Katie and Neil Sutton have thoroughly enjoyed the slow-paced, easy quiet of lockdown after a tumultuous start to their year.
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Mr Sutton was rushed to Wagga Base Hospital in January following a bowel obstruction, and faced an incredibly difficult five months of recovery, including a six-week coma and time in the ICU.
The pair are overflowing with gratitude for the countless doctors, nurses and staff members who supported them along the way.
Mr Sutton's loving wife Kay, known to everyone as "Katie", remained by his side the entire time, travelling hundreds of kilometres each day between the hospital and their off-grid property in Ariah Park.
She says there are too many doctors, nurses and staff for her to name, but she wants to give a special thank you to Dr James Austin, head of ICU.
"He was just a godsend because he was the only doctor that would listen to me," she said.
"He would sit down and explain everything until I understood it, and he would sit and talk to me; he's really lovely."
When Mr Sutton was first taken to Wagga Base, he was put on life support and underwent surgery. The operation was a success, but he didn't wake up for six weeks' time.
Mrs Sutton said every staff member in the ICU was "fantastic" and supported her endlessly; everyone from the nurses and doctors, to the staff at the front desk and the security guards.
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Mr Sutton was told that he would never walk again but he is already making significant progress, defying all odds in the process.
"He got up one day and did it himself, he just stood up with the walker and walked," Mrs Sutton said through tears.
The couple also want to thank a young social worker named Lauren who was there every step of the way.
"Anything that needed emailing or whatever, she just did it all; she was fantastic," Mrs Sutton said.
Mrs Sutton said she and her husband have supported each other through so much since getting married six years ago.
They first met on a trip from Coolamon to Sydney with a group of over 50s to watch AC/DC perform in the city.
"Everyone else went to bed and we sat up on the balcony and we just walked and laughed all night and we fell in love," Mrs Sutton said.
"He was ready to give up with the Parkinson's when I came along, so we've given each other a new start."
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