something they shared.

They sighed, smiled, laughed and wisecracked like millions of other friends do every day.

And, just occasionally, a touch of religion crept into the conversation.

But that was alright. For Cal Ming and Wayne Hollis understand each other pretty well.

In fact, their friendship is stronger than either of them could ever express properly in words.

It is the bond formed from something they shared -- a heart transplant operation.

"I love him just like my children,'' said father-of-nine Mr. Hollis, putting his arm around his pal.

Mr. Hollis yesterday dropped round for a chat at Mr. Ming's home in Rocklands Estate, Warwick -- and The Royal Gazette listened to some of the exchanges.

The pair have enjoyed a long friendship.

But it has been immeasurably strengthened by their shared ordeal.

Said Mr. Hollis: "We have got a lot more in common now. I can say certain things to Cal which only he would understand.

"We have both got a closer relationship with God, and things that used to appear so important now seem trivial.'' The two could even be light-hearted about their experience.

"They put 18 holes in me,'' said Mr. Ming, who spent several days in hospital attached to all manner of tubes.

"I only had two holes in me,'' Mr. Hollis came back.

Mr. Hollis became Bermuda's first heart transplant patient last year following his operation at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

His friend had his seven-hour operation shortly afterwards in April at Pittsburgh Presbyterian University Hospital.

Both were in high spirits yesterday and seemed to be making big strides towards recovery, although they still make regular returns to hospital.

Mr. Ming has even been hailed "Presby's miracle'' because of his progress.

And he will be at home for Christmas with his wife, Juanita, and their children, Carol, 20, Carla, 17, and 12-year-old Cal.

He also hopes to start work again with the National Drug Commission in the New Year.

"I am feeling well. After the operation I was so weak I could not even step on a sidewalk. I couldn't do up the buttons on my shirt. I had to learn everything over again.'' But it wasn't just physical.

"I found I couldn't calculate the most simple mathematical equations. I used to be able to grasp things very quickly, but I found I had to read things over and over again.

"I'm still not back to where I was. I try to read a lot to exercise my mind.'' Mr. Hollis appears to have had it easier in the immediate aftermath of his operation.

"The second day after it was carried out I was up and walking around. People recover at totally different rates.'' But, sadly, he received a setback recently when he injured his spine in a road crash in Baltimore. And he expects to return to hospital over Christmas.

"I'm worried about getting arthritis.'' He also has cash worries, despite the generosity of Bermudians. His medical bill comes to $1,800 a month.

To look at, the pair of them seemed to have made a complete recovery.

But their lives have changed for ever -- and the medication they receive, including steroids, causes side effects.

"It gives me mood swings. I get very emotional and edgy. I was watching television the other day and suddenly started crying.

"I said to myself `hey, Cal, this is not like you'. It's something you recognise and have to deal with.'' Mr. Hollis also finds he has become short-tempered, and has problems with Bermuda's "heavy'' air.

The pair have to avoid direct sunlight as well, and are vulnerable to germs.

Even water has to be boiled.

Despite the hardships, the final words between them were light-hearted.

Asked Mr. Hollis: "How much do you weigh, Cal. I'm 236.'' "Hey, I'm catching up with you friend, I'm 220,'' was the reply.

HEART TO HEART -- Heart transplant patients Mr. Cal Ming (left) and Mr. Wayne Hollis.