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

Chapter 5

On Halloween night Hot shot was able to trick or treat inside the hospital and play games. The other kids in the hospital were able to do so too. They were all having a lot fun. Hot shot was able to enjoy himself and have fun. It gave him a chance to feel more like a kid again and less like a kid with a bad heart condition he was born with a waiting for a transplant. 

Hot shot was still in the hospital in November. Hot shot was trying his best not let it get him down. Hot shot was having times where it was easy and had times where it was hard. Hot shot was going to have to get used to the way things are right now.

On November 14th Hot shot celebrated his birthday. Hot shot was now five years old. Hot shot was going to start Kindergarten next year in the fall. Hot shot was hoping heart transplant was going to happen very soon so he could do Kindergarten next fall. 

Hot shot was wondering when it was going to happen. Hot shot got a cupcake for his birthday from the hospital staff.

Hot shot noticed many presents were coming in from family and family friends. Hot shot was amazed that so many people where thinking of him. "Look at all of this," Hot shot said. "Neato," he said.

"Yes there are many people out there who care about you son," Heatwave said.

Shortly after his birthday Hot shot began to take turn and was getting worse. "We need to put Hot shot on a Berlin heart," Dr. Leora said.

Heatwave and Quickshadow agreed to it and knowing that it will help Hot shot. They were hoping it was going to be alright after it was put in place. Hot shot was taken into the OR to get the Berlin heart put in place. Hot shot was scared and nervous for it. But he was ready to be brave. Hot shot soon fell asleep and the Berlin heart was put in. It was going to help Hot shot hold on longer till transplant which was going to be soon hopefully.

Hot shot was taken back to his room the CICU. Hot shot was hooked up to the Berlin heart and would soon get a bit stronger on it hopefully. Hot shot woke up and saw he was hooked up to the Berlin heart. Hot shot was going to have to get used to being attached to it. It wasn't going to be easy but he was going to get used to it.

Hot shot was wondering when he would get his new heart but he was going to give up hope. Hot shot still had many tests to do.

"Okay Hot shot you are doing well with your tests," a nurse told him.

"Thanks," Hot shot said. "I have a feeling I will get my new heart very soon," he said. "I just know it," he said.

"You are a very hopeful child Hot shot," the nurse told him with a smile. "You have good attitude and many adults and children can admire that." she said. "I hope you are going to get your new heart very soon too," she told him.

That made Hot shot smile. Hot shot was able to do things in the CICU. He was able to watch TV, watch movies, listen to music, make music, make art, and play games with his parents. He even played with the child life specialists who came in.

Hot shot was even able to play with the dogs they brought in. Hot shot was very happy to get to spend time with the dogs. Hot shot had a feeling he knew what he wanted to wish for.

"I know what I want to wish for," Hot shot said. "I have been dreaming about it sometimes after the surgery and starting treatment and I know I have been wanting it since before I got sick," he said.

"Well what is this special wish?" Heatwave asked. "Is it to go somewhere?" he asked.

"No," Hot shot said.

"Is it to be something?" Quickshadow asked.

"No," Hot shot said.

"Is it to meet someone?" Heatwave asked.

"No," Hot shot said.

"Is it to give back?" Quickshadow asked.

"No," Hot shot said.

"Then your wish is to have something," Heatwave said.

"Yes," Hot shot said.

"Well what is it you want to have?" Quickshadow said.

"A puppy," Hot shot said. "I have been wanting one for a long time but didn't know when to ask so we can talk about it," he said.

"That is a very nice Hot shot," Quickshadow said. "I know animals are such a comfort," she said. "They can really help with the recovery process," she said.

"But what kind of puppy do you want son there are many breeds and mix breeds," Heatwave said.

"I don't know yet," Hot shot said.

"Well we will do research into different breeds and help you choose the one you will like best," Quickshadow said. "Then Make a wish will look at different litters of that breed and choose the one that best matches you," she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said. "This is very exciting," he said.

"Well at least you know what to tell the wish coordinator when you meet them," Heatwave said. "All we have to do is decide on the kind of dog you want," he said.

"Oh boy!" Hot shot said. "It sounds like a lot of fun!" he said.

"It will be," Quickshadow said. "Now first you got to get your new heart when the time comes and then get stronger from it, it might take a few months post transplant to get your wish," she said. "But once we do we have to plan things out," she said.

"So you are wishing for a puppy?" Dr. Pokey said.

"Yes," Hot shot said.

"Well when transplant patients want a pet we normally want to steer them towards cats, dogs or fish," Dr. Pokey said. "They are safe options, plus if you get them someone else has to clean the tank, litter box or pick up after the dog because your immune system is not going to be as strong as before so it is better safe than sorry," he said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

"We can easily handle that we are a family," Heatwave said.

"Thanks daddy," Hot shot said.

Hot shot was happy to be getting wish and finding important things for transplant patients when keeping a pet. Hot shot wasn't going to give up hope of getting his puppy nor was he going to give up hope of getting his new heart.