KEY POINTS:
An Auckland primary school teacher critically injured after Mt Ruapehu erupted in September is already planning to return to the mountain.
William Pike, 22, headed home last Friday after a 65-day stay in Waikato Hospital and says he's looking forward to some anonymity.
Mr Pike and his friend, James Christie, had been inside Dome Hut, near Mt Ruapehu's summit, when a lahar came through the door on September 25.
Mr Pike's legs were crushed and his right leg was amputated below the knee the following day.
Mr Pike could not remember much from the first month in hospital but he did remember being told he had lost his leg.
"I felt obviously a little bit gutted, as you would, but since I'd been through so much, that was really a small price to pay."
During his stay in hospital, he had 11 operations and was treated for broken bones, hypothermia, septicemia and renal failure. "At the end of that if you've lost a leg, well, let's just get a new one put on."
Everyone had been supportive. "I particularly want to thank my mum and dad and brother, because they've been the closest to me and they've really, really helped me through all of this.
"Secondly I want to thank all my friends who have been down countless times ...
"And last but not least all the doctors and everyone from the Waikato District Health Board. They've been amazing - so keep up the good work."
He would not get his prosthetic limb for another three to four months, depending on how his stump healed.
"I haven't chosen a limb yet. I don't know what kind of colour I want to get or anything like that you know," Mr Pike laughed.
"A very nice blue would go down well."
He did not plan to go back to work straight away.
"I think I'll probably spend more time on recovery than I probably need to because I'd like to get back to my fit old self and be really confident going back teaching.
His mother, Tracy Pike, said the whole experience had been a big deal, but enlightening. "I think just a little bit, it does make you reassess where you are and what you're doing."
She said the family wanted to thank the public and the hospital.
Her son was already planning to return to Mt Ruapehu.
"Some people have offered to take him back, to take him by helicopter as soon as he wants to, but he doesn't want to do that.
"The only way he wants to go is walk."
- NZPA
