A BASINGSTOKE man is making a ‘miraculous’ recovery after a large operation.

John Gurney, 64, of Carter Drive, has had both of his lungs transplanted in recent months, despite being told two years ago he only had the weekend to live.

Mr Gurney was admitted to hospital in London two years ago due to lung problems, where doctors told him that he would not live for longer than a few days.

However, Mr Gurney not only survived the weekend, he survived the week, then the year and kept going, defying the odds.

He told The Gazette: “When I was in hospital before the operation,I would sometimes lie awake at night and think ‘is tonight the night?’ But not long after the operation, I really started to make a recovery.”

From hospital, he was moved to the care home Marnel Lodge, where he has stayed since August ,2014. He said: “It’s hard to put into words what it means to have the support from the staff at Marnel Lodge. They’ve been so supportive to me and it was unbelievable the welcome that I got. They’ve really contributed to me surviving all this time, it’s just too much for words.”

Even though trips to the hospital are still necessary, Mr Gurney said: “I’m sore at times, but I’m still healing. I’m not on oxygen anymore, I don’t have to use inhalers, it’s like a new lease of life. The doctors have been incredible, they couldn’t believe the recovery I’ve made. I really want to thank them, they have just been wonderful and did a great job.”

However, Mr Gurney’s recovery was not purely down to himself. He has had the support of his family, especially from his 17-year-old granddaughters.

The retired boiler engineer said: “I’d like to thank my twin granddaughters Rachel and Bekah. Without them, I’m sure I wouldn’t have survived. “They’ve been such a great help to me over the past few years.”