chapter 2
Hot shot was in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant right now he had a breathing tube in. Today he and his dad got to meet his transplant team. He met his transplant cardiologist, some of the transplant surgeons, the transplant coordinators, financial coordinators, the social worker, the psychologist, dietitians, transplant pharmacist and child life specialist and other doctors and nurses.
Hot shot was being monitored and Heatwave was stay with him for now. "It's going to be okay son," Heatwave assured him and kissed his forehead.
"I am a bit worried about this," Hot shot said.
"I know you are, your mother and I are worried too, and I know your little brother is worried too, so don't worry okay," Heatwave told him.
Hot shot's doctor a cardiologist named Dr. Horn came in. "Hello Hot shot how are you feeling this morning?" he asked him.
"A bit worried," Hot shot said. "I am worried because I am so sick, and need a new heart to stay alive it is a lot to take in," he said.
"I know it is," the doctor said.
"When will I get my new heart?" Hot shot asked.
"We don't know but you are on the list and once a heart that is good match for you becomes available if your parents are at home we will call them to let them know and we will also tell you, if you parents are here will tell them personally. Then we will prep you for surgery and make sure you have an empty stomach, and then we will take you to the operating room and make you go to sleep and take care of everything," Dr. Horn said.
"Does my school know I am in the hospital dad?" Hot shot asked.
"Yes they do, and they all know you are waiting for a new heart," Heatwave said.
Heatwave and Hot shot were watching a movie and relaxing. Hot shot didn't have much of an appetite because of his weak heart. He was hoping it was going to be soon he was going to get his new heart.
The doctors and nurses on his team checked his vitals regularly.
Heatwave and Hightemp took daily shifts spending time with Hot shot to make sure he was alright and everything and to be with him. Side swipe sometimes came along, he wanted to be with his big brother.
Hot shot was on a few different medicines for induction for the transplant and others to get his body use to taking them before the transplant so he can take after the transplant is over and is if it is the right combination for him to stay healthy. He was also getting many tests done regularly.
Hot shot got to do things in his room like paint and draw, he got watch movies and TV. He also got to play with his toys and read books. It was quite enjoyable for him when he got to do that. His parents brought many personal items for Hot shot and such. Like blanket, toys, books, his Ipad, his nintendo switch stuff like that. His parents brought their things on nights they were staying in the hospital with him.
Hot shot was feeling many different things while waiting for his transplant lots of big feelings. His parents were having big feelings too as was his little brother who was too scare to sleep in a room by himself due to his fear of the dark.
They met other families waiting for organ transplants in the hospital. Some were waiting for kidney transplants, others liver transplants, some lung transplants, others were waiting for intestinal and other were like Hot shot waiting for a heart transplant. He got meet families that had kids that already had transplants.
Many weeks had pass Late June had turned to July and to August. It was hard to wait it had been a while.
The doctors were keeping watch on Hot shot. Because it was looking bad this early morning in early August. They decided to put him on VAD. Hot shot was hooked up to a berlin heart. Heatwave and Hightemp found it hard to see their son like that. They hoped it would be better soon.
After a few days on the VAD Hot shot was feeling better and such. Was doing therapy and tests and now waiting for his heart.
Today Dr. Horn saw a heart was available and it was a match for Hot shot everyone took and look and agreed it was time for a heart transplant. They came to Hot shot's room where he was relaxing watching TV with his father Heatwave.
Dr. Horn came into the room. He saw Hot shot and Heatwave watching TV. "What are you planning to do today?" Dr. Horn asked.
"Probably have a movie marathon," Heatwave answered.
"Actually how about a heart?" Dr. Horn said.
"Heart? You mean there is a heart for Hot shot?" Heatwave asked.
"Yes and we will start getting him ready," Dr. Horn said.
Hot shot was going through many tests and pictures and getting ready for it he couldn't eat or drink. He was getting prepared. He was being taken to the operating room and put to sleep. The organ was coming and it was anxious wait for those in the operating room. Then the organ came in and it was looking good. Then they opened Hot shot's chest and fixed things up so he was on a bypass machine that did the work of the heart and lungs.
They started to work on removing Hot shot's failing heart and it took a couple of hours. Then they got to work putting in the new heart. Once it was inside and turned off the machines they saw the heart beating and made sure everything was fine before closing up his chest. Then they did an Echo and it was looking good and many tubes were place in Hot shot ahead of time before the surgery IVs, a breathing tube, and urine catheter was placed and checked.
They kept Heatwave, and Hightemp up to speed and now they saw Hot shot being wheeled out of the Operating room in a deep sleep.
Hot shot was being settled in for two hours in the PICU and now his parents were in there and saw him covered in wires and tubes. It was a bit overwhelming but they saw his color was now bright and pink and not ashy anymore.
Hot shot was sleeping and such and after a couple of days the doctors and nurses checked everything and things looked good and woke up up. Hot shot saw his parents. After three more days his medication was lowered and now ready to have many of the tubes wires moved. Hot shot had his breathing tube removed. "Hi," Hot shot said.
Hot shot was in there for a few days even though he was getting fluids he was thirsty. "Just be patient Hot shot you will be able to eat and drink soon," Dr. Horn told him.
Then Hot shot was able to move to the cardiology patient floor and able to relax a bit more and not worry about how scary the PICU was. As the days passed Hot was continuing to improved. Hot shot continued to feel better he was doing great in Therapy and such and was hoping to go home soon. Finally after over three more weeks in the hospital Hot shot was able to leave.
Hot shot had to wear a mask to protect himself from germs. He was super excited now it was September and he was out of hospital but he and his family had to stay close by the hospital for the next three months they wouldn't be able to go home until November around Hot shot's birthday and Hot shot should be able to return to the classroom at the school in person at that time.
The first three months flew by and now Hot shot was well the group of medications he was prescribe was going well and the dose was now lowered and he was looking forward to finally sleeping in his own bed. Hot shot was home on November 2nd.
On November 3rd Hot shot was able to return to school. Hot shot was heading into the school after being dropped off and he went through the halls and all the kids were there greeting him. He made it to his fourth grade classroom with his friends waiting for him and his new teacher who he will finally meet in person Ms. Lang. Hot shot open the door and the class greeted him.
Hot shot found his seat and sat down it was right next to his friend Wedge. Everyone sure was happy to see him. His friends were talking to him. "How are you feeling Hot shot?" Medix asked.
"Great I feel as good as new with this new heart." Hot shot said.
Then came Hot shot's tenth birthday something he thought he wouldn't see. He was super excited they got to go to his favorite restaurant and they all had a good time.
Hot shot still had to see the doctors every so often to make sure things were going alright.
To be continued.
