When dawn rose, the sunshine went through the hospital windows in Lyon's room. Rad squinted as the sun glared through his eyes, and he stretched from his sleep. He felt a bit stiff from the rough couch in the living room. He eyed the room's clock, it was around 6 AM in the morning. He saw Lyon still asleep; he decided to turn on the TV with low volume to watch the news for a little while. He picked up the TV remote and switched to a cable news channel. The news reporter was making a report about a blue whale being rescued by fishermen at the Port of Brisbane.
Lyon slowly opened his eyes when he heard the TV's audio. He yawned and rubbed his eyes. "Morning Lyon," said Rad silently.
"What time is it," he groaned.
"It's still early. There's still time left before the sun is completely up," said Rad.
"Is it time to go home yet," Lyon asked.
"Not quite yet I'm afraid. We still must wait for the doctor to check up on you," said Rad.
Lyon let out a disappointing sigh. "I don't like hospitals," said Lyon.
"Why's that," asked Rad raising a confused brow.
"They're scary, especially at night, and all this weird machine stuff. I know they're supposed to help me, but I can't help it," said Lyon.
"Well, I can't argue with that," said Rad.
"Wait, you hate hospitals too," asked Lyon all surprised.
"In a way, yeah. How do you feel?"
"I'm still breathing well," said Lyon.
The two spent time watching the television for some time until the doctor came in with his clipboard. "How's the patient," asked the grey heeler doctor.
"I'm doing well," said Lyon.
"I'll have to use my stethoscope to hear your breathing," said the doctor. "Just turn around behind your back." Lyon turned around with the doctor placing the stethoscope. "Now, just breathe in and out while I place the stethoscope in your back." Lyon took small breaths as he was told. He could feel the cold metallic diaphragm through his fur. The doctor listened carefully through the ear tips and noticed that Lyon's heart is beating at a normal rate. "Okay, now I'll examine your chest," he said placing the diaphragm on Lyon's chest. Again, Lyon breathed in and out as told. The heart still beats at a regular heartbeat. "Heartbeat seems normal," said the doctor while writing down in his notepad.
"Okay, now I'll test your blood pressure with this blood pressure monitor," he said. The doctor puts a strap around Lyon's arm; the strap was connected to a tube with it being connected to a round black pump. The doctor pressed hard on the pump, and Lyon felt the tightness in his arm as the strap tightened hard. The blood pressure monitor read at a systolic level of 110 and diastolic level of 57. "Looks healthy," said the doctor. "Do you no longer feel any chest tightness, shortness of breath, or coughing?"
"Nope. Not now," said Lyon.
"Well, it looks like you are relieved from the asthma attack," added the doctor. "Though you will still have to use your inhaler regularly to keep the symptoms under control. I have an information pamphlet for you and your father to go over common asthma triggers, and what to do should the symptoms come back," he said while handing the book to Rad.
"Make sure to avoid these triggers such as dust, mold, extreme weather conditions, air pollution, certain plants, and strong odors. Also, strong emotions play a role in asthma attacks so make sure that you keep them in check."
"But I can still run and play with my friends, right," asked Lyon.
"Yes. You can still do the same activities with your friends," said the doctor. Rad skimmed over the list of common asthma triggers in the pamphlet given by the doctor. "Also, here is the prescription for his inhaler. You just need to see the chemist, and they'll give you the medicine," said the doctor giving a slip of paper to Rad.
"So he only needs to use it when he reacts to these triggers," asked Rad, making sure he follows the doctor's instructions.
"Yes. Once you come home, I recommend you keep the housing environment dust free just to be safe. Do you have any more questions?"
"Should he be able to come back to school next week," asked Rad, knowing that today is Friday.
"Yes, he should be good to return to school," said the doctor. Lyon let out a soft smile knowing he will be able to return back to school next week. "If there are no more questions, then you two are free to go," said the doctor.
"Yes, thank you doctor," said Rad. He eyed his son, reminding him to thank the doctor.
"Thank you," said Lyon. The doctor smiled and walked out of the room. Rad was preparing his son's backpack with his things in it, making sure nothing was left behind in the room. Lyon took his get-well cards in the bag Bluey gave him yesterday. Both went out of the hospital entrance, and to the parking garage. They soon left and made their way to the chemist shop to pick up Lyon's asthma medication. The two went up to the front desk to see the chemist. "May I help you," asked the chemist, who was a corgi.
"We're here to pick up asthma medication for my son," said Rad handing out the slip of paper. The chemist examined the prescription. "Okay, it should be ready in about twenty minutes," said the chemist. He went to his office to have Lyon's medicine ready. Both father and son sat in the small waiting area.
"Dad," said Lyon.
"Yeah," asked Rad.
"Why do I need to use an inhaler," inquired Lyon.
"To help control your asthma, sport. You remembered what the doctor said," said Rad reminding his son the purpose of his medication.
"It feels weird having to breathe in from that thing," said Lyon.
"Still, it's required when you start having those asthma symptoms. You don't want to have another asthma attack without it."
"I know. It will take time getting used to the inhaler," sighed Lyon.
"Don't worry. The more you stick to it, the better you're accustomed to the routine," reassured Rad.
"I hope everyone at school knows I'm fine. They were all worried from yesterday," said Lyon with a worried face.
"I wouldn't fret too much. I'm sure your cousin was able to let them know the good news," added Rad.
"Since we're waiting for the medicine, can we talk about something else," asked Lyon, wanting to change the subject from his asthma attack.
"Sure, what do you want to chat about?"
"School holiday is almost here. That means I won't go to school for a few weeks," added Lyon, recalling that the winter holiday starts at the end of June.
"Oh, yeah that's right. You know, the family is planning on a camping trip for the holiday," added Rad.
"Really? I haven't been to one in ages. The last time I went to was with mum and dad," recalled Lyon from his last camping trip.
"Yeah, me and your uncles decided to pick a spot that is two hours away from home. It's a great camping spot. I might have some camping gear stored in the garage. We can look for it during the weekend."
Lyon wagged his tail with content. The last camping trip he went was with his parents at Yarramalong Park. He remembered the fond times he spent with his parents as they did lots of camping activities: canoeing, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing.
"Do you have a fishing pole? Me and dad fished a lot when we went on holiday at Yarramalong," inquired Lyon.
"I might have one, but we'll have to wait and see," said Rad while patting his son's head. The chemist came out with a white bag prepared. "Your medication is ready," he said. Rad received the bag from the chemist, thanking him for bringing it to him. "Oh, since we're here I think we're going to make a quick stop at the vitamins and protein powder aisle," said Rad, recalling he needed to restock on his supplement uses. The two made their way to the vitamin aisle. Lyon saw a bunch of bottled vitamins with different labeled colors. Rad scrutinized the aisle to find his vitamins. "Why do you take vitamins," asked Lyon.
"I sometimes take them to keep myself healthy," said Rad.
"Do I need vitamins," asked Lyon.
"No, you've got plenty of energy, mate," chuckled Rad while grabbing the bottle. He also looked for the right protein powder he uses during his workout routine as well, and they made their way to the checkout to pay for their stuff. After the chemist, they made their way back home. Rad set down the bagged things from the chemist shop. "I'm going to do quick housework to make sure there's no dust," said Rad.
"Can I help," asked Lyon.
"Well, this does involve cleaning dust, so I don't think that's a good idea," said Rad recalling the asthma triggers they were told from the doctor.
"Aw, but I want to help you," said Lyon with a slight sad face. Rad sensed his son's disappointment, and quickly thought of an idea that may be safer for him to help. He then noticed the windows could use a nice wipe. "Tell you what. You can help make the windows shiny with the spray bottle," added Rad as he got the towel and window cleaner solution bottle. "Leave the vacuuming to me."
"Okay," said Lyon while obtaining the bottle and towel. Rad went through the hallway closet and grabbed the vacuum cleaner. He connected the machine to an outlet, and vacuumed the living room while Lyon was in the kitchen wiping the windows with the spray bottle. Both dogs were diligently working on the housework. Rad made sure that there was no dust in any areas of the house to prevent his son from his asthma symptoms occurring again.
After some time, they finished with the housework. It was already the afternoon, and they decided to relax in the living room for now. Rad was watching a cricket game while Lyon was reading his book at the couch next to his father. Just then a door knock was heard. "Wonder who might that be," asked Rad while standing up. He opened the door, and saw three of Lyon's friends, Mackenzie, Rusty, and Jack along with their parents.
"Hello, Mr. Heeler, is Lyon alright," asked Rusty.
"Yes, he recovered from his asthma," reassured Rad.
"See, I told you he was okay," said Mackenzie to Rusty.
"The boys wanted to see him. They do miss him," said Mackenzie's mother.
"Well, why don't you lot come right in," said Rad inviting everyone in. The three boys saw Lyon in the living room and rushed towards him to greet him. "It's good to see you okay," said Mackenzie with a sigh of relief. They hugged their friend with a firm tight. "It's good to see you guys as well, but do you mind giving me a bit of space," said Lyon feeling the tight group hug.
"Oh, sorry," said Jack nervously.
"Ah, that's better," sighed Lyon.
"Lyon, I'm so sorry about yesterday. We didn't mean to leave you behind like that," said Rusty all sad.
"Hey, it's no problem. I'm better now," added Lyon.
"But if we hadn't run towards the tree house yesterday, you might have avoided the wheezing and coughing," said Rusty as he kept blaming himself.
"Rusty, it was an accident just like Calypso said," added Mackenzie.
"Yeah, what matters is that Lyon is out of the hospital. There's nothing to fret about," said Jack placing his paw on his best friend's shoulder.
"See? Even Mackenzie and Jack agree it was an accident," said Lyon.
Rusty looked up at Lyon; he would have expected Lyon to have shun him away, but he saw his forgiving nature. "Well, I guess we can all agree that it happened, and we can move on from it," said Rusty. Rusty's mother, Mackenzie's mother, Jack's father, and Rad were pleased that the boys found closure behind yesterday's incident. The grownups were in the kitchen chatting over adult stuff while the boys converse in the living room. Lyon was explaining his condition to his friends, and why it's important for him to use his inhaler in case he starts to experience asthma again.
"So, you need to breathe through that whistle," asked Jack.
"It's not a whistle. It's an inhaler, and it has my medicine attached to it. I just need to take some puffs in case I start to cough up again," explained Lyon.
"Is asthma contagious," asked Rusty.
"No, I don't think so. I asked the doctor, and he said it's not contagious."
"Can you still run and play with asthma," asked Mackenzie.
"Yes, so long as I keep the inhaler for emergencies, I should do the same things as before," added Lyon.
"Well, I'm glad you're still you," said Mackenzie with a soft grin.
"Does anyone at school miss me," asked Lyon.
"Yeah, it's not quite the same without you," said Rusty.
"How's Bluey? Does she miss me," asked Lyon about his cousin.
"Yeah, she said she wished you were at school. Are you coming back next week," asked Jack.
"Yes, the doctor said I should make it back next week. My dad and I were cleaning the house to make sure it stays clean. That means no dust," added Lyon.
"Because it causes you to cough up again," asked Jack.
"Exactly."
"Oh, I almost forgot," said Rusty while digging through his backpack. He took out Lyon's army hat. "You dropped this at school yesterday. I kept it until you were able to make it back to school, but now's a good time to give it back."
"Oh, I hadn't realized I left it behind. Thanks, Rusty," added Lyon, appreciating his friend's willingness to return his hat.
"It was the least I can do for you," said Rusty.
Lyon was happy to know that things were fine at the school and that everyone will be glad to see him back in the classroom soon. Rusty was relieved to know he was not at fault for Lyon's asthma, and Mackenzie is grateful that his good friend was not seriously injured. The four boys chatted as the afternoon passed on.
So glad Lyon was released from his hospital stay. The next chapter will be a good one for sure.