Steve had the operation on his left elbow yesterday at Wythenshawe Hospital. It went well and the surgeon has repositioned the arm brace so his arm has been extended a little further. This week he is going to have further hearing tests with the possibility of another hearing aid being fitted in the near future to his left ear.

Steve was tired yesterday but in good spirits and he is hoping that eventually his left arm will be more mobile in its movement.

Today as I am sure most of you will be aware that it is 12 months on from that terrible night that saw two people tragically killed and three Fire fighters injured in the line of duty. Pauline has asked for it to be a normal day as possible for Steve and the family today. Steve and the rest of his family are looking forward now and not back on what happened. I only want to say it has been a journey down a road that none of us wanted to travel on, but along the way we have been treated with the utmost kindness, respect and generosity. Steve has really led us from the front with his determination to get himself well and inspired us each individually. For Steve as a fire fighter the only way is forward to finish the task of getting better.

Gary

Steve has had the operation on his left elbow and is currently fitted with a metal brace which is connected to this arm and is holding it in a more extended manner. He has lost some of his mobility due to the fixed state of his arm but Steve is trying hard to be able to feed himself and take a drink for himself by using his right hand. He is finding this somewhat difficult has he is naturally left handed and he has less fingers remaining on his right hand, but he is trying and that is the main thing.

He is continuing still with his physio and his own exercise regime. He is working hard on his lower limbs at the moment in an effort to be able to climb his stairs at home. This is continuing and it is a slow process which does at times frustrate Steve. Pauline has told the family that Steve is being examined in the near future with the possibility of a further hearing aid being fitted, and he will be having further examinations by the Neurology Team regarding the right ankle and foot which unfortunately is still not fully functioning.

Steve's skin grafts are looking a lot better on his upper body and the one's on his backside and legs are getting better but in these areas it seems to a slower process. Pauline has told us that the Medical Team will be looking at Steve's fingers on his right hand has these may need treatment around what remains of his three fingers.

Steve will be back in hospital on Monday for routine surgery on his left elbow which will involve the arm being further extended with use of the brace which is attached to the arm. Steve will probably need further surgical treatments in this area to keep extending this arm which will hopefully in the long term allow him better use of his arm and add to the quality of his life in the future. Steve also wants to get these surgeries over and done with so that the hand specialist can start doing their work on his hands which again will involve surgery. At my last count I calculated almost thirty procedures have been carried on Steve's body ( and he still smiles and laughs).

Steve is constantly visited by family and friends and is very grateful for these visits and good chats, laughs and the banter. He was over the moon with the do at the Reebok and is very grateful to everyone who turned up and he hopes they all had a great night. He thought all the acts who sang and played were superb and the backing group of Fire fighters should go and support the Pussy Cat Dolls! Both Steve and Pauline want to send a huge thank you from the bottom of their hearts to Emma Hughes and Colin Price for all their hard and dedicated work setting up the event. They both know Emma's Dad Graham would be so proud of Emma for what she has done and Emma is a real credit to her Dad and family.

People constantly ask me about Steve and his progress. I always tell him of all the best wishes people send him and the comments they ask me to pass on. The great thing is that its not only people in our service who are so kind to Steve. I get asked about Steve by Police Officers, Ambulance and medical Staff and the public who know me as Steve's brother in law.This really does help him keep smiling and looking forward. So thanks to you all for everything.

Gary.

Steve has been informed that his operation on his left elbow may take place at the beginning of next. He may be told as late as Sunday that the op will go ahead, but this is subject to availability of beds on the ward. He will have to remain in hospital for approximately two days following the op for rest and observation. Steve does not know fully yet how much of his mobility in the left arm will be effected, but he has been told it is a complex operation so that will have an impact on what he will be able to do with his left arm for a while. The operation itself we believe will involve the surgeon carrying out detailed work to the front of Steve’s arm where it bends at the elbow joint.

 

Steve is still remaining positive and is being visited regularly by his family and friends from both within and outside of the Fire Service. These visits are a great source of help to Steve and he’s always pleased to see everyone who comes to the house. Tonight (4/6) is his first night out with family and friends within the Bolton and Greater Manchester Area. Steve and all of us are looking forward to a night of fun and entertainment. Steve has his table near the bar and his straw ready for his Guinness so he is quite happy.

 

I will update the blog again next week and hopefully Steve will have had the operation and it will have been successful. Thanks for continuing to read my blog updates and far more importantly thank you to all of you for your continued support to Steve and his family.