A GREENOCK man told he could have only six months to live has made a 'miraculous' recovery thanks to the help of his hospital.
Archie McAulay had all but given up as he struggled with kidney failure.
He was too ill to leave the house and had to have round the clock care.
But a decision to start kidney dialysis at Inverclyde Royal's renal unit not only saved his life - but completely changed it.
Eighteen months later he says the hospital's 'five star hotel treatment' has given him a second chance. 
Archie, 79, of Dunlop Street, said: "I really had all but given up.
"My health problems were getting worse and worse.
"I just thought that was it, because of my age.
"I went to the kidney clinic for my bloods and check ups.
"I have a heart condition caused by a heart attack - one side of my heart doesn't work properly - and wouldn't have survived surgery, so couldn't have a transplant. 
"To be honest I wouldn't have taken one with my age. I would want to give someone younger a chance."
It was during a clinic visit that Archie was told by consultant Dr Jamie Traynor that his kidneys wouldn't last another six months without dialysis.
Mr McAulay added: "I was so apprehensive and scared about dialysis.
"But within three months I had my life back and more - not only would I live longer but I had a quality of life that I'd never had for a long time.
"I can do everything again, all the things I couldn't do before the dialysis.
"I am back at 100 per cent."
Archie's visits to the renal unit for dialysis three times a week take four hours at a time and have even helped the long distance lorry driver to take up his lifelong hobby again.
Grandad Archie said: "I have started keeping canaries again. I had to stop before because I wasn't fit enough."
The dad-of-three and his wife Margaret, 81, recently celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary and are now looking forward to their daughter Louise coming home from New Zealand for a visit.
He said: "I get very emotional about all of this. I wouldn't have been able to have any of this if it wasn't for kidney dialysis."
Up to 68 kidney patients like Archie benefit from having the renal unit on their doorstep.
It opened in 1999 and was extended in 2004, and is now able to take up to 14 patients at any one time.
Archie added: "The doctors and nursing staff in the Inverclyde Royal are the very best. It is like being in a five star hotel.
"I have been up to the Queen Elizabeth for some treatments and it isn't a patch on what we have here.
"They are just amazing. They even said that if I wanted to go away on holiday they can make arrangements for me to get dialysis.
Staff at the renal unit are also keen to raise awareness of kidney disease and actively encourage people to consider registering as donors.
Senior charge nurse Julie Tortolano looks after patients on dialysis and also those coming to their busy weekly clinics.
She said: "People are often scared of dialysis but it can make such a huge difference - it can really change people's lives.
"Anyone who needs dialysis can always get it."