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Amputee Kim Smith pre- and post-transplant \u2013 SWNS<\/p>\n Amputee Kim Smith pre- and post-transplant \u2013 SWNS<\/p>\n
A woman who lost all her limbs after contracting an infection and getting sepsis while on vacation in Spain eight years ago is now thrilled after receiving a new hand.<\/p>\n
Kim Smith and her doctors were trying for a double hand transplant during the 14-hour surgery, but the right hand had to be abandoned. Despite that, she\u2019s \u2018over the moon\u2019 and has declared herself now to be left-handed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was right-handed, but now I just do everything left-handed and it came naturally,\u201d said the 64-year-old. \u201cI have even written with my left hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am absolutely over the moon about my new arm, because it feels so incredible, almost as if I\u2019ve had it my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman from Buckinghamshire, England, even joked how her husband Steve was going to buy her new wedding and engagement rings because the fingers of her new hand were slightly bigger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve gone full-on glass-half-full now\u2014just grateful that at least one transplant worked,\u201d Kim told SWNS news agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hand itself is perfect\u2014and beautiful\u2014and looks like it\u2019s meant to be mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Kim Smith after hand transplant \u2013 SWNS<\/p>\n
Kim described how she was overjoyed when she first saw her new hand, and has been amazed how quickly she\u2019s been able to use it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly didn\u2019t expect to be able to do so much so soon, even though motor skills can take a year or so to come back\u2014four years until I get full feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m already picking things up and managing to clean my teeth, do my hair, and put on my makeup.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe day after the operation, when they finally unbandaged the arm and let me very gently move my fingertips, it felt absolutely incredible because I could feel myself moving it, and from that moment it has just gone from strength to strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was most excited to brush my teeth and feed myself again because holding a toothbrush or a fork\u2014and actually being able to use it\u2014felt like the loveliest little miracle after being told for so long that \u2018it might never work\u2019.<\/p>\n
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Kim Smith \u2013 SWNS<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first time I picked up a glass of wine with no problem and then held an ice cream without dropping it, I was in disbelief at how far I\u2019d already come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kim has pretty much given up on her dream of having two hands, but is happy with her lovely new left hand.<\/p>\n
BABY OVERCOMES ZERO ODDS: Guinness Record Holder for Most Premature Baby is Thriving at 1-Year Old\u2013and All Giggles After \u2018Zero Odds\u2019 to Live<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhile I never say never about a right-hand transplant, I\u2019m 64, now and it would mean waiting another year even to be considered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m honestly just happy to have this one for the rest of my life because it\u2019s already giving me so much independence.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know who the donor was, but I\u2019ve written to their family to say how grateful I am, knowing they\u2019re grieving and (they) might not reply.<\/p>\n \u201cMeanwhile I\u2019m regaining strength little by little, able to hold my phone, type on it, and wear my Pandora bracelet again.\u201d<\/p>\n DOCTORS RESTORE HIS PASSION: Conductor with Parkinson\u2019s Gets Brain Stimulation Device to Stop Shakes so He Can Lead Orchestra Once Again<\/a><\/p>\n Kim\u2019s transplant was carried out by Professor Simon Peter Jabir Kay OBE at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who commented on the surgery.<\/p>\n \u201cHands are so much more than mechanical parts, they play an irreplaceable role in human communication and connection, and so it is always an honor to be able to carry out such a life-changing surgery.<\/p>\n \u201cKim faced unexpected and severe complications during surgery which meant we could only successfully complete one hand transplant, not the double replacement we had hoped to carry out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonetheless her recovery has been remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n