A MAN who had a heart transplant and was undergoing chemotherapy when he contracted coronavirus has staged a remarkable recovery.

Ian Cobb was applauded by staff as he left the intensive care unit where he had been battling the disease on what was both his wedding anniversary and his wife’s birthday.

Mr Cobb, 48, from Wool, was released from Poole Hospital ICU on June 3 following a 60 day battle against the virus, most of which was spent on a ventilator.

His delighted family said it was the best present they could have asked for.

Mr Cobb’s stepdaughter, Danielle Thompson, said: “It’s been a rollercoaster that’s for sure, one I wouldn’t like to get on again. He’s just a miracle, he really is.

“He wants to make everyone aware that coronavirus really isn’t a joke. There were many times when the doctors thought he wasn’t going to make it. He’s completely changed, it’s not just the physical side of things, it’s mentally draining.

“The NHS staff have been amazing. Nurses and doctors were lined up in the halls and applauded him when he left the ICU.” He was diagnosed with Amyloidosis in August 2014, which led to a heart transplant in October of that same year.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease which occurs when an abnormal protein called amyloid builds up in organs and interferes with their usual functions.

Mr Cobb also underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2017 and has received regular chemotherapy since being diagnosed with Amyloidosis in 2014.

He tested positive for coronavirus on March 16, he was released from hospital on April 3 because doctors thought he would be safer at home, but he was readmitted three days later as he became too unwell.

He is now in the rehabilitation stage, once he is strong enough and can walk by himself he will be allowed to go home.

Mrs Thompson continued: “He’s extremely weak and very emotional. He’s gone through so much and it all feels very unfair to him.

“If it was just one thing it may be manageable, but from him it’s just been one thing after another. However, he still continues to fight.

“He’s fighting for his family. I have no idea where he gets it from. I’m sure a lot of other people would have given up by now.“We said to him that he deserves a part in the next Marvel movie and he joked that his character would be ‘Captain Sicknote’.

Through everything he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.”

Mr Cobb asked his stepdaughter to convey his thoughts on the importance of organ donation and the NHS.

Mrs Thompson said: “If it wasn’t for his donor and their family he wouldn’t be here. We are eternally grateful. “He also wants to say how amazing the staff and the NHS are. Without them he wouldn’t be here. They really are heroes.”