Recovering football president is star patient

Kevin Lynn has been called many things in his life — a president, a principal, a pioneer. Now, he can add survivor to that list.

In his own words, the South West Football League president got “as close as you could get” to death six weeks ago.

The colourful Bunbury identity was struck down by an aortic aneurism — a condition the Australian Medical Association warns has a high mortality rate and requires urgent surgery.

About half the people affected do not even make it to hospital. Even less come out alive.

“I’m more than lucky. Jill (my wife) just got me to the hospital,” Mr Lynn said.

“I was dead.”

In his first interview since the health scare, Mr Lynn, 72, spoke of the highs and lows of his long road to recovery, and what it was like to come face-to-face with the surgeon who saved his life.

“I met him one night at about 9 o’clock. It was quite dark in here,” Mr Lynn said.

“I thought it might have been an intruder. His voice said ‘Hello Kevin’ and he gave his name.

“I said you’re the man I wanted to see. I said I want to thank you.

“I reached out for his hand and he said ‘don’t thank me’.

“His words will stay with me. He said ‘You are my little star’.

“It’s actually hit me in the heart that he said that to me.

“He saved my life. It’s quite humbling to meet someone who has saved your life.”

The long-time SWFL president and lifetime educator is on track to make an impressive recovery.

Despite being unclear on his football future, Mr Lynn is pressing ahead with business and he gives credit to the game he loves for his improving condition.

Next week Mr Lynn was due to launch a book by Bob Biddulph on the history of the football in Margaret River.

While he won’t be able to attend Thursday’s function in the tourist town, Mr Lynn talked up “Riding the Bumps Football and Life in Augusta-Margaret River 1904-1965” from his Bunbury hospital room this week.

He also received hourly updates on the South West’s league and colts teams’ victories at the Landmark Country Football Championships carnival earlier this month and said the results had given him a “huge boost”.

Mr Lynn and his wife said they wanted to thank the hundreds of well-wishers who had offered their support while he was bedridden.

“It made me quite humbled to think people rang non-stop and were emailing,” Mr Lynn said.

“But you wouldn’t want to go through what I’ve been through.”