechanical one you will so if you do, sports you will need to be careful and do easy going ones," she said. "That is if you get a mechanical one and with a tissue valve you won't have to take medicine," she said. "but in both since you are still growing you will need them to be replaced," she said. "With tissue donation you won't even need transplant meds either, and you can continue to play sports and have fun. The important thing is for you and your parents to chose if it comes to that," she said. "But for now let's focus on doing surgery and using balloon catheters to make them stick and block less." she said. "But we should keep him in the hospital since he is having some heart problems right now, he needs to be observed and be given medication if possible," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot knew he was going to go through a lot but he was ready to be brave.

Hot shot was going to have come in to stay at Cook Children's December 20th and he was told he was going to stay until the 30th so he was going to spend Christmas in the hospital. Hot shot was going to have to be brave for it.

Hot shot was helping his parents pack a few thing to be ready for the day at the hospital. Hot shot was ready for his hospital stay. Hot shot made sure to pack comfy clothes, his slippers, a pillow, a blanket, his tablet, a few toys and a few stuffed animals including Roxy the rhino. Once Hot shot made sure he had everything packed he was now ready to go.

Heatwave and Quickshadow made sure that they were all ready themselves to go too. Hot shot and his parents headed to the hospital. Hot shot then got checked in once they were there. Hot shot got his hospital bracelet. Now he was waiting for his turn.

Hot shot was a bit nervous about having to stay in the hospital for a while due to his heart problems. But he was glad his parents were there and supporting him. Hot shot was glad he was being well looked after by his parents and his care team. Hot shot was hoping it was all going to keep going well. 

But he was sad that he was going to have to stay in the hospital during Christmas though. That wasn't going to be fun at all. Hot shot was starting to feel bit better having some medicine to take and getting a little bit of oxygen during the stay. Hot shot starting to feel better. 

"I am starting to feel better," Hot shot said.

"That is great to hear," Quickshadow said.

Hot shot was doing very well and happy that he was doing just fine. Hot shot saw that his friends who he made here at Cook children's were there too, they were being observed just like him and getting medication. Hot shot was glad to be there and able to spend time with his friends. On Christmas day his parents brought the presents to the hospital so they could all open them up together. 

Hot shot had fun opening them. Hot shot got a plush elephant with a big scar on it's chest. It was a scar buddy and Hot shot loved it. It even had his name on it and that he was a heart warrior written on it. 

Hot shot had been thinking for what he wanted to wish for from the make a wish people. He knew one thing he wanted more than anything and that was a puppy. 

Hot shot saw the make a wish people while he was in the hospital. "Hello Hot shot I am Tina from Make a wish have you decided what you want to wish for?" Tina asked.

"I wish for a dalmatian puppy," Hot shot said. "That way I have something I can run around and play with and help keep my heart active and healthy." he said. 

"That's a fine wish," Tina said. 

Hot shot was hoping he wasn't going to need anymore surgery after this, and was hoping for a normal and healthy life after this. 

Then Hot shot was able to go home a few days later. Hot shot was doing well after spending time at the hospital. He was recovering wonderfully.

Hot shot was hoping things were going to go well now. Hot shot was going to have another check in a few months. 

Hot shot was a bit worried about it but ready to be brave.