Steve has had in his own words a great Christmas and New Year. On Boxing day a few of his friends from outside of the fire service went and spent time with him at hospital making it another Christmas day event by taking him presents of mince pies and Guinness. Steve had a great time with these lads.He spent a short time out of hospital between Christmas and New Year with Pauline on their own at their house. This was quality time for both of them and they both had a little piece of normality albeit for a short while together.

On New Year's eve the family again all met at Pauline and Steve's house. We spent an afternoon and early evening with Steve and he said he really enjoyed all the family getting together and having good times once again. He spoke about 2009 being a better year for us all and that there was no point looking back on 2008. Steve went back to hospital at 7 pm that night as he was very tired and needed to rest.

Steve has now had his pressure bandages fitted onto his arms and hands. These will assist with the healing process and Steve has already seen some difference to the swelling on his hands which has started to go down. The physios have been working on his posture while he his walking and have made a walking a little more normal for him. His right foot still is not functioning as it should but with the work on his posture has brought some improvement in his ankle area. Steve has said he is going to work harder on the way he walks by making sure he follows the physios directions on how to set his posture right.

The burns on the sides of his head are healing well. Pauline is getting more involved now with hands on care for Steve and is doing a sterling job. He is still having a little difficulty with his hearing but both his ears are healing well although the left ear is slightly disfigured.

The majority of the skin grafts are healing well. Steve is still experiencing pain and bleeding in the burned area just below his buttocks. This does cause him discomfort and he needs to frequently change his position if he is in a sitting position. The Staff at Chorley hospital are looking after Steve very well and he still makes frequent trips back to the Burns Centre at Wythenshawe hospital to have his injuries assessed and this also gives both Steve and Pauline a chance to ask questions about the treatments he his receiving and to discuss anything that his on his mind.

His recovery is progressing. He will be in hospital for a while longer but eventually he will be home. That may be within a couple of months.It will possibly be about 2 years that Steve will need to be under the care of both Wythenshawe and Chorley hospital medical staff, not as an inpatient but at the outpatients dept of both hospitals. Eventually this will get to a point where Steve no longer needs constant medical attention. During this time he will also be having treatment at the Jubilee house rehab centre through the Fire fighters Charity.

Steve and Pauline asked me to pass on through this blog their very best wishes to everyone who has supported and looked after them since that terrible night in June last year. They want everyone to have a happy, safe and peaceful 2009. A new year has begun. Steve is looking forward to making progress with his recovery and both he and Pauline are looking forward to making plans for the years to come.

Steve just before Christmas took me totally by surprise between the 2nd and 3rd floors of Chorley Hospital while his sister and I were taking him outside in his wheel chair for a wander round. He said he wanted to ask me something. I leaned forward to listen to the question and then was taken aback when he asked me to be the best man at Pauline and his wedding. He told me why he had asked me to carry out the best mans role and I was very humbled by that. I of course accepted and told him how honoured I was that he had asked me. I did say that on the big day I would be the 2nd best man. We all know who the best man is.