'I was right-handed but now I am left-handed' quadruple amputee reveals after hand transplant in Leeds
A woman who suffered a quadruple amputation has undergone a successful hand transplant in Leeds - and revealed she is now left-handed.
Kim Smith, 64, lost all her limbs after contracting an infection and then getting sepsis while on holiday in Alicante in Spain in 2017. She was later put on a UK waiting list for a double hand transplant.
Kim under went a 14 hour long double hand transplant operation but sadly the right hand was not successful. However Kim, who was previously right-handed, has told of her joy at now having a new, working hand - and how she has naturally become left-handed
This type of hand surgery is only carried out in the UK by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
He said: “Kim faced unexpected and severe complications during surgery which meant we were could only successfully complete one hand transplant, not the double replacement we had hoped to carry out. Nonetheless her recovery has been remarkable. It is heart-warming to see how much her life has changed with her new hand thanks to the generosity of her donor and their family.”
Kim, from Milton Keynes, Bucks, said: "I was right-handed, but now I am left-handed. I just do everything left handed and it came naturally, I have even written with my left hand. I am absolutely over the moon about my new arm, because it feels so incredible, almost as if I’ve had it my whole life."
Kim 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.
She said: "I’ve gone full glass-half-full now, just grateful that at least one transplant worked. My my husband promised to buy me new rings as my hands fingers are slightly bigger, so I’m wearing Claire’s Accessories ones for now. The hand itself is perfect and beautiful and looks like it’s meant to be mine."
Kim told how she was overjoyed when she first saw her new hand and has been amazed how quickly she has been able to use it. She said: "I honestly didn’t expect to be able to do so much so soon, even though motor skills can take a year or so to come back, four years until I get full feeling. I’m already picking things up and managing to clean my teeth, do my hair, and put on my makeup.
"The 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." I was most excited to brush my teeth and feed myself again because holding a toothbrush or a fork and actually being able to use it felt like the loveliest little miracle after being told for so long that it might never work.
"The 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’d already come."
Kim has said she has now given up on her dream of having two hands, but is simply happy at having her lovely new left hand.
He said: "While I never say never about a right-hand transplant, I’m 64 now and it would mean waiting another year even to be considered. I’m honestly just happy to have this one for the rest of my life because it’s already giving me so much independence. I don’t know who the donor is, but I’ve written to their family to say how grateful I am, knowing they’re grieving and might not reply.
"Meanwhile I’m regaining strength little by little, able to hold my phone, type on it, wear my Pandora bracelet again.
Kim's transplant was carried out by Professor Simon Peter Jabir Kay OBE at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He said: "Hands are so much more than mechanical parts, they play an irreplaceable role in human communication and connection and so it is always an honour to be able to carry out such a life-changing surgery.
“Kim faced unexpected and severe complications during surgery which meant we were could only successfully complete one hand transplant, not the double replacement we had hoped to carry out. Nonetheless her recovery has been remarkable. It is heart-warming to see how much her life has changed with her new hand thanks to the generosity of her donor and their family."
Kim Smith is the subject of The Gift, a powerful new Sky News documentary.
There is more information about the service on the Leeds Teaching Hospitals website, including information on who can receive a transplant and how to join the waiting list.