Travis Barker knows how lucky he is to have survived that fatal plane crash last month. The drummer opened up to Us Weekly, telling the mag how he's always had a fear of flying -- way before he and pal DJ AM were burned badly in an accident that resulted in the deaths of the jet's four other passengers.

"I hate planes," Trav said. "My biggest fear ever is to be involved in a plane crash, so when that happened ... well, I'm just thankful to be alive! I'm just grateful to be here at all."

The former Blink-182 member revealed how he's been doing since that fateful night, and what he is most looking forward to doing as he heals. Here's an excerpt from the interview that he gave to the magazine, from his hospital bed in Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles:

How are you doing?
"I am doing the best I can possibly be. I'm so anxious to get out of here. ...I've just been in surgery after surgery. I have third degree burns basically from my feet up to my waist and both hands. One of my hands was second degree burns and one was third degree burns. I'm trying to have a quick recovery and play the drums again and be able to hold my kids again. I'm going nuts not being able to see them and spend time with them!"

After over 25 years as a vegetarian, you had to start eating meat again. Why?
"I need protein from food rather than just protein supplements. I changed my diet. I would do anything I possibly could if they said like, 'There's a possibility you might heal faster if you do eat meat or just change your eating habits.' So I did. I don't regret it at all, I feel so much better."

How much longer will you be in the hospital?
"Oh gosh, I hope not much longer. I sit here and I read books and watch TV. I think if this surgery went well, I'll be here for at most two weeks."

We can't wait for him to be back playing the drums, either. Continue to get well!