glad you are getting better.
they are often 'house' plants varieties so keep then out of draughts but with good light. water when the soil becomes just dry on the surface. dead head regularly.
in the past I have kept them as summer patio plants bringing them in frost free come the winter months. I think I had one for about 3 years.

I had one that when repottd the next year went on to have bigger leaves, I think it had been given a growth supressant

Oops, I put mine outside (in its pot) a week ago because the buds were going brown. Have I put the kiss of death on it?

Hard to tell, Arbuthnot. Once hardened off, most kinds are hardy at least in sheltered locations, but it sounds like yours didn't have much chance to harden off.