Heart gives Robin second chance at life

Robin Turner is thankful to be alive after a heart transplant saved his life earlier this year.

After multiple health problems, the Bunbury resident had the surgery in January and six months down the track, he is feeling well.

Speaking during Donate Life Week - a national awareness initiative to promote organ and tissue donation - Mr Turner said his life had been changed as a result of someone's generosity.

In 2011 he found out dizzy spells were actually ventricular tachycardia, which meant his heart was beating much faster than usual.

He thought his heart troubles were behind him when he had a pacemaker and defibrillator inserted and he felt fine for the next few years.

However, in May last year he experienced another ventricular tachycardia while working at the Bunbury Cemetery crematorium.

"This sent my heart racing and my defibrillator shocked me," Mr Turner said.

"I needed the Royal Flying Doctor Service to fly me to Perth for a cardiac ablation, which involves a catheter being inserted through a vein in my groin and threaded to my heart.".

Mr Turner said doctors at Royal Perth Hospital tried the procedure another three times but it did not work and he moved to Perth with his wife Caroline in November. A month later he was placed on the organ waiting list.

"I was almost permanently in bed and carrying massive amounts of fluid, especially in my legs," he said.

"I only had to wait six months before I got the call to have the surgery at Royal Perth Hospital on January 28 - I know I'm lucky because there are a lot of people who have been on it for years.

"It was a feeling euphoria when I found out I was having the operation because I had resigned myself to the fact there was a good possibility I wasn't going to make it."

Mr Turner said he was feeling better every day even though he felt some frustration about not being able to do many tasks that involved strength.

"I know from experience what a difference people can make by donating organs, it has meant so much to me and my family."