chapter 11

Hannah and her family were looking through photo albums to see much of what there was to see. It was wonderful, Hot shot was enjoying his life on earth. Hot shot loved his friends, and family. Hot shot was living a very happy life.

Then something was going to happen that would turn his life upside down.

On a morning in early October Hot shot woke up feeling bad his leg was really sore. "Ow," Hot shot said.

"What's wrong?" Side swipe asked from his bed.

"My leg it hurts," Hot shot answered.

"What did you do?" Side swipe asked.

"I don't know maybe I slept on it funny," Hot shot said getting out of his own bed. He ate his breakfast and went to school. But his leg felt worse as the day went on. It was really hurting still when he got home. He told his mom about his hurting leg. She gave him some pain killers and had him sit down with his leg up.

A few days later Hot shot's leg was still pretty sore. He limped to the bus stop and slowly climbed aboard.

"You okay Hot shot?" Wedge asked.

"I think so it's just my leg really hurts." Hot shot answered. "It's really stiff and sore," he explained.

Wedge touched Hot shot's leg.

"Ow," Hot shot said. "It's also quite tender," he said.

"I can see that what did you do to your leg to make it hurt so bad?" Wedge asked.

"I don't know," Hot shot answered.

They made it to school. They went in for class and then the bell rang it was time for recess all the kids were playing. They were feeling very excited. Hot shot went outside with his friends. "Hey Hot shot want to play some cube?" Wedge asked.

"Sure," Hot shot said.

They started to play but Hot shot's leg pain got bad and Hot shot stop and went over to a bench to sit down. "Are you okay Hot shot?" Whirl asked as the others came over.

"I just don't feel so good today," Hot shot answered.

"Is it your tank?" Medix asked.

"Or your throat?" Hoist asked.

"Neither, it's my leg it's been hurting for several days," Hot shot answered. "I also feel bad, I think I might have a fever," he added.

Wedge felt Hot shot's forehead. "Hmm you feel warm," Wedge stated.

Hoist felt his forehead. "Wow you feel hot," Hoist said.

Whirl felt his forehead. "You feel hot as a tamale," Whirl said.

Medix felt his forehead. "I think you do have a fever," Medix said. "I think you should see the nurse," he told him.

"Good idea," Hot shot said. He went to the nurse. She put the thermometer in Hot shot's mouth. The thermometer beeped.

The nurse took the thermometer out. "102.4 you have a high fever young bot," the nurse said.

Hot shot was taken home he was laying on the couch feeling sick. Side swipe heard that Hot shot was take home early. "So what's wrong with you?' Side swipe asked.

"I'm sick," Hot shot told him.

"You don't look sick to me," Side swipe stated.

"Well I feel sick," Hot shot told him.

"What's wrong do you have a problem going on?" Side swipe asked.

"For your information I went nurse and she said I have a fever," Hot shot told him.

"Yeah right," Side swipe said and sat down without thinking about it rather roughly next to Hot shot's bad leg causing Hot shot pain.

"Ow!" Hot shot exclaimed.

"What I do?" Side swipe asked jumping up in shock.

"Hot shot what happened?" Heatwave asked coming in.

"Side swipe sat down roughly and hit my bad leg," Hot shot said.

"It was an accident," Side swipe answered.

"I'm sure it was," Heatwave said.

"Sorry Hot shot," Side swipe said.

Over the next couple of days Hot shot's fever wasn't going away. "Okay I think it's time to take you to the doctor." Hightemp said.

They went to Hot shot's pediatrician Ratchet who was also Medix's uncle. Hot shot liked Ratchet very much he was very patient and understanding. But his parents were worried about how sick he was so that made him nervous. "Okay kid let's take a look at you," Ratchet said.

Hot shot was nervous to say the least. Hot shot was wondering what was going on with himself. Heatwave told Ratchet Hot shot's symptoms his leg was always in pain, his leg was very stiff, it was also tender to the touch and he had fever that wasn't going away.

Ratchet did the exam. "Hot shot needs to see a pediatric oncologist." Ratchet said.

The oncologist's name was Blacklight she was very nice. The first test Hot shot had to do was an x-ray. Hot shot was wearing a heavy apron and they took pictures of the inside of his leg. Then he got a CAT scan, and an MRI, an then a bone scan. Then Blacklight told him they need to do a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration and a biopsy of a lump they found. Hot shot was nervous about that. But Blacklight told him not to worry.

Hot shot was asleep during the biopsies and it didn't take too long. Hot shot woke up just fine. Blacklight gave him a coloring book to forget all about the hospitals scary tests and to make the next two days fly by.

Soon it was time to go back to hear the test results and Hot shot was nervous even though he liked Blacklight. "Okay I have the tests results and it's tough news, Hot shot has a type of bone cancer called Ewing Sarcoma." Blacklight explained.

Hot shot was unsure of what cancer was and he saw his parents looked sad and scared.

"Think of it like this your body is a house each part of it has a different job and they all make the house work. There are very tiny things that help the house known as your body works each part do it's job called cells. They make up the whole house. Unfortunately your house is making a fire known as cancer, the fire is keeping your house from doing all things it can do and it's hurting you and making you feel sick," Blacklight explained.

Hot shot was upset it was terrible he had a fire that was going on and keeping his body from doing what is able to do. How was he going to stop the fire? He wondered that as he hugged his dad. "How do I stop the fire?" Hot shot asked.

"I'm glad you asked," Blacklight said. "I am going to help you to fight the fire known as cancer. I have lot of experience fighting this type of fire and I am good at my job you ready to help me fight the fire known as cancer?' she asked him.

Hot shot was worried and scared but Blacklight said she going to help him so he looked at her in the optics and said: "Let's do this," Hot shot said.

Then Blacklight and several other doctors explained Hot shot's treatment plan. She used words like chemotherapy and surgery.

"What's chemotherapy?" Hot shot asked.

"Chemotherapy is a powerful medicine that is used to fight the fire known as cancer." Blacklight explained. "While the chemotherapy or chemo for short maybe good at fighting cancer it also has bad side effects. It will give you an upset tank, you will feel tired and weak, you may get sick or injured more easily and it will make your metal lose it's color," she explained.

Hot shot got upset when she told him his metal will lose it's color. "I don't want to lose my color," Hot shot said.

"Hot shot I know this is upsetting but talking to our child play specialist will help." Blacklight said. "His name is Rileup," she said.

Hot shot was in the waiting room and met a young female Cybertronian who was also there for cancer treatment. "Hi my name is Icewind," she said.

"I'm Hot shot, I am getting cancer treatment soon," Hot shot said.

"Me too, I just talked with Rileup and he explained all about losing my color and now I have few more doctors to see about me treatment," Icewind said.

Hot shot now got to talk to Rileup. Rileup was happy to see Hot shot. "Hello Hot shot it's good to meet you," Rileup said.

"Hi," Hot shot said.

"You will lose your color most likely two weeks into treatment, when and how quickly your color goes away is different for everyone. It may go away very slowly, or might loose a little color or you will lose of all of it really fast," Rileup said. "Your color will come back after chemotherapy finally ends, it can come back the same as it was, a lighter or darker shade of the previous color, a different color all together or even have pattern now apart of it," he added.

Hot shot was amazed by that and felt better.

"Some children like wearing pretend color called electronic paint jobs you can turn it on and off when you want to and it can even have the color adjusted to any color you want." Rileup said showing him a the electronic paint job bracelet. "Some like wearing jackets, or ponchos to cover up and help add color to their body." he added.

Hot shot was amazed and was going to try different things to see which one he liked better. He felt so much better. Then he had a thought. "I am worried because I won't be able to see my friends as much as I am used too, or go to school, or even be with my little brother." Hot shot said.

"I know but don't worry you will find ways to keep in touch with your friends and family and you will make some new friends at the hospital." Rileup explained.

Hot shot felt better and was now going to hear more of his treatment plan. A bit later Hot shot was going soon stay at the hospital.

Side swipe saw Hot shot and his parents come home. Side swipe noticed his older brother was very quiet and watched as he packed a few things in a bag and grabbed Roxy the rhino. Hot shot looked sad to him and even a little bit scared.

Hightemp and Heatwave told the others about Hot shot's cancer. "Cancer what is that?" Side swipe asked.

"It's a disease Side swipe," Ambula said.

"Is it contagious?" Side swipe asked.

"No, but cancer is very serious, Hot shot is very sick," Ambula told him.

"Will he be okay?" Side swipe asked.

"With help from the doctors he should be," Ambula said.

"Okay," Side swipe said. He saw Hot shot was about to leave with mom. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"To the hospital I have to stay there for a while," Hot shot told him.

"You mean I have to sleep in the big room by myself?" Side swipe asked.

"It's only for a few days Side swipe," Hightemp told him.

"Okay," Side swipe said.

Hot shot was now in the hospital and was very scared and worried as he laid there in bed. He was going to start chemotherapy the next morning.

The next day at school Hot shot's friends were wondering where he was. "Where is Hot shot I have seen him for almost a week," Wedge said.

"I haven't seen him since he went to see the nurse," Whirl said.

"Uncle Ratchet said he saw him in his clinic about four days ago and he had to see a special doctor," Medix said.

"Good morning class I have an important announcement to make," Ms. Lightburst said. "I bet all of you are wondering where Hot shot is," she said.

"Was kidnapped?" Blaze asked.

"Did he move?" Toughway asked.

"Settle down now," Ms. Lightburst said. "He's in the hospital, he's sick, he has cancer," she said.

"Cancer?" the kids said talking at all at once.

"But it looks like they caught early and the doctors are working hard at making him better," Ms. Lightburst said.

"When is he coming back to school?" Scorch asked.

"We don't know that it probably won't be for few weeks or longer," Ms. Lightburst said.

Hot shot's friends all react differently to the news. Hoist was very sad he was pretty tearful for the rest of the day. Whirl was confused and didn't know what to do or say. Wedge was very angry snapping at everyone for the rest of the day. Medix was feeling a few different things and had lots of questions that he wanted to be answered. Scorch felt many different things too and was down in the dumps. While Blaze on the other hand was not reacting much at all.

Hoist came home crying his mother noticed. "Hoist what's wrong?" his mother asked.

"I found out today why Hot shot hasn't come back to school," Hoist said.

"Oh?" his mother said.

"Ms. Lightburst told us Hot shot is in the hospital and he's sick with cancer," Hoist said. "It's so sad that he has such terrible disease, I had trouble controlling my crying all day," he said. "I am just so sad about my friend," he said.

"Oh sweetheart that's terrible Hot shot is so sick," his mother said. "Let me tell you this feeling sad about this is alright," she said. "It's normal to feel sad when someone you care about is sick," she added.

"How do I stop feeling so sad?" Hoist asked.

"We're doing it now we're talking about it," his mother said and then she hugged him.

At Wedge's house he was throwing his things around his room. His older brothers heard the commotion and came into his room. "Wedge is everything alright?" Heavyload asked.

"Hey guys, I found out why Hot shot was in school again today," Wedge said.

"Oh where is he?" Hightower asked.

"We were told he's in the hospital and that he has cancer," Wedge said. "I am just so angry about it and I am angry with myself for being angry." he said.

"Wedge whatever part of you is telling you not to be angry about this is wrong," Heavyload said.

"Yes it's perfectly normal to feel angry about this," Gridlock said.

"It's also okay to feel angry about this too," Hightower said.

"It is?" Wedge asked.

"Oh yes, and I know for a fact Hot shot is most likely feeling angry about it too," Heavyload asked.

"I don't feel so angry anymore," Wedge said.

"That is because we talked about it," Gridlock said. "It's important to let your anger out in a healthy way," he said.

Meanwhile at Whirl's house poor Whirl was really confused and not sure what to think of the situation. She told her parents about it. "I just don't know what to do to help," Whirl said.

"Being a supportive friend can be a big help, because what Hot shot needs right now is his friends," her father said.

At Medix's house he had many questions about what was going on with Hot shot and about cancer itself his uncle Ratchet was home along with his older cousin First aid. Medix explained about Hot shot being in the hospital with cancer.

"I have so many questions," Medix said.

"We will try to answer them," Ratchet said.

"We sure will," First aid said.

"How did Hot shot get cancer?" Medix asked.

"To be honest in children we are unsure how it happens." Ratchet answered. "Because in adults it deals with health problems, age, and exposure to certain things," he added. "But it's unclear why it happens to children," he explained.

"Yes you can't catch cancer or give it to someone, and nothing you or anyone did causes cancer, it's something that just happens and it can happen to anyone," First aid explained. "I happens to Cybertronians, humans, animals, birds and even fish," he added.

"How are the doctors going to make him better?" Medix asked.

"They are going to give him lots of treatments and the treatments are very strong and they will help Hot shot get better," Ratchet said.

"What is cancer anyway?" Medix asked.

"Remember when we told you about cells?" First aid asked.

"Yes," Medix answered.

"Well cancer cells are the bodies on cells gone bad they don't stop dividing and they are causing trouble for the body," Ratchet said. "That is why cancer makes someone feel so sick," he said.

Medix felt better that his questions were being answered.

Meanwhile Scorch was with his friend Blaze. Scorch was feeling pretty much in the dumps. "Come on Scorch I need your help, picking out a present for my dad's birthday," Blaze said.

"Sorry Blaze, Hot shot has cancer so I don't feel like shopping," Scorch said.

"Quit worrying he's going to be fine," Blaze said.

"How do you know?" Scorch asked.

"I just do this is Hot shot we are talking about he never gets sick," Blaze said.

"Well he's sick now I no many creatures young and old don't get better one of my uncle's died from cancer," Scorch said.

"You are being so negative. What do think of this?" Blaze said holding something up.

Scorch crossed his arms and left.

Hot shot was going to be in the hospital for the next couple of weeks and missing his friends. Hot shot got this thing the nurse called CVC in his chest she said some kids call it a tubie or a wiggle. Hot shot called it a tubie. But he was a bit nervous still about starting Chemo.

But it was going to be a few hours before it happened.

Hot shot was bored just sitting there waiting. "Hot shot let's go to the playroom," the nurse said.

Hot shot got up and the nurse took his hand. He followed the nurse to the play room. There was a lot going on in the playroom kids were playing games, with toys and some were doing arts and crafts. Hot shot sat down at the arts and crafts table. Hot shot was wondering what to do. So one of the ladies in the play room gave him some paints and brushes and told him to paint whatever he wanted. Hot shot saw Roxy his stuffed rhino and started to paint a picture of her and painted hospital PJS on her. He saw one cancer patient with a bandanna on and painted a bandanna on Roxy. Then he painted and tubie on her and then the started to paint words.

He finished the painting. It was called Roxy the cancer rhino. Hot shot showed it to the lady who smiled and placed it on a rack to dry.

Hightemp was with him and saw the painting and decided to make his stuffed rhino Roxy into Roxy the cancer Rhino. Hightemp took Roxy home really quick then and fixed her up with a tube that she was given at the hospital and Velcro a with a white piece of fabric for the bandage. Then made a bandanna and Hospital PJS for her and then it was all ready and she brought Roxy back.

Hot shot was amazed Roxy looked just like the picture and it made him smile. Hot shot saw the nurse come in with the chemo treatment. Hot shot was nervous and the nurse saw how Roxy was dressed and decided to do something and the Doctor was there too. She took a empty needle and syringe. "I am going to give Roxy the cancer rhino her treatment," the nurse said and put the syringe into Roxy's tubie and pretend to push medicine into Roxy.

That made Hot shot less nervous and then let the nurse hook him up to his IV.

A bit later Whirl, Hoist, Medix and Wedge decided to go visit Hot shot at the hospital. They were bringing get well cards from the class, they were also bringing some get well presents from the class and themselves.

They were in the children's hospital with Medix's older cousin First aid. "Hot shot Burners please," Medix said.

"He's on the sixth floor room 624," the receptionist said.

"Thank you," Medix said.

They went inside the elevator and then hit the but for the sixth floor. They went down the hall and saw room 624. Hoist had a free hand so he knocked on the door.

Heatwave answered the door. "Hello First aid, Medix, Whirl, Wedge and Hoist," Heatwave said.

"We came to see Hot shot," Whirl said. "We brought somethings from the class," she said.

"Yes I can see that," Heatwave said. "Come on bring it in," he said.

Hot shot was laying bed getting a Chemo treatment. He saw his friends and smiled. "Hello Medix, Whirl, Hoist and Wedge, it's been a while," Hot shot said.

"It's great to see you Hot shot, Mr. Landtrecker told us why you haven't been in school," Whirl said.

"Yes we can hardly believe you have cancer," Wedge said.

"It's true," Hot shot said. "and I could hardly believe it at first too," he said.

"I type of cancer I have is called Ewing Sarcoma. That is why my leg was hurting so bad and why I kept limping my bones have cancer in them." Hot shot said.

"Cancer are you going to die?" Hoist asked.

"Hoist what kind of question is that?" Whirl asked.

"Don't worry I asked the doctor's the same thing they said cancer can now be easily treated and many lives have been saved by the treatments so I should get well," Hot shot explained.

"Anything else?" Wedge asked.

"They placed this thing called a CVC line in my chest. I call it a tubie, it's how they give me my medicine and take blood tests so I don't have to get so many shots," Hot shot said. "Right now I am getting my chemotherapy,' he said. "It's also called chemo for short," he said.

"Chemotherapy what's that?" Hoist asked.

"It's medicine to help me get better," Hot shot told him. "It kills the cancer cells," he said.

"Does it hurt you?" Wedge asked.

"No, but it makes me feel tired weak and tired, make it hard to think and remember things, makes me sick to my tank and will make my metal lose it's color," he explained.

"That's a lot of side effects and all sound pretty bad," Medix said.

"Yes they are bad, but the doctors told me this treatment has saved many lives," Hot shot said. "So I'm not worried about it," he said.

"That's good," Whirl said.

"You know guys I am determined to get better and I will get better so I can become a rescue bot like my dad like I always wanted," Hot shot said. "I will get better and achieve my other dreams and wishes too." he said. "I won't let this stop me and I will beat it," he said.

"You are a very brave patient Hot shot," First aid told him.

"Oh I almost forgot we brought somethings from the class." Wedge stated. There was a wagon full of cards and get well presents.

"My that's quite a load," Hot shot said laughing. "I am glad they were thinking of me," he said. "But what makes me truly happy right now is my friends came to see me," he said.

"Yes sometimes to best medicine when you are hurt or sick is seeing friends and family," First aid agreed with a smile.

Hot shot was in for a long fight but he was ready for it.

To be continued.