We went and paid Steve a visit on Tuesday evening this week. Steve was a little tired when we first got there and he wasn’t his usual self. He explained that he just felt drained and just wanted to go home. He told us of the irritation his left elbow was causing him because he couldn’t straighten it properly and that the operation might take up to 18 weeks to be done. We had known previously about this time scale and had spoken to Pauline about it. Pauline has made the decision that Steve is definitely not waiting 18 weeks to have this operation and has arranged to go private and so get it sorted much sooner. We obviously support Pauline in what she is doing for our Steve and will assist her where we can. Unfortunately the hand specialist cannot work on Steve’s left hand until the left elbow is sorted out so this has also prompted Pauline to take this decision.

While we were there Shaz got her brother out of the chair and he did the obligatory several times around the ward. His walking is still unsteady but is getting better. When Steve came back into his room and sat down Pauline showed us his back and how that was improving. The burns on his shoulders are looking more pink and normal now as are the areas where the skin was stripped off his back and his sides to provide the grafts onto his burns. Steve told us the areas were still sensitive but not as painful as they have been in the past.

Steve cheered up when he told us he had been visited that day by a couple of lads from the Fire Service. One of them Mike O’Neill who had organised the Charity All Stars football match brought Steve a match programme and other items from the day including a DVD of the game. Steve really enjoyed the visit and couldn’t believe what had gone on. He said it would be great if they could hold another game this summer and he would definitely be there to watch and present the trophy hopefully next time to Team Salford. He once again wanted me to thank everyone who had been involved with the football match and everyone who had turned up to watch.

Pauline had arrived by this time and we had a chat about the up coming appointment with the consultant who will be dealing with Steve’s left elbow. Pauline also said Steve was waiting for news about his Hearing aids and the result from the Neurology test he had done on his right ankle 2 weeks ago. Steve and the family are really hoping for good news about this ankle.

By this time Steve was getting sleepy. We said our goodbyes and left Pauline to get Steve ready for bed. This takes sometime due to Pauline having to rub cream in to Steve’s skin and then replace the pressure bandages with the help of the nurses. Both Shaz and I have not seen Steve looking so fed up for a while now. We know he puts a brave face on at times for visitors but Pauline has told him he mustn’t hide his emotions has this will not do him any good. Steve’s a brave bloke and has a lot of pride but we are concerned for him and the fact that he has been in hospital now nearly 8 months.

Ending this blog on a more cheerful note Steve’s stair lift has been fitted and he’s had go. Many thanks to the fire fighters charity for purchasing and paying for it to be installed. I told Steve I’ll fit low profile wide wheels to it and go faster stripes. I said to Steve he reminded me of the Peter Kay character in phoenix nights when Steve was using the stairlift!!!!

Gary.