Bashed good Samaritan Lucy Knight has had her first visit from her two of her younger children as she continues to recover from head injuries she suffered when she intervened in a bag snatch a week ago.
She is also managing to eat, drink and walk unaided for short distances.
Ms Knight, 43, suffered a fractured skull and underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed after she was allegedly hit by a teenager trying to steal another woman's bag at Countdown Northcote last Tuesday.
A day later friends of the mother-of-six set up a fundraising page that has so far collected more than $260,000 in donations.
Mr Thomas has been keeping family and friends updated on his wife's progress through Facebook posts.
"Today was a much better day for Lucy," he wrote.
"The highlight was when she walked unaided for a wee bit. This was so good to see. Today, she has managed more food, drink and some nice short conversations. Less pain today too.
"She is a really calm and accepting patient. One might even say a patient patient.
She is a bit concerned about her partially shaven head but we assure her that it will grow back. Saying that she is dubious is an understatement."
He revealed that the couple's middle children Rowan, 11, and Phoebe, 7, had visited their mum in hospital at the weekend.
Eldest daughter Laura, 21, and son Oscar, 14, had previously visited. The couple's youngest children Max, 4, and Bene, 2, were with Ms Knight when she was assaulted.
"It was really nice that she had a few moments with Phoebe, Rowan, Oscar and Laura. It was a bit of a shock for Phoebe and Rowan to see her in this way... They were all so good," Mr Thomas wrote.
He said thumbs up was "becoming Lucy's special sign".
"She is such a calm and accepting patient. I am so proud of her."
He had previously posted a message of thanks to people supporting the family.
"Thank you everyone for your tremendous kindness, care and love. The help you are giving us is incredible, and the kids, wider family and I are so very grateful to you all," he said.
"he beautiful messages of support have given us great hope, pride and strength. I just wish I could reply to everyone individually. At this stage Lucy doesn't really understand what has happened but I know she will be amazed by the outpouring of kindness."