‘Life is too short’ - Couple to renew vows following near-death illness
Amy and Marc Back with their dog, Foxy, who will be attending their wedding vows renewal ceremony Picture: Jacob Massey - Credit: Archant
In January, Amy Back was making arrangements for her husband’s funeral.
Mr and Mrs Back will be renewing their vows and raising money for the NNUH dialysis team Picture: Jacob Massey - Credit: Archant
But now, she is preparing to renew her wedding vows to the love of her life Marc in a “very special ceremony” as he continues to fight a deadly kidney condition - which was made worse by his pet budgies.
In 2004 Mr Back had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy and renal failure.
Mr Back’s illnesses meant he was no longer able to work, with Mrs Back becoming his full time carer.
He now has end-stage renal failure, meaning his kidneys no longer function, and he does three hours of dialysis treatment a day at his home in Sidney Close.
While the treatment keeps Mr Back alive, it is not a substitute for a functioning kidney and he is extremely weak and prone to contracting illnesses.
Since his diagnosis, his health has been in decline, however, last December Mr Back’s condition took a nosedive.
Most Read
- 1 Four men arrested following altercation by Great Yarmouth pub
- 2 Tyson Fury is making a comeback to Gorleston
- 3 Yarmouth's wizard hotel to appear on Four in a Bed
- 4 'It's just not viable anymore' - Pub near Great Yarmouth closes
- 5 Man who raped teen jailed for six years
- 6 Police called to 'altercation' between pupils at Norfolk school
- 7 Date set for road reopening after sewer collapse
- 8 Man to be sentenced next month over Norfolk pub attack
- 9 Hospital opens £1.2m eye operation theatre to cut waiting times
- 10 Gorleston traders remain positive despite cost of living crisis
Mr Back said: “I had two months where life didn’t exist; it just got worse and worse. I saw around five doctors at the James Paget and they did all sorts of tests, but a month on I had lost about four stone and they still didn’t know what was wrong with me. They didn’t have the renal consultants there so they had to send me to Norwich to have the proper tests.”
It was found Mr Back was allergic to birds, meaning every weekend he returned home from the Paget, the company of his six budgies was worsening his condition.
After taking them back to the pet store, his health began to improve, and having celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary, the couple have decided to renew their vows.
Mrs Back said: “I was told to expect the worst. I already had a funeral planned. So we’re going all out now.”
At the ceremony there will be a raffle in aid of the NNUH dialysis team, with prizes including a signed Norwich flag, boat trips and theatre tickets.
The raffle will take place after the renewal of their vows at 6pm at the Grange Hotel, in Ormesby St Margaret, on Saturday, June 16.
Tickets can be purchased from the hotel.
