Until June last year, he was a healthy 42-year-old with no history of heart disease.
But that changed when he contracted the flu, which lingered and sapped his energy. Eight weeks later his heart, kidneys and liver began to shut down. His heart function dropped to 11 per cent and his white blood cell count plummeted.
A machine - effectively a metal heart known as a LVAD - was surgically fitted as a last resort. It keeps the Macedon man alive until a donor heart is available.
After more than eight months on the organ donation waiting list, he and partner Karen Lowe face a daily ritual of checking his temperature and complexion as his immune system continues to weaken.
They must also check and charge the batteries of the mechanical heart and travel for hours to attend medical appointments.
The machine has its problems and can cause strokes and life-threatening infections.
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