Dear John,
I hope you're happy - I read your email and it brought three nurses all running to check and see if I was alright. It took some fast talking to get them to leave me alone so I could finish. (Except I couldn't finish finish, not here, and I can't decide whether I hate you now or I'm just that much more determined to get out of this hospital bed.)
I'm making good progress, or so I'm told. The respiratory damage was less severe than they initially thought, so - even though I'm still hoarse and can't take a deep breath - I'm assured I won't have any permanent issues. My larynx sustained significant bruising, but it's already getting better. I can actually make noises above a whisper now. The rest of me is recovering about as expected - the majority of the burn damage was on my back and legs, i.e. thicker skin which ought to recover with minimal (if any) scarring. That's still with the caveat "if all goes well," but I see no reason to assume it wouldn't.
During our last chat, you said "everyone has to have at least one childhood A&E story." What's yours? Or are you saving it for that all-important first date, to make a good first impression? (By the way: not necessary.)
- William