After finding out her son was a match, she accepted.
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In what has been described as a “historic achievement”, 41-year-old Patrick Hardison’s burned face was peeled off and replaced with that of 26-year-old NY cyclist David Rodebaugh.
Hardison also said his three kids were terrified of him.
Mr Hardison’s face was nearly unrecognisable after being burnt, so nearly 14 years later he underwent a series of surgeries that led up to a final face transplant. But Rodriguez told of one important moment, when he took Hardison to Macy’s to buy new clothes -Hardison became emotional when he realized that no one was staring at him, Rodriguez said. In six months, he should be able to speak normally, he said. On September 5, the 27-year-old, seven-year veteran volunteer firefighter responded to a blaze in Senatobia. Patrick Hardison was left severely disfigured in 2001 when the roof of burning building collapsed while searching for a missing woman. He closed his eyes and jumped out the window.
Patrick’s injuries were extensive. He suffered third-degree burns on his head, neck, and upper torso. His recovery is going well and he has had no issues with tissue rejection, a major concern for transplant patients, Rodriguez said. Hardison was finally put in touch with Dr. Rodriguez of NYU and was then set to be the first First Responder to undergo a facial transplant.
“His mother immediately said yes” to the face transplant, Irving said.
David P. Rodebaugh, 26, was the donor, hospital officials said.
“I am deeply grateful to my donor and his family”.
“They have done a lot for me. I could see just a little bit”, he recalled.
More than two dozen face transplants have been performed worldwide since the first one in France in 2005.
He told reporters that an unprecedented amount of tissue was transplanted in Patrick. And so, doctors practiced. “They’re working everyday trying to get this transplant done”, Hardison said.
The extent of Patrick’s face transplant is incredible. It extends from the top of his head, over his skull, and down to the collarbone, fitting Hardison like a hood.
Among other parts of the surgery doctors called a “milestone” for this type of surgery: Transplantation of the ears and ear canals; transplantation of selective bony structures such as chin, cheeks and the entire nose; and advanced use of 3-D modeling and printing for patient-specific cutting guides to create a precise “snap-fit” of the skeleton.
He also has new eyelids and muscles that control blinking, as he was previously unable to close his eyes completely, it added.
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NYU, which will pay for the estimated $US1 million surgery, took the case after a firefighter colleague reached out on behalf of Mr Hardison, whose own children were initially terrified of their father’s disfigured face. “I am very excited to share my story to help others, especially fellow firefighters and members of the armed services who have been injured in the line of duty”.
