Brave and Wonderful Little All-star and BFFs Heart Warrior Journey

Chapter 1

In Dallas Texas, Heatwave and Quickshadow have just welcomed their first child. A baby boy named Hot shot and they were so happy to have him. But they became worried quickly Hot shot wasn't looking to good and the doctors were doing tests on him. 

Then a doctor came into the room where they were. "Hot shot has a few heart defects, he has tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia, he has transposition of the great arteries, has three VSDs, and an ASD." the doctor said. "We are sending him to Children's Medical center Dallas to be cared for," he said.

"Thank you doctor," Quickshadow said. 

Heatwave and Quickshadow soon went to Children's Medical center Dallas a bit later. Hot shot was in the NICU looking very weak and blue. "I hope they can help him," Quickshadow said.

"I have a feeling they will darling," Heatwave said. "Our son is going to be strong," he said. "Trust me on this," he said.

"Okay," Quickshadow said and kissed Heatwave. 

Then a few days later Hot shot was taken in for his first open heart surgery. Heatwave and Quickshadow were patiently waiting for Hot shot's surgery to be done. They were very worried and nervous waiting for it to be over. A nurse was keeping them updated about what was going on in the operating room. Then Hot shot was out of surgery and doing well.

"Hot shot is doing well right now," Dr. Horn said. She was a new cardiologist and had been assigned to have Hot shot as her patient. "Hot shot is now settled in CICU and you can now see him," she said.

Heatwave and Quickshadow came to see there soon he looked so tiny and small. But he didn't look blue anymore he looked much better now. "He's looking so much better," Quickshadow said.

"He sure does," Heatwave said.

Then a couple of weeks later they were able to bring little Hot shot home. "I am so glad we can bring him home now," Quickshadow said. 

"I am too," Heatwave said.

"I am worried, Dr. Horn and the rest of the team said he might need more surgery and care as time goes on," Quickshadow said. "I just hope he can be a kid and enjoy life," she said.

"I hope so too darling," Heatwave said. "But the important thing is we help him learn and understand about his special heart," he said. "Then we can help him become strong and brave," he said.

"I know," Quickshadow said. "I hope he is going to be just fine," she said.

"I hope so too," Heatwave said once again.

Hot shot was growing into a cute little baby. Hot shot got his well baby visits done and got checked on by his care team on a regular basis. They wanted to make sure he was doing okay with the way his heart is. They were hoping it was going to go smoothly for him.

Hot shot was almost a year old and had to get another surgery. Hot shot did very well during the surgery. Hot shot was looking a lot better now after his second surgery. Hot shot was giggling and being a happy little baby.

"That's our little all-star," Heatwave said. "You are going to be a very strong boy," he said. "Yes you are," he said.

"Look at him becoming such a wonderful little thing," Quickshadow said. "Soon you will be much bigger and stronger," she said. 

Heatwave and Quickshadow were monitoring Hot shot on a regular basis to make sure his little heart was doing well. They didn't to miss a potential problem. They monitored him closely. Hot shot by the time he was two and half has had two more surgeries. 

"Not even three years old and he has had four open heart surgeries," Heatwave's older brother said. "He is a tough little guy," he said. 

"He sure is," Heatwave said.

"You are strong little heart warrior yes you are," Quickshadow said. "Mummy loves you, yes she does," she said. "Look at your darling little scar, yes," she said. Then proceed to tickle him and making him giggle.

"Mummy stop!" Hot shot said giggling. 

Hot shot was still growing up quickly. Hot shot was growing into a child with a lot of spunk and spirit. He is a very brave and strong little boy. "I got special heart," Hot shot said after his parents explained to him about his scar.

"That's right you do have a special heart Hot shot," Quickshadow said. "Your special heart needs a lot of car," she told him. 

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot had his special rhino that his mother made for him by hand. He called her Roxy. She had a scar that was sewn on her chest in a zipper like fashion. Had a heart embroidered on her chest and the heart awareness ribbon embroidered on her left foot. She was even dressed in hospital pjs. She was Roxy the heart rhino. 

Hot shot loved Roxy very much. Hot shot brought Roxy with him whenever he had a check up with Dr. Horn or had to get a test done to his heart, or had a surgery coming up, or had to stay in the hospital due to heart problems. Quickshadow, Heatwave and his care team were using Roxy as a teaching tool. They used her to help Hot shot learn about his condition and explain what was going to happen. 

Seeing what was going to happen on Roxy while it was being explained help make it less scary for Hot shot. "Roxy is a brave heart rhino," Hot shot said. "I am a brave heart warrior," he said. "Both Roxy and I are brave as can be!" he said.

"You both sure are," Quickshadow said with smile.

"That's right son," Heatwave said.

Hot shot from the time he was 10 months old to the time he was 3 and 1/2 has has 8 cardiac catheterization operations. Also he has been to the hospital at least 23 times due to heart problems or cardiac emergencies. 

Hot shot also took medication for his special heart. Hot shot knew the drill well and took the medication without a fight.

Hot shot also has four friends who are his age with complex heart defects too. Their names are Hoist Towver, Medix Redden, Whirl Windal and Wedge Shoveler. They are his best friends and they all get along great! They often see each other a lot at times when their are check ups, tests, surgeries, and hospital stays due to heart problems. Hot shot loved to see them and they loved to see him.

When Hot shot turn 4 he had his fifth open heart surgery. Hot shot brought Roxy the rhino to come along. Hot shot was happy to bring Roxy along. "Hi mummy and daddy," Hot shot said once the tube was taken out of his mouth. 

"Hello poppet good to see you too," Quickshadow said. She was so relieve to see her son was doing just fine.

"You are doing great all-star," Heatwave said. "You are real heart warrior," he said. 

Hot shot was very happy and got along great with everyone on his team. Hot shot was very happy and excited things were going well. Hot shot loved to see his hospital team whenever he was at the hospital, but he still enjoyed going home. 

Hot shot was full of dreams and wishes. He was very happy and living a good a life as he can. However soon things were not going to be so easy and going to get hard and he is going to need to keep staying strong. Because sometimes things when they seem to be going well can take a bad turn. During a bad turn like this is when you must rely of family and friends and never give up hope!