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

Chapter 8

Hot shot was currently in Cook children's hospital after having a sudden cardiac arrest. Hot shot was recovering in the CICU for the first few days. Hot shot was getting some therapy to get strong again, because he was pretty weak. He was also getting therapy to make it easier to do things. Hot shot was pretty shaky when trying to use his hands. He also had some problems with balance and walking. He was going to need a lot of help. During towards the end of a three month stay he is going to have another open heart surgery. Hot shot was also taking two new medications along with his current medication. It is to help with his arrhythmia and other heart problems. Hot shot was starting to get his appetite back. He even ate all of his grilled nuggets and fruit from his kiddie meal from Chic-fil-a. He also drank all of his milk too.

Dr. Meyer saw Hot shot was doing well as did the rest of Hot Shot's team. They saw how well Hot shot was doing in the CICU after 4 days and saw he was also breathing easily on his own. So they decided it was time to move Hot shot to the CSDU. There Hot shot will still need monitoring but not as much. Also Hot shot can leave his room and be able to enjoy himself. Hot shot was glad to be the CSDU again. Hot shot was able to have more fun after that. Hot shot was able to interact with other children there.

Hot shot was heading to his therapy. Hot shot was standing on a special board to help regain balance. "Very good Hot shot," the physical therapist name Johnny said. "Keep it up," he said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was also practiced throwing and catching things. "Very good," Johnny said. Hot shot also picked up a few things that were a bit heavy. Hot shot was also climbing up and down stairs. Hot shot almost tripped a few times.

"It's okay just take your time," Johnny told Hot shot. Hot shot was also doing some stretching and movements to help. Hot shot was doing his best. "Okay Hot shot you are done with therapy for the day." Johnny told him. "You are making progress," he said. "You still have ways to go but you are making progress." He told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Then Hot shot was able to go to the play room. Hot shot saw his friends he made the first time he came to Cook's were there. "Hi," Hot shot said. "I came here because I had a thing called a sudden cardiac arrest a few days ago." He said.

"Same here," Hoist said.

"I also had that my parents and uncle reacted immediately," Medix said.

"I had one as well," Whirl said.

"I had one too luckily my oldest brother knows CPR and my two other older brothers called 911," Wedge said.

"I am going to be here for a while and I need surgery again after I get stronger in about 3 months," Hot shot said.

"I do too," Hoist said.

"As do I," Medix said.

"Me too," Whirl said.

"Me as well," Wedge said.

"We are strong heart warriors," Hot shot said. "Did you see the presents our classmates and our teacher gave us? I'm glad they are thinking of us," he said.

"Yes," they agreed.

"Also got presents from my brothers," Wedge said.

"I got presents from the police officers my mommy works with," Whirl said.

"I got presents from my cousins," Medix said.

"I got a present from my uncle who lives in Mexico," Hoist said.

"I got a present that is a hand made blanket from my aunt who is my father's older sister," Hot shot said. "It is nice soft and warm." he said.

"Cool," they said.

Hot shot saw there were other kids there in the playroom. "So why are you in the hospital?' Hot shot asked one boy.

"My family and I were in car wreck and got hurt and I can't walk anymore and need to stay here for rehab," the boy said. "My name is Nate," he said. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"I had sudden cardiac arrest due to my heart defects I found out I had last year, and I need a second open heart surgery after I recover some to help fix a problem again that was fixed already and came back." Hot shot said.

"That sounds scary," Nate said. "I got ride in an ambulance from the car wreck here," he said.

"My daddy who is a firefighter had to give me CPR until the paramedics our neighbor called came and shocked me with the defibrillator," Hot shot said. "Then I was taken here in ambulance," he said. "My heart defects started to cause other heart problems my cardiologist said it was because it was diagnosed late and treated late and I am starting to take two new medications with my current one for my heart, I also might need a special thing called a implanted cardiac defibrillator to help if the medicine doesn't help," he said.

"Yikes," Nate said. 

Hot shot saw a little girl. "I am Hot shot I am here because of heart problems why are you here?" Hot shot asked.

"I am Willa, and I am here because I got burned by a lit candle I knocked over," Willa said showing Hot shot her bandages.

"My firefighter daddy told me to be careful near fire such as lit candles," Hot shot said. "I hope you remembered stop drop and roll," he said.

"I did, but I still got burned and had to be brought here," Willa said.

"I am here because I need surgery done to help stop seizures, I am Aaron," a boy said. 

"I am here because I hurt my neck when I fell off my cousin's loft bed." a girl said. "That is why I am wearing this C-collar," she said. "I am Jenny," she said.

"I am here because I have bad infection," a boy said. "I am Hector," he said.

"We are all here for different reasons," Hot shot said. 

"That's true," Hoist said. 

"True but we are all working to get better," Medix said.

"That's right," Nate said. 

Then a bit later after playing with his friends and some of the other kids in the hospital Hot shot was taken to get lunch. Hot shot ate up his lunch and even felt like having Zooti Frooti too. Hot shot was being taken around in a wagon because he still didn't have a lot of strength when walking. Johnny had been helping him learn how to walk by using special crutches and while holding on to something like the wall. But Hot shot still tired easily.

Johnny told him the reason why he tires is he needs to build up his endurance again. So Hot shot needs to work at getting stronger and be able to walk for longer distances for a longer time. But it was all going to take time to do that. 

Hot shot was able to rest and relax in his room after that. Hot shot was able to watch some movies and shows. Hot shot was able to play on his tablet too. Hot shot also still had to take his medicine that the nurses were giving him. Hot shot was doing as he was told. 

Hot shot was soon going to bed. Hot shot was very tired from a busy day at the hospital. Hot shot was hugging his rhino Roxy and slept soundly. Hot shot was busy dreaming about the puppy he was going to get from make a wish. Hot shot was hoping that soon he was going to be out of the hospital and get his wish.