Steve was in great form tonight when Sharon, his mum and I visited him at the hospital. He gave us a big smile tonight when we walked in and told us how good it was to see us. We noticed that Steve was wearing his pressure bandages on his legs. Steve explained to us the benefit of wearing these bandages and how they assist with the healing of the skin that has been burned. The hard bit is he has to wear these pressure bandages on his arms and legs for approximately 2 years. They are only removed for 2 hours each day when cream is applied to his skin grafted areas. Steve explained that it was hard for him each time the bandages were replaced as they were tight and have to be pulled over the skin grafts which does wear him out because he has to breath hard and push against the force of the bandage being pulled on. Steve said he doesn't mind the hard work and given what he has gone through so far its a small price to pay in getting better.

Whilst we were there we walked with Steve several times around the ward. His walking is slowly improving and he is standing taller now and walking with more confidence in his step. He told me tonight that his right foot is improving in the way it moves and Steve is confident now that the right foot will return to somewhere near normal in the future.

Steve has had physio today this involved Steve attempting to write with his left hand. He told us that although it was painful and difficult he managed to write the verse Mary Had a little lamb. This again is another milestone in his recovery and gives further encouragement to Steve.
Steve spoke at length tonight about how he is looking forward and not back. He said he wasn't dwelling on what happened to him and didn't hold any grudges against anyone person. He told his mum and sister life really is to short to worry about things that he could do nothing about and being angry didn't solve anything. Steve said he wanted to achieve more in his life and looking back would only hold him back. Tonight we saw the Steve Morris we knew several months ago. The man had more determination in his voice but spoke with the voice of reason and hope for his and Pauline's future.

He talked about how great it was that his friends had been going during the day to give him the exercise he needs by walking round and the family and friends who visit at night and do the same. He is still amazed and humbled by all the support he is getting from everyone and told me once again to say thank you.

He gave us some more good news that this weekend if all goes to plan he will have his first full overnight stay at home. He has had a bed provided by Chorley Hospital and this has been placed downstairs. Steve is really looking forward to spending the night at home with Pauline and hopefully this will be the start of more longer home visits. The Fire Fighters Charity has secured the stair lift for him and once this is fitted Steve may be home for good sooner rather than later.
There were lighter moments in the visit. His mum had brought a number of photos of Steve and his friends on holiday a good few years ago. Steve was highly amused by the boy band hair cuts and dodgy clothing along with the lobster style sun tans!!!. Steve and I also discussed the fake fainting technique we have adopted when asked to do something in the house or when asked a questioned that we didn't want to answer. We also discussed the Patagonian fainting mountain goat where the fainting technique had been taken from. Steve mentioned his one very hairy knee. I suggested that this piece of skin could be removed and grafted on to the top of his head. In the big scheme of things I said what was one more graft. The reply was highly amusing but unprintable in this blog.

We left Steve when the nurse came in to give him his medication. He thanked us for coming and I told him who was visiting him tomorrow day and in the evening. He said he was looking forward to seeing the people.