KEY POINTS:
The Auckland climber who had his right leg amputated after being caught in an eruption on Mt Ruapehui last month is looking forward to his favourite thing later today.
William Pike's mum, Tracy Pike, is going to make him a cup of green tea.
Mr Pike, a 22-year-old Auckland primary school teacher, was inside Dome Hut near Ruapehu's summit when rocks and debris crashed in, and crushed his legs during the eruption on September 25.
Today Ms Pike said her son's condition was improving.
"William's good, he's good in himself and quite bright and trying to get as much information from the medical team as he can, and I just help him to digest all that they're telling him," she said.
Mr Pike has been moved from Waikato Hospital's high dependency unit to a medical ward.
"We turned the first corner on Friday night, which was wonderful, because he's fighting his infections now and could come to a ward," Ms Pike said.
In a major milestone Mr Pike, aided, sat up on his bed this morning.
His arms were shaking "so he's shattered and asleep".
"Of all things today, he really wants a cup of green tea, which is his very favourite thing and so I've got the teabags and ... will probably take a picture of that," Ms Pike said.
She was unsure how much longer her son would be on daily dialysis and said that surgery had been taking place every other day.
"Tomorrow they will have another look and see just what they are going to do with the right leg, whether it's ready for closure or how they will construct the closure."
Last week the activity at Mt Ruapehu after last month's volcanic eruption was been downgraded to the lowest alert level, but scientists say more eruptions could strike without warning.
Visitors to the mountain were advised to follow GNS Science and Department of Conservation guidelines as to where the areas at risk of volcanic activity were.
- NZPA
