Chapter 5: A New Routine
Biscuit returned home from the hospital with a small stack of papers detailing his treatment plan. His parents had explained everything thoroughly, ensuring he understood how to manage his exercise-induced asthma while keeping it from holding him back. One crucial point stood out to him: no high-energy activities for the next two weeks.
At first, the restriction felt frustrating. Biscuit loved playing with his friends and running wild at the playground. But as his parents reassured him, he was determined to make the most of the circumstances.
As he settled into his new routine, Biscuit noticed how much time he had at home. One afternoon, while he was pondering how to fill the hours, he heard laughter echoing from the living room. Curious, he shuffled in to find Bluey and their dad engaged in a lively game of pretend.
"Come on, Biscuit!" Bluey exclaimed, her face lighting up as she spotted him. "We're having fun! You can help us build a fort!"
The sight of his sister and their dad playing brought a smile to his face. "Okay! What do I need to do?" Biscuit asked, feeling excitement bubbling within him.
"Grab those cushions from the couch!" Dad encouraged, pointing to a pile of soft cushions stacked in the corner. "We're going to make the best fort ever!"
Biscuit quickly jumped into action, his spirit lifting as he joined in. Together, they began constructing a massive fort using cushions, blankets, and a few chairs. Laughter filled the air as they worked together, dodging collapsing structures and playfully tussling for the best spot inside.
Once the fort was complete, the two of them squeezed inside, barely fitting among the cushions and fabric. Dad popped his head in with a mischievous grin. "Now that we have our secret fort, we need a secret mission!"
"What's the mission?" Biscuit asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"To protect our snack stash from the sneaky kitchen monsters!" Bluey declared dramatically, shaking her arms in the air. "We'll need to be super quiet and brave!"
They spent the afternoon pretending to fight off "kitchen monsters" and defending their hidden snacks—all under their dad's creative guidance, who was an expert at crafting imaginative adventures. Biscuit couldn't remember the last time he felt so engaged and happy, even without the usual running and jumping around.
With each passing day, Biscuit found comfort in this slower pace. He played games with Bluey and their dad, built elaborate towns with blocks, and created colorful masterpieces with crayons and paper. The breaks were perfect for his breathing, and he discovered new joys in creativity and imaginative play that he hadn't explored much before.
On another day, Biscuit joined Bluey and their dad for a quiet art session in the backyard. They spread out on a picnic blanket, paintbrushes in hand, ready to unleash their creativity. Bluey decided they would paint their imaginary adventures—a race car, a trip to the moon, and even a surprise birthday party for a magical creature.
"I can't wait to see what you come up with, Biscuit!" Bluey said, eager to see her brother's artistic side.
Inspired, Biscuit focused intently on his canvas. He loved the process of creation; it felt liberating. As he painted the bright blue sky and fluffy clouds, his mind wandered to the playground, and he felt a twinge of longing but quickly replaced it with visions of future adventures when he could run and jump again.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, Biscuit realized that while this chapter of his life was different, it was brimming with opportunities to learn and grow.
With Bluey and their dad by his side, he found comfort in their camaraderie. The temporary pause from high-energy activities had turned into a chance to explore new interests and strengthen bonds.
Even from the confines of his home and the limitations of his treatment plan, Biscuit felt the warmth of adventure, proving that every moment spent with family held its own magic, regardless of how fast he could run.
Brisbane, a few weeks later
After two long weeks of following his treatment plan, Biscuit finally got the green light from the doctor to return to his usual activities. He felt a rush of excitement as he joined his classmates for PE class at school. The sun was shining, and the sound of children laughing and playing filled the air—just as it should be.
As he arrived, Biscuit spotted his friends, including Lucas and Roy, who greeted him with big smiles and high fives.
"Biscuit! You're back!" Lucas exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Let's go play tag!"
"Yeah! I've missed this!" Biscuit replied, the thrill of movement and friendship overwhelming him. In the rush of excitement, he completely forgot about using his inhaler, which he had packed away in his bag.
Their teacher, Ms. Thompson, observed closely as the students sprang into action. She had been informed of Biscuit's condition and pledged to keep a watchful eye on him during their games.
As the game of tag began, Biscuit sprinted with all his might, laughter filling his lungs with each breath. The exhilaration of running felt incredible, and for a moment, he forgot all about the precautions he needed to take.
But soon, the familiar tension crept back into his chest, growing tighter and more constricting with each quickened step. Moments later, as he chased after Lucas, Biscuit felt a sudden wave of panic wash over him. The tightness transformed into a wheeze, and he realized with dread that he had not used his inhaler.
He slowed down, gripped by unease as he struggled to draw a deep breath. Just as he was about to withdraw completely from the game, Ms. Thompson noticed his distress. She hurriedly made her way over to him, her expression filled with concern.
"Biscuit, are you okay?" she asked, kneeling beside him.
"I can't breathe!" he gasped, panic rising in his voice
.
"Alright, stay calm," she instructed firmly but gently. "Let me get your inhaler." She glanced around the playground and quickly spotted his backpack lying a few meter away. "Just hang tight!"
Biscuit nodded, his heart racing as he struggled to take shallow breaths. Ms. Thompson rushed to his bag and retrieved the inhaler, returning to his side and handing it to him. "Here, Biscuit. Use this—it will help."
With shaking hands, Biscuit took the inhaler and followed the instructions he had practiced many times. Inhaling deeply, he pressed down to release the medication. Almost immediately, he could feel a slight relief, though it was slow to come.
"Just take your time. Focus on using your inhaler correctly," Ms. Thompson encouraged, watching him intently. She knew how important it was for him to feel reassured during moments of distress.
As Biscuit took a few more puffs, he felt the tightness beginning to ease slightly. "Thank you, Ms. Thompson. I forgot… I was just so excited," he admitted, embarrassment creeping into his tone.
"I understand, Biscuit. The excitement can be overwhelming, but it's crucial to remember your inhaler, especially when you're playing hard," she said softly. "Let's take a moment and make sure you're fully ready before rejoining the game."
With a few minutes to collect himself, Biscuit gradually regained his breath. He could see his friends still playing off in the distance, laughing as they chased one another. Feeling more in control, he said, "I think I'm ready to go back!"
"Just remember to pace yourself," she reminded him with a smile. "You don't have to push too hard to have fun."
With that, Biscuit returned to the game, now more mindful of his body's signals. He took breaks when needed and communicated openly with his friends about his inhaler. The game continued, and Biscuit felt a renewed sense of joy, blending excitement with a bit of caution.
At the end of class, while his friends were filling the air with laughter, Biscuit reflected on the lessons he had learned. He felt proud of himself for recognizing what his body needed and grateful to Ms. Thompson for her timely help.
As they all lined up to head back to the classroom, Biscuit smiled, promising himself that he wouldn't forget his inhaler again. With his friends and supportive adults by his side, he knew he could tackle any challenges that came his way, both on the playground and beyond.