Olympic Torch (1 year on)

[dall05]

Its a year since the Olympic torch passed this way. It brings back memories of the day a consultant from ITU phoned and asked if it was ok if he nominated me to carry the torch.

After about 1 milli second of thinking about it I said 'yes of course you can'

He said there was an official entry form which he e-mailed to me as I had to read and authorise his attatched note, giving the reasons he thought I should have the opportunity to carry the torch.

To put it simply the reason he said he nominated me was I should not have survived the double pheumonia which came so close to taking my life. It didn't make easy reading when you read that about yourself but I new he was right.

When I finally left the intensive care unit after two and a half months, still 3 and a half stone lighter than when I entered and bed ridden they told me I was now their new record holder for the longest staying patient. Its a record I could do without but hey' I was alive!

Well I didn't get the torch but I watched it pass the garage where I had worked for 30 years where I took the attatched photo. (should have been me)

I still consider myself to be so incredibly lucky to be here as it took a massive effort from all the teams concerned to get me back to where I am now.

If ever I feel a little low I only have to think back to those bad old days when life really was in the balance and I soon return to the happy go lucky person that I am these days.

I may have another battle to face if the transplant happens but at least I have sort of been there and done it which should help 2nd time around.

It was watching the olympics that inspired me to up my exercise to new levels which has really benifited me so much. I'm in much better shape now so its a big thanks to Seb Coe and his team for what was an amaizing olympics and its timing came perfectly to give me the kick up the behind that was needed to push on and help myself.

Tony. (the olympic torch bearer wanna-be)