Little All-Star and BFFS Brave and Wonderful Heart Warrior Journey

Chapter 5

Hot shot was currently in the CICU recovering from open heart surgery. Hot shot was feeling weak, sick, sore and tired. Hot shot's chest was painful and had big bandage called a dressing on it. Hot shot got worried when ever the nurses had to change it today. The dressing had to be changed today and had to have a dressing for awhile to help keep his incision sight clean. Hot shot saw a nurse come in a bit later. This nurse's name was Jaime. "Okay Hot shot let's take out that tube out your mouth now shall we?" Jaime said. 

Jaime removed the tube from Hot shot's mouth and Hot shot started to cough. "Take it easy," Jaime said.

"Water," Hot shot said.

Jaime talked to Dr. Jal about if Hot shot could have some water. "Hot shot can have some water," Dr. Jal said. 

Hot shot saw Jaime come in with a cup of water. Hot shot proceed to sip at the water and his throat felt so much better. Hot shot still felt very tired and sore. Hot shot looked at his mother who then came over and kissed his forehead. "How are you feeling poppet?" Quickshadow asked.

"My chest hurts and I'm tired," Hot shot said.

"That is normal," Quickshadow said. "You are very sore right now because the surgery was just yesterday and it was a major surgery," she said. "The doctors had to cut through your breast bone to repair your heart and then they had to put it back together. That is one of the reason it is so sore," she said. "Major surgery like that can make you sore and tired for a long time," she said.

"Where's daddy?" Hot shot asked.

"Daddy's at work right now," Quickshadow said. 

"Okay," Hot shot said. "Can I watch a movie?" he asked. 

"Sure you can definitely watch a movie," Jaime said. "That is what the TV in here is for," she said. "We have a lot of movies to chose from to watch," she said. "You can chose the movie you want to watch." she said.

"Okay," Hot shot said.  Hot shot saw the pillow that was next to him and shaped like a valentines day heart. "What is that?" he asked.

"That is your heart pillow," Quickshadow said. "You hold on to the pillow when you need to move, change position, get up, cough, laugh, or ride in the car," she said. "It will help apply pressure so you won't feel so much pain," she said. "Plus if you need to cough don't hold it in, it will only make it worse," she said. "So just hold on to the pillow and let the cough happen" she told him. 

"Okay mummy," Hot shot said. 

"Good boy," Quickshadow said.

Hot shot looked at all the movies that were available. Hot shot saw there were a few of them. Hot shot after looking through them he chose one of his favorite movies. Hot shot started to watch the movie and began to relax. Hot shot was hoping to see his father soon.

Hot shot had his lunch but he left most of it. He was feeling too sore and feeling weird after surgery. "It is normal for a loss of appetite after surgery," Dr. Lexor said. "Hot shot's appetite will come back eventually," he said. "We just have to give him small amounts food, such as small meals and snacks," he said. "Then his appetite will come back as he starts to feel better," he said. "Right now he just doesn't feel to hungry due to discomfort and being tired most likely," he said. "But soon it will be easier for him to eat." he said. 

"Thank you so much Dr. Lexor," Quickshadow said.

"Anytime Dr. Flamezer, your son is in good care with us," Dr. Lexor said.

"Mummy I want daddy," Hot shot said that evening. 

"I know you do but daddy has to work," Quickshadow said. "He will be here tomorrow to have a shift with you while I work," she said. 

"I want you both with me," Hot shot said about to cry. 

"I know you do," Quickshadow said. "Just remember we both want to be with you two especially after something like this," she said. "We love you and we will always come back," she said. "We will do our best to spend time with you," she said. 

"Okay," Hot shot said.

"I have something I want to show you," Quickshadow said.

"What is it?" Hot shot asked. 

Quickshadow revealed a stuffed tapir. "I got it at the hospital gift shop while you were having surgery. I wanted to give it to you once you were awake," Quickshadow said. "It is a kind of animal called tapir, it is related to rhinos," she said. "This a type of tapir called a Malayan Tapir it is found in Asia." she said. "Just like a few species of rhinos," she said. 

"Thanks," Hot shot said with a smile. He was happy to have the new toy. Quickshadow removed the hang tag and gave it to Hot shot. "Roxy this is Tammy," he said showing the Tapir to Roxy.  "They want to be friends," he said.

"That's nice Hot shot," Quickshadow said.

Hot shot was able to rest and relax for a while he had a small snack at dinner time. Then a care assistant came in. "Okay Hot shot, time for a wash," the care assistant named Margret said. "You are going to have nice sponge bath," she said. 

"Will it hurt?" Hot shot asked.

"No not at all," Margret said. "I will be very careful around your surgery site, tubes and wires," she said. The proceed to wash Hot shot up. Hot shot found the sponge bath to be relaxing. Hot shot was able to relax during it. "There you go all done," she said.

"That was nice," Hot shot said. 

"I am glad you liked it," Margret said. "Now you can get some rest," she said.

"Thank you," Hot shot said. Hot shot soon was able to sleep that night. Hot shot woke up sometimes due to the nurses having to check on him to make sure he was doing alright. 

Hot shot saw a nurse had some medicine this time when she woke him up. "Okay Hot shot time for some medicine," the nurse said. 

"But I want to sleep," Hot shot said grumpily. 

"I know but we will make it quick," the nurse said. She got the medicine in a syringe and put in Hot shot's mouth and squirted it in. Hot shot swallowed it like he was supposed to. "Good job," she said. "You can go back to sleep now," she told him.

Hot shot then went back to sleep. Hot shot woke up the next morning and saw his father come in. "Good morning son," Heatwave said.

"Hi daddy," Hot shot said. 

"How are you feeling?" Heatwave asked.

"Sore," Hot shot answered.

"I bet you are," Heatwave said. "You will feel better as time goes on," he assured him. Heatwave showed Hot shot what he got him at the gift shop. It was a plush penguin. 

"Thank you daddy," Hot shot said taking the penguin. "Penny," he called the penguin. "Penny this is Roxy and Tammy," he said. "They are all friends now," he said.

"That's great son," Heatwave said. 

"I got to go now," Quickshadow said. She kissed Hot shot's forehead and then kissed Heatwave and left. 

Hot shot was sad to see his mother leave. But he was glad his father was there with him. "Son would you like to watch a movie or something?" Heatwave asked.

"A movie sounds nice," Hot shot said. Hot shot and his father started to watch a movie. Hot shot was being checked on by the nurses regularly a lot of the time. Hot shot was also being checked on by one of the doctors there too. They wanted to make sure Hot shot was doing alright.

Then a few days later some of the tubes and wires were removed. Hot shot was feeling a little bit better. But he would move to a normal hospital room for another couple of days. Hot shot knew after leaving the CICU he was going to have to stay in the hospital for a few more days after that. He was going to have stay in a regular hospital room for 4 to 6 more days at least.

Hot shot was going to be brave during this time and not worry so much. He was going to be strong because he was a heart warrior now.