I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.
I was on dialysis for 18 months before the transplant, so it was important I tried to look ahead to days like my comeback this Saturday. You need those big goals to drive you on.
I was this guy who`d been racing around down there, on that field in 1999, running straight over people, scoring tries, winning games, having fun. And I ended up so sick I couldn`t even run past a little baby.
I was diagnosed with the illness right before the 1995 World Cup.
I thought about dying whenever I got bad news about other people.
How do I take a step? How do I lift my foot off the ground, move it through the air a little bit and then bring it down? I had to teach myself to walk again.
It`s been a long road back to health and fitness for me. I am just glad to have been given the opportunity to do what I love most.
When I was playing I felt tired all the time. My recovery period was a lot longer than the other players. They`d be ok after an hour - I`d have to stay in bed till the next session.
Towards the end of 2003 it was hard to get through training - and the darkest point was when a doctor told me there was a possibility I could end up in a wheelchair.
The biggest thing for me is just to get out on that field. Just to do that will be incredible.
It`s a really exciting time to be involved in Welsh rugby.
It was like falling off a building and suddenly, bang, you hit the bottom. The first time it happened was on an ordinary day at home. I was taking down some curtains. I took one step, turned around, took another step and then I fell and hit my head hard on the rowing machine.
I am very excited to be here in Wales and look forward to putting on the Cardiff Blues shirt.