Three weeks after narrowly surviving a Learjet plane crash that killed four people in South Carolina, including two of his pals, Travis Barker posted a message on his MySpace blog expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support he and fellow survivor DJ AM have received through their ordeal and giving an update on his condition.
"Like the doctors said from the beginning, its [sic] been a slow recovery process. I am coming up on the 7th of my surgeries Monday," the former Blink-182 drummer wrote Saturday.
"Today I finally was able to move all my fingers on my right hand. Every step seems huge at this point, and I'm doing EVERYTHING I can possibly do to get back to my kids. Yes, I did start eating meat again, but if it helps me to be home holding my little humans sooner, than its all worth it."
Blogging from a Los Angeles burn center where he's now being treated for severe second and third-degree burns, the 32-year-old Barker also posted photos of himself in his hospital bed, his right arm wrapped in bandages.
But first and foremost, the rocker paid tribute to the two friends who lost their lives on that doomed Sept. 19th flight—his 29-year-old assistant Chris Baker and his 29-year-old security guard, Charles Still.
"I would give up anything to have them here with us today, healthy and happy. To call them my employees does them such a disservice, as they were so much more than that," added Barker. "Chris was my best friend before anything else, and I can never put into words how much he will be missed. Che was an amazing person as well, and I was honored to have him in my life."
Regarding the Georgia burn unit that initially treated him and the L.A. medical center where he now resides, the musician had nothing but praise for the doctors and nurses of both facilities.
Barker also revealed he recently saw AM, real name Adam Goldstein, after the latter was discharged and said it "was an inspiration."
"I saw just how awesome the doctors' work here is, and got to see how well he is doing. I am so happy to see him doing well, and we are both so lucky and grateful that we are alive today," he noted.
The Meet the Barkers star concluded on a happy note, saying he's "counting the days" until he's reunited with his kids.
"I cant wait to get home to play drums with my son, and go for bike rides with my daughter," he wrote. "I cant wait to see the pictures from Landon's "Jack and Sally Nightmare Before Christmas" birthday party that we had for him today. I am bummed that I couldn't be there, but thank God Ill be around to see many, many more."
