AN emotional Ron Carter has described how the life-saving transplant he had two weeks ago will change his life.

When Ron, 59, of Helnstale, Haydon Wick, went into Papworth Hospital in Cambridge it was on an urgent donation waiting list because it was feared he was running out of time.

But now thanks to doctors there it looks like Ron can soon look forward to a new lease of life as a grandfather.

"You already think differently," he said.

"Ten months ago I was told if you don't get a new heart in two years you are gone.

"In the reality of it, that's what it was.

"I'd come to terms with that nine months ago."

The man who launched the Adver's Gift of Life initiative has been told by doctors that he is making excellent progress - and that he should be going home today.

"It would be nice to get back to normality," he said.

Currently taking 16 tablets a day to make sure his body does not reject the heart, Ron will continue his recovery at home.

But just two weeks after the operation, and four years after doctors said he needed a new heart because of a debilitating condition, he is already walking and talking normally.

"I can't explain how I felt," he said.

"It really was instant.

"Before the operation I could not breathe normally.

"I'd have to have breathed for myself all the time. I lay there and felt it work."

Once Ron has recovered he plans to take all his family on holiday.

But he is most looking forward to the party for his sixtieth birthday in September and playing with his two grandchildren.

He said: "Now I can give them a cuddle.

"I haven't been able to do that for a long time, just pick them up and throw them around."

Ron first heard that there might be a heart for him while he was watching television, though a call to the coordinators had come in several hours earlier.

"It was half way through the Barcelona versus Manchester United game and the nurse came in and said Can I just have a quiet word with you?' and she said I think we might have a heart'.

"Emotions were all over the place. I'm finding this a bit emotional.

"We met Mr Dunning the surgeon and he said It is nice to meet you, hopefully tomorrow morning, if this heart is OK, we can go ahead. I'm going home for a good night's sleep."

After hearing of the possible donor at around 9.15pm, Ron did not actually have his operation until 7.15am the next day.

But despite the worry Ron was full of praise for the hospital staff and could not fault the care he received.

Now he, and wife Jenny can look forward to the future and plan the life Ron was not sure he was going to get.

"I've got a list this long of all the things that I want to do," he said.

He says he is grateful to the family of the organ donor - who must still be mourning their loss but who have given him so much.

"It is strange - you don't think about it all the time then you wake up in the middle of the night and you reflect on these things and it comes across your mind.

"I would like to meet the family to thank them for what they did.

"Unfortunately, this seems unlikely as the recipient can only communicate with the donor family through anonymous letters."

  • Ron fronted the launch of the Adver's Gift of Life initiative.

The drive is aimed at getting more people to sign up as blood, organ and bone marrow donors.

For more information about donating blood visit www.blood.co.uk, for details about organ donation visit www.uktransplant.org.uk and to offer bone marrow visit www.blood.co.uk/pages/marrow_info.html.

Do you have a donation story to tell? Has a member of your family been on the organ donor list? Do you think more people should give blood? If so email estreatfield@ swindonadvertiser.co.uk or newsdesk@swindonadvertiser.co.uk or call 01793 501806.