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[MUSIC]
What, how has this changed your life?
>> It's given me a lot of hope for the future.
I feel like I'm getting a second chance to start over after I got hurt.
So I I'm just excited, excited for the future and see where I can go with it.
>> Before this, what did you feel your prospects were?
How were you feeling?
>> I was feeling great before this, and I'm feeling a lot better now.
I was pretty happy with my life before.
I have a pretty great family, and we got through everything that happened really
well and, I was living life as a happy kid.
[SOUND]
>> My only request is when you ask your question please say your
name and your affiliation with what network or what media outlet you are with.
In the pink shirt right there >> Hi.
Hi, I'm Terese Schlachter with the Pentagon Channel.
Can you just tell, can you maybe show us what sort of movement that you have now
and what and then maybe the doctor, you can
describe what you hope to be able to do.
>> Well pretty much now I can move my elbow.
This is my elbow.The one I had before.
I can rotate a little bit.
This arm is pretty much
not much movement at all.
Not yet.
It's hopefully we're, we're hopeful for the future to
get some, some pretty good function out of it.
I hope.
>> Can you, can you feel your fingers yet or?
Do you think he will be able to?
>> Right, and that's exactly what we expect.
As I mentioned, the nerves regenerate at the maximum speed of one inch per month.
So considering where we did the transplant, and where
the nerves were connected, there are many, many inches.
And indeed many, many months and a couple
years, for that matter, before function will return.
That's exactly what we expect.
>> At this point I'd like to take a question from the phone conference.
Does anyone on the phone conference wish to ask a question right now?
>> There are no, no questions at the moment.
>> Okay, thank you.
yes.
>> Brendon, my name is Lucy Watson from [INAUDIBLE].
Can you tell, explain to me, how it feels?
>> I, it feels amazing.
It's something I would, I was waiting for for a long time.
And now that it finally happened, I
I really don't know what to say, because it's just such
a, a big thing for my life, and it's [NOISE] fantastic.
>> Next question.
The gentlemen right there with the tie.
>> Robert Moore from the the British network ITN.
Obviously, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a terrible toll
on some of the braver soldiers on both sides of the Atlantic.
I wonder what message you would give, to
amputees obviously many here in the United States,
but also in Britain and elsewhere, [COUGH] who
at times are despairing about their, rehabilitation prospects.
I wonder what, what message you have
for them, after such a remarkable recovery yourself.
>> Just to not give up hope.
You know, life always gets better when you're still alive and to be stubborn.
There's a lot of people who will say you can't do something.
Just be stubborn and do it anyway.
Work your *** off to do it.
[LAUGH]
>> Just a follow-up question with your doctor, if I may.
What is your message in terms of the progress that medicine
is making with transplants and assisting those who have suffered terrible injuries.
What is your message to patients, having seen Brendon's remarkable progress.
I think Brendon has already said it.
Don't give up hope.
Advances in medicine are being made every day in different areas.
Whether it's tissue transplantation or tissue regeneration.
Research is being performed throughout the world with
different ways of regenerating tissues or replacing arms.
So they should be optimistic, as we are, that
there will be new treatments and modalities currently not available.
>> At this point I want to stop and ask again from the
phone, those joining us by phone, if they have any questions at this moment.
>> [UNKNOWN] >> And for those on the panel that are
gonna answer the question, please state your name so they know who's responding.
Go ahead.
Hi, I'm sorry.
If, if you don't mind, I'm, I'm sorry to do this, but I've
been having a lot of trouble, a hard time trying to hear you.
If you don't mind talking closer to wherever the mic is, that'd be great.
Keeping to the question for Brendon, just wanted to know how, how
the new arms feel and then also find out about in home.
We heard a report that [INAUDIBLE] damage and one of the
things you wanna do when you get back is fix it up.
Can you talk a little about that [UNKNOWN] >> sure.
This is Brendan.
Arms feel great and not, no pain any more and things are healing up very well.
As for my house it's, it, it will get taken care of.
I wouldn't worry too much about that.
By the time I'm ready to go home it'll be tiptop,
so.
>> Allan.
>> Allen Abel from Toronto National Post.
Brendon, what recollections do you have of the, of the day you
were injured and when you first realized that all four limbs were gone.
How does, how does any soul survive that?
I, when, when it happened, I don't remember too much.
Pretty much happened and I woke up about three, couple days later.
When I woke up, I don't really remember what it was like.
Probably for, it's probably a good thing.
But so I, I don't really remember my reaction to that.
>> Did you never have a moment when you realized both arms and both legs are gone?
>> Obviously I realized it.
[LAUGH] >> [LAUGH]
>> Obviously, well, how did that, how did that, it's unimaginable to all of us.
>> I was still alive, so that's really all that, that mattered to me at the time.
>> All the way in the back, the young, right there in the middle, yes, you.
[UNKNOWN] with NBC in Washington, do you know anything about the donor,
and Brendan, you know, what would you say to the, that donor's family
>> I don't know too much about it, but I would, I would certainly, thank them.
I'm humbled by their gift.
And they, they're certainly changing my life.
And thank you.
I'd like to go back to the phone.
Does anyone joining us on the phone
conference have any questions at this point?
>> [INAUDIBLE] question from Jane [INAUDIBLE] from USA Today.
>> [INAUDIBLE] First of all, I wanna thank
you for everything you've done to serve our country.
>> Thank you.
>> We're very grateful.
I wish that I was there today.
I, I can't see you, and I'm sorry to have to ask this question.
Are you able to hold anything with your hands, or, or feel?
I mean, what do your arms feel like?
>> Currently I don't really have feeling or movement
in the, the hands yet, but we'll get there.
Gentleman right there in the back with glasses?
>> I'm Barry [INAUDIBLE] I work with CBS.
Brendan, takes a lot of courage to do what you did.
Congratulations.
I've I wanted to ask a flip side of this gentleman's question.
What were the thoughts going through you as you headed into this surgery?
The hope you had and then at the moment when
you first were able to have movement in the arms.
What were your thoughts?
>> I was extremely, happy, when, when Dr. Lee called me.
Little scared, obviously it's a big life changing thing and
it, it, it's just an amazing change for me.
Do you recall when you first had that movement
in your arms, what was going through your mind?
>> Yeah, I have no idea what was going through my mind.
>> [LAUGH]
>> I was, in there with my friends and did it
by accident, and one of my friends, was just like, freaking out.
He's like, did you do that on purpose?
No.
I didn't know I was doing it.
>> [LAUGH] >> But so I, it was an exciting night.
>> Tell us more about that.
What were you doing?
>> Just moving my wrist a little bit.
>> No, but what was the setting?
You were just with your friends?
>> I was in the SICU.
My friends were, had come to visit, and we were just sitting there talking.
>> Yes.
>> [UNKNOWN] ABC 7 news.
Brendan, how long ago did you learn that
you were going to be having this surgery, and
was it something that doctors came to you and said, hey, we want to try this on you?
>> I was given the opportunity to get into this from at
the time he was the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Amos.
And he asked me, or he told me a little
about the program and, would you be interested in it?
Of course I said yes.
And, he got me in touch with Dr. Lee then, from there it's, been about two years.
And, here we are.
>> So it was two years ago?
Just about, yeah.
>> Nick Kalman, Fox News.
How intensive is the physical therapy gonna be
going forward and, and the prognosis for that?
>> Right now it's, a lot of range of motion,
with the fingers and the wrists, and the, the, the elbow.
So right now it's, it's not too intense for
me, since I can't really feel what she's doing,
or there's some that I do, but down the road I'm sure it'll get a lot worse,
>> [LAUGH]
>> A lot more intensive, and just a
lot more work.
>> At this point, I want to go back to the
phones, For those that are conferencing in, do you have any
questions at this moment?
>> [UNKNOWN] >> Okay, Alex?
Where there any risks presented to you when they said,
you know, we'd like you to be in this program?
And did you ever think, maybe I won't do it, maybe I shouldn't do it.
Those kind of things?
>> no.
I mean, I've I've overcome so much in the last four
years that I, I really, honestly, I wasn't worried about the risks.
there's, worst case scenario, if I lose the arms, I go back to the way I was.
So, it's it was worth it to, to go through with it, certainly.
>> Gentlemen in the white shirt.
>> Brendan, >> Would you say your name, please?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Dan Friedman, New York Daily News.
>> You seem like you have a sense of humor and
that you are trying to take this as lightly as you can.
Can you talk about that?
Has that been the case for a long time?
>> Yeah.
It, it just, I don't, I don't take life too seriously.
>> [COUGH] >> I just have a lot of fun with it.
Me and my friends, just just enjoy, enjoy ourselves.
You know?
We, we don't get too too down on things, so it's
just one of those things that keeps me grounded, I guess.
>> Gentleman right here with the glasses.
>> [UNKNOWN] New York Post.
Will you have the opportunity to find out about the donor
or about the family, how this came about, who they were?
>> we, out of respect for the privacy of the donor's
family, we, as a rule, do not comment on the donor.
[SOUND] >> Andrea Walker.
>> I'm Andrea Walker with the Baltimore Sun.
Is there anything you look most forward to
doing once you've regained feeling in your arm?
>> Driving.
>> [LAUGH] >> Driving.
>> So why, why?
>> I, I used to love to drive.
[NOISE] It was, it was a lot of fun for me.
So I'm really looking forward to get back to that.
Just becoming an athlete again.
I'd love to, one of my goals is definitely to hand cycle a marathon so yeah.
So I would love to get back to that.
>> So were you an athlete before?
>> I, I played sports.
You know, they, they say that the military is is professional athletes.
>> [LAUGH] >> Just very, not well-paid athletes.
>> [LAUGH] >> Sky TV, please?
>> Amanda Walker, Sky News.
Hello, Brendan.
You mentioned driving just then, but are there
any particular goals that you've set yourself within
the next couple of years, specific actions that you want to make sure you can do.
>> I just want to get the, the most out of these arms and just as
goals come up knock them down and just take it as absolutely far as I can.
So really I just want to, just want to get to the point that
I can be completely on my own and, and just get back to enjoying life.
>> At this moment I want to go back to the phone and find
out if anybody joining us via phone conference has a question at this time.
Our next [UNKNOWN] question is from David [INAUDIBLE] from the [INAUDIBLE].
>> Hi Brendon, Greg, my [INAUDIBLE] great great [INAUDIBLE]
>> Thank you.
>> I, I want to hear from Dr. Lee about
what level of use of the limbs can ultimately be expected.
>> I would like to defer that question to Doctor
Jamie Shores, the clinical director [COUGH] of the hand transplant program.
>> Thanks, doctor.
Brendan's left forearm has longer nerves than his,
his right arm, which is transplanted above the [UNKNOWN].
And so we suspect that the innervation, meaning that they've grown
back into the muscles to control them will occur earlier on
the left side, and so I think he'll get a little
bit earlier function out of the left side than the right side.
But it's going to take two to three years to see what his
final function is going to be because of how long nerves take to regenerate.
Nerve regeneration is a rate-limiting process in recovering from
a transplant like this, both in terms of making
the muscles work as well as giving him sensation
back that helps him do everything he needs to do.
We take for granted in our own hands how much we do
without sight just by feel and position sense and things like that.
So it's going to take him a few years to gain that back.
>> The good thing about Brenden is he's an
extremely adaptable person, as we've seen his post-operative recovery.
We have not intended for him to
necessarily start using his hands just yet,
but he's been finding creating ways to get them involved in his activities every day.
And so despite the fact that he may not have what we would
consider close to what his end function will be, for probably a year or
two, I suspect that he will be using his hands for just about
everything as soon as we let him start trying to do more and more.
Right now we're the ones really kind of holding him back
at this point to let all his tissues heal properly before
we turn him loose.
>> What [INAUDIBLE] for example.
>> What was that?
Could you repeat the question please.
>> Will he be able to throw a football, would you say?
>> I, I think that I think you'll be able
to try and throw a football I don't know how,
how it could be getting you know, 60 yard runs
down like Joe Flacco was able to do against the Broncos.
[LAUGH] You know, but I suspect he'll, he'll get there.
I don't, I don't think there's really much that
we're going to be able to keep him from doing.
Like he says, you know, he is, he's a, he's a
young man with a tremendous amount of hope, and he's stubborn.
He's stubborn in a good way.
Meaning, he's not gonna let anybody tell him he can't do something.
So I, I think the sky's the limit with Brendon.
[SOUND] >> Matt Parker.
>> Oh.
From Channel 5 in D.C. Doctor, can you give us a little perspective on this big
picture, the progress that's been made from a
medical perspective, say, where were we five years ago?
Where were we ten years ago?
>> So, Dr. Brandahur, our scientific director, will answer
that question, the big picture, the progress we're making
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>> Thank
you very much.
I think we have come a long way in the reconstructive transplantation.
Such as transplanting extremities or parts, partial faces or total faces.
We were thinking maybe 20 years ago, that we never would have been able
to transplant skin which was considered the
most anti [INAUDIBLE] tissue of the human body.
And we have come a very long way.
We're now able not only to perform
these types of transplants routinely, with conventional immunosuppression.
>> But we were even able, based on extensive research basic science
and other organizational research, to come
up with innovative treatment protocol as the
one that we applied to Brendon, where we used bone marrow cells
from the donor to modulate the
immune system rather than unspecifically suppress it.
And thereby, hopefully we'll open up these type of
transplants to a broad patient population in the future.
>> I think Paul from Fox 45 all the way in the back, had a question.
>> Yeah, Paul Gessler, Fox 45 here in Baltimore.
With respect to the privacy of the patient, can you
tell us any specifics about them, their age, their sex?
Anything like that?
>> I, I think, I think that falls under the privacy.
>> Okay.
>> Alex.
>> Other hand transplant people, what's the most function that they've recovered?
Has anyone gotten back to what we would consider 95, 100%?
>> Well, I'd be happy to answer that.
One of our double arm transplant
patients was performed approximately three years ago.
He visited me recently and was showing me how he
was able to tie shoelaces with his, pair of new hands.
This was also the same gentleman who received the first above elbow.
transplant in the U.S., as I said about three years
ago, when our team was at the University of Pittsburgh.
Incidentally, in addition to tying his shoes so he can go out, he
also sent me a video of him using chopsticks with his transplant hand.
I hope that answers your question.
[LAUGH]
>> At this stage I want to go back
to the phone for anyone that might be conferencing in.
Do you have a question at this time?
>> Are there any, questions from [INAUDIBLE] from [INAUDIBLE].
>> Hello there.
Thank you so much for taking my question.
I just wondered when, when you look at your,
your hands now do, do they feel like they're yours?
I, I, I guess a rather daft question.
But, I just wondered if you were able to,
sort of, identify these limbs with your own body.
>> Absolutely I can.
You know I never really accepted the fact that I didn't have arms
so now that I have them again it's it's almost like it never happened.
It's like I went back four years and I'm, I'm me again.
And it's awesome.
It's still really weird to see pictures of me
with arms because I'm so used to not having them.
So it's, it looks weird for me, but I enjoy it.
It's really kind of awesome.
>> Michael Wayne, Washington Post.
Do you have a car that's waiting to be driven?
>> I do.
I do.
I've had it sitting in the garage for the last like three years.
>> What kind of car is it?
>> Dodge Charger SRT8.
>> [LAUGH] >> Yes.
>> Brendan, [INAUDIBLE].
You said that you have overcome so much and your bravery
and remarkable story is absolutely inspiring.
What is it that's kept you going all this time?
Is it the car, is it [INAUDIBLE]?
What is it, or.
>> Yeah, it's the car.
>> [LAUGH]
>> I can't give up cuz I haven't driven it yet!
>> [LAUGH] No, I think just just kinda who I am.
You know, I never really gave up on too much that, that really mattered to me.
If I didn't care about it I'd give up in a second but, you
know, the, if I, if I truly cared about it in, in my heart and
if it really meant something to me, I would go through hell to do it, so.
It's basically what I'm doing now.
>> What color's the car?
>> Black.
Black [LAUGH] [LAUGH] >> Can you talk about the shirts?
>> Can you say your name please.
>> Eric [UNKNOWN] I'm from Reuter's.
Keep calm and chive on is that a, could you talk about that?
>> It's it's a website, theChive.
It's probably the best website on the internet
[SOUND] it's just a community of people who
just look after, after people, they have charities and they've raised
hundreds, hundreds of thousands of dollars for people who need it.
And they, they do great things for the, their community.
And it's like you said.
Everyone who uses the website, the Chive Nation, they kinda look after each other.
If someone needs help they talk to everybody else.
And they just enjoy life.
Have fun.
>> Andrea?
>> Andrea Walker, [INAUDIBLE] Brendon, [INAUDIBLE] prosthetic?
Did you find it difficult [INAUDIBLE] >> Arms or Legs?
>> Arms.
>> I think I took to it on my, my left side really easily.
That was pretty much the only one I used.
Hated it, but, I was able to use it very well.
I pretty much did everything with it.
[COUGH] It was I won't say it was an easy
transition, but it uh,wasn't as hard as I thought it would have been.
Brendon, can I ask why you joined the military and
have you asked Dr. Lee if he can give you legs?
>> Actually, I did ask that the first time we met
but it would have been too risky and it's very understandable.
Arms is certainly enough for me.
I hated not having arms.
I was all right with not having legs.
Not having arms takes so much away from you.
Even your personality.
You know, you, you talk with your
hands, you do everything with your hands, basically.
When you don't have that, you're, you're kind of lost for a while.
So I'm thankful for Dr. Lee and this
whole team, everyone who took care of me from the get go, the nurses, the doctors,
everyone blowing up my twitter right now.
Thank you.
Thank you for the support.
[SOUND] And the other part of your question.
It's something I always wanted.
I always looked up to, to soldiers and anyone in the military.
So, I guess you'd say I finally got the balls to do it.
And I did it and I loved it.
It was, truly the best decision I've ever made.
And, it's, it's still the way I see it.
>> At this point, I wanna go back to the phone.
Does anyone have a question who's conferencing in?
[SOUND] [INAUDIBLE] from the Institute.
>> Hi Brendon [INAUDIBLE] >> [COUGH]
>> I was right, During the last four years, I was
[INAUDIBLE]
[SOUND] >> Nick Kelman, Fox News.
Aside from your doctors team obviously, who are you most looking to shaking with?
>> That's a good question.
[LAUGH] I'm gonna go with Blake Shelton.
[LAUGH] Funny guy.
Love his music.
And if anyone who follows his twitter knows that he's out there.
So it's I think it would be him [LAUGH] >> I have a question.
>> Yeah.
>> [INAUDIBLE] CBS newscast.
Just wondering how does this has changed your thoughts and hopes for the future?
What is your ideal about when you look down the road, you know?
>> Just to To be able to do anything, just like a normal person would.
I've always, since I got hurt I still thought of myself as being normal.
I hated to wear a pain cap.
I never really looked at it like that so, I'm just looking forward to
doing everything I, I would have wanted to do in the last four years.
Everything I was doing before I got hurt.
[SOUND] >> Lisa Sabaster at CNN.
When I first heard your story, what struck me is that you're still here.
And there must have been some very good people who made that happen.
Do you have any words for them?
>> When it comes down to my medic on the ground when it first happened
he's Sergeant Kenny now.
I just want to say thank you.
As far as I see it he's the reason I'm alive.
At least in the beginning.
So I love you, bro.
Thanks for everything.
And I, I think I can, the, the rest of it I can attest to advances in army medicine.
Three or five years ago, I'd say, I'd be dead.
No matter what that's, that's the bottom line.
And since, you know, the last, five, ten
years the advances in Army medicine have been insane.
So I'm just happy for everyone or thankful for everyone
who took care of me in Iraq, Germany and back at Walter Reid.
>> mic?
Have you talked to any other amputees about this,
recommended it to them, or said what your experience was?
>> Well, I couldn't really recommend it until about six weeks ago.
[LAUGH] >> [LAUGH]
>> One of my, one of my good friends Taylor
Morris, the came by, he was interested in the program.
We talked about it for a little bit.
>> Gentleman in the back, glasses.
>> [INAUDIBLE] Hey, what's, what
what's the probability to see [INAUDIBLE].
>> We knew our transplant can help people.
What we didn't know was that we could transplant so high up in the arm.
That's why we were so encouraged by the patient with
the the above elbow transplant, and how well he did.
Demonstrating we could get good functional results that effect [UNKNOWN] life.
Even with the transplantation above the elbow.
So that was really the first question in
my mind is from a medical and physiologic standpoint.
There could be sufficient functional return, to warrant
the procedure, and the complex intensive hand therapy necessary.
With our experience and with the determination and stamina that Brendan has
demonstrated, we had no doubt this was the right [COUGH] for him.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
>> Hi, it's [INAUDIBLE] with CNN.
One other follow up I know that you've been tweeting a lot,
and have been talking a lot about your experience for your Twitter [UNKNOWN].
First if you can just talk about what that's meant to you using social media to
express and also there are a number of
pictures, could would use some of those pictures [INAUDIBLE]
>> You guys pretty much already used them all.
[LAUGH]
>> I guess you don't really need permission for that one.
I don't know.
It's been a, a good way to keep in touch
with my friends and apparently the rest of the nation.
[LAUGH] I don't know.
I was just, I don't know I was excited about how
I was doing and felt like sharing it with my friends.
[COUGH] Just got a little out of hand.
[LAUGH] But now it's, in, in the last day
since the article came out yesterday it's, it hasn't stopped.
So like I said, thank you for everyone who supports
me and just [COUGH] support for me and the military.
>> [SOUND]
>> Any members of the media who are joining us
via the phone, do you have any questions at this moment?
>> [INAUDIBLE] question is from [INAUDIBLE], from ABC News.
>> Thank you so much for taking my question,
and Brendan, thank you so much for sharing your story.
It's, it's really quite amazing, and quite inspiring.
Thank you.
>> One of the questions that I had, and I apologize if
this has already been asked the call has been a little bit spotty.
But after the surgery when you looked down and you saw
your new arms and your, your new hands, do you remember the
first thing that you did, or the first thing that you
thought or that, the first thing that you told those around you?
I, actually, I remember the when, when they first took the breathing
tube out I think the first thing I said was I love you.
I was just happy, you know, i was happy the surgery was over and I had arms.
So yeah I love you was the first thing I said.
>> Thank
you.
>> Brendan what was your a [CROSSTALK] >> Just repeat your name again.
I'm sorry.
>> Teresa from [INAUDIBLE] What was your unit, [INAUDIBLE] otherwise
what were you doing the day that the accident happened.
>> I was in 11 Bravo, so I was, in the infantry.
I was in the 25th infantry division.
227.
And I was in, [UNKNOWN] Iraq.
>> What was your mission, what were you doing out there?
We were just doing, doing some raids.
And
just presence control.
It's keeping the the city safe.
[SOUND] >> Sorry were you driving?
>> Excuse me?
>> At the time, yeah.
>> Yeah, so you were driving.
>> Allan you may be aware that there were more
suicides among active duty personnel last year who wore combat boots.
Is your story something that you want to
go out and share with so many returning veterans?
the, the toll of suicide's been so high.
And your personality is so, so ebullient and so full of life.
>> I haven't really thought about it because, I've been
really focusing on, on me for the last four years.
And this surgery, but now that's over, it's definitely something to consider.
And I'm all about my, my fellow, military guys, and women.
So
>> Were there people you've known [INAUDIBLE]
>> There were people you knew personally who'd given up?
>> No.
No one I personally know.
[SOUND] >> Thank you.
>> Anyone on the on the phone conference joining
us, do you have a question at this time?
>> No, no questions at this point.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Alex?
>> We just wanna repeat, what was your rank when you left?
And you're now out of the military.
You're not [CROSSTALK] >> Yeah, I'm now retired.
I, when I got hurt, I was a PFC, Private First Class.
I retired as a sergeant.
>> Right.
>> When did you leave the military?
>> It's about May of this year, or, of last year.
Okay.
Thank you.
[SOUND]
>> Any questions from those in attendance?
[SOUND] All the way in the back?
[SOUND] Did somebody have a question in the back?
>> [LAUGH] >> No?
Okay, anybody on the phone call have a question?
[CROSSTALK] >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> [LAUGH]
>> I'm gonna ask the hard hitting question.
>> I hate you.
>> Who's your favorite character from the Harry Potter franchise?
[LAUGH]
>> You know you're gonna owe me 20 bucks if [INAUDIBLE]
Come on, how can you not be a fan of Harry?
I know, I know you're a [INAUDIBLE] guy, but, sorry.
You owe me 20 bucks.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> Could I go back to the phone call?
There was a question from someone from someone
from the phone connection, do you have that [INAUDIBLE]?
>> Yes.
Hello, can you hear me?
>> Yes.
>> Hello, this is Christina from ABCNews.com.
Brendon, thank you again for sharing your incredible story and for
taking the time to recount it for us and share your thoughts.
I wanted you to ask you what your family's
reaction was when they saw you for the first time
with your arms and hands and what they said to
you and what they how they expressed themselves to you?
>> All right.
I think everyone was just really excited.
It was something that I, I wasn't the only one looking forward to it.
I have to say, everyone in my family was definitely definitely excited.
And it doesn't only change my life.
It changes theirs too.
So, the entire family is very excited, and hopeful.
>> Lucy?
>> Thank you.
>> Just very quick, if I could follow [INAUDIBLE].
Your story couldn't possibly.
Across the world what would you like to [INAUDIBLE]?
[LAUGH] [LAUGH] >> Oh man, another
great question.
I want Thor.
He's got great hair.
[LAUGH] [SOUND] >> What?
>> Chris Hemsworth.
>> Chris Hemsworth.
[LAUGH] He's got great hair just like me, so.
[LAUGH]
>> In the back row from Reuters we have a question.
Somebody in the middle back there?
Yes?
The back row.
Anybody from Reuters with a question?
>> Yeah.
You just scratched your face.
How much of the arms have become like, just a part of you.
Or you just realize it or do you just do it instantly.
>> I just kind of do it.
I don't even realize it anymore.
I've been using the arms to, or the hands to text
on the computer and scratch my face and do my hair.
It just they've, they've truly become a part of
my every day life in the last six weeks.
And that's, that's the way we want it so.
>> At this point I just want to let everyone in attendance
know and also on the phone that there will be 10 minutes left.
There will be ten minutes left for the Q and A, just so you know.
Yes.
>> I just wondered since you've just touched your
lip and your hair, I wondered if with your doctor's
permission if you could just show us a little bit
of the range of mobility you have in your left
hand?
[INAUDIBLE] is there any?
>> [LAUGH]
>> Well, I'm very glad that Brendan is looking to us.
>> [LAUGH] [LAUGH]
>> Which shows he's still following instructions
>> When you're around, that is.
>> [LAUGH]
>> Quite seriously, we do want all the
tissues to heal before Brendon fully uses them.
So, there are some activity that we actually,
really discourage him from doing at this time.
Because it's only six weeks, from surgery, and
there's some tissue that has not fully healed, yet.
>> [SOUND] >> [LAUGH]
>> Theresa?
>> Dr. [INAUDIBLE], I'd like to, Basil.
>> Basil.
>> Basil, thank you.
Just explain to me what the role Walter Reed played and your role.
>> That's a great and good morning.
Thank you for this opportunity.
I consider my job, is the greatest job in the world, that I get
to take care of some of our nation's bravest who come back wounded warriors.
And, when I was given the opportunity to participate in Brendan's surgery,
to take care of one of my own, I jumped at the chance.
>> So right now we're, we're participating out of the Johns Hopkins'
residents rotate with us and that's a great blessing for both of us.
We get to work with world-class residents, and then we get to
introduce them to opportunities they might not see in the civilian world.
And Doctor Lee was gracious enough to invite myself and one of
partners to be part of the team, so it's been a nice experience.
Amazing experience.
Do you anticipate you'll have a number of a lot more military.
>> I, I hope so.
>> Yes.
>> Alex.
I've read [UNKNOWN] I read in the past
that when you were seven and you didn't have,
[COUGH] that you could think about making hand gestures
and then you could see just in your hands.
So now when you think of that what happens?
>> Still nothing happens.
>> [LAUGH] >> I can still see in my head.
But I am, very excited, to someday do that again.
>> [LAUGH] >> So
>> [LAUGH]
>> Just, you know, everyone needs to know
that they're number one once in a while.
>> [LAUGH]
>> I just want to go back to the phone [INAUDIBLE].
>> Right.
>> [LAUGH] [LAUGH]
>> Is there anyone joining us on the phone conference, that has a question?
>> We have a follow-up question from [INAUDIBLE] from the [INAUDIBLE].
>> Hello, Brendan.
You did speak of your desire to play sports again, and
did you say what sports you used to enjoy, play the most?
>> I used to play soccer.
I played soccer ever since I was a kid.
I played it, all through high school, and obviously, I won't be playing that again.
But just really, right now I'm just going to focus on, on hand cycling.
It's one of those things that I should still
be able to do and get some exercise and
enjoy it.
A lot of my friends are avid bike riders, so it
can be a good way to get out of the house.
And looking to swim.
I'm going to go do some swimming.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> Yep.
>> Any other member, that's from the press joining
us on phone have a question at this time?
>> No further questions at the moment.
Thank you.
>> We do have about five more minutes left in the press
conference for the Q and A session, if you have any other questions.
Yes.
>> Brendan, do you have any professional interests?
I mean, have you thought about, gee, you're
only 26 years old, you're a very young man.
Have you thought at all about I'm going to go
on to school, I'm going to, I mean, along those lines?
>> I have thought about it, and I'm not going to do it.
>> [LAUGH]
>> I, you know, I've, I've been given the, the basically,
the job I always wanted, I get paid to do nothing.
[LAUGH] Is it?
But you know what, I get paid to be able to do what I want, when I want.
So that is pretty exciting for me, because if I want to go get away, I get to do it.
I don't have to worry about work or school or anything.
So I guess I'll just be a drain on society for the rest of my life.
[LAUGH].
[NOISE] I believe you had some.
>> I just want to underscore the fact that the, surgical team
alone, as I mentioned, consists of
surgeons from different institutions, and different hospitals.
And it's really important to point out, even in
the City of Baltimore, we've got an important partner in
the Curtis National Hand Center, and Dr. Higgins, of
course, is the chief of the Curtis National Hand Center.
He and his partners participated in the procedure from beginning to
end, and were truly an important part of our surgical team.
And I would like to give the microphone to Dr. Higgins to acknowledge his
contribution and for his comments about our transplant now.
>> Well, thanks very much Dr. Lee and it's an honor and a pleasure to be here.
I, I guess I would say I, I represent the
Curtis Hand Center which is in Medstar Union Memorial hospital, but,
in the larger picture I represent the somewhat untapped huge,
enthusiasm in our country, among civilians to help wounded war fighters.
A group here in Baltimore have been
collaborating with, Dr. Lee's team, Dr. Shore's team,
for the last 18 months, and worked together
through the technical, technical aspects of the operation.
And I think over time, and multiple rehearsals, have come up with what I would
think is the most advanced procedural aspects
that bilateral hand transplantation has seen thus far.
But I think as much as we can work
on all the technical details, and the medications that
the patient will receive afterwards, and try to hone
down all those things into what we consider perfection.
Ultimately the result is really going to be most determined by
the determination of the patient, and also the support of his family.
And that's really the reason why I think most of us as the surgical team are
so enthusiastic and so optimistic about Brendon's prognosis,
because he's certainly determined as you can tell.
And as I'm sure you've gotten to know in the last hour here, he's more or
less the perfect person for this because his
attitude, well you know what his attitude is.
[LAUGH] And his family has been tremendously supportive.
So we were really honored to participate in his care, and
we were happy to collaborate with the team here at Johns Hopkins.
It has been a great moment.
I represent eight other surgeons from Union
Memorial, and who are not here today, but
we've all been very excited about this, and
It's been a great moment in our careers.
>> Andrea?
>> Can we hear something from the family about how
you guys feel about [INAUDIBLE].
>> [INAUDIBLE] for the last four years, almost.
And now, we look to a better
greater life where Brendan can be independent [INAUDIBLE].
>> [INAUDIBLE] Can you talk into a mike?
[SOUND]
[BLANK_AUDIO]
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> It's been a tremendous experience for us
all, and, it means moving forward with our lives.
Our lives have been on hold for the last almost four years,
waiting for this surgery, getting him through Walter Reid, and getting to the
point where he was pretty Independent and now he will be independent and when he
comes home, he'll be the Brendan we've all been hoping for.
I, I want to add one comment on to the end of what Brenda's mom has said
and then with the question in the back,
earlier about the things that Brendan may be doing.
I think what you heard was Brendan's tremendous sense of
humor coming through, but Brendan actually has a full-time job now.
And, he understands what that is for the next two to three years, and that
is, to echo what Dr. Higgins just said,
doing hand therapy to make these hands work.
So once his nerves start regrowing in, for about six hours
a day, he's going to be doing hand therapy every single day.
And, Brendon of course knows about this because
there's no amount of [COUGH] we can do
that will make if the patients aren't going
to put an incredible amount into this afterwards.
So, I, I do wanna say that, Brendon isn't just sitting at home, playing video games.
He does have a full-time job.
He's gonna be working very hard.
That's one of the reasons why we picked Brendon, is
because he demonstrated to us just how hard he works.
He already demonstrated that through rehabilitation at Walter Reed.
He's gonna be continue to demonstrate that fighting spirit that's
got him this far, trying to make his hands to work.
>> Video games can be a good rehab, right?
>> [LAUGH] All right, I'm used to it now.
>> At this point, I just wanna let you know that
there's two minutes left in our press conference Q and A.
There will be two minutes left.
Beth?
>> Can we just get a couple of details, one could mom spell her name, for us?
>> Can we wait for that at the end, if that's possible, so
we can, filter in some question we'll get you the answer to that question.
Alan?
>> Quick question for Dr. Lee now that Brendan
has hands again, have you handed him your bill?
[LAUGH] And how much, how much would the surgery cost?
>> All these surgeons involved in this transplant surgery were volunteers.
The surgery costs and rehabilitation costs are, as I mentioned, are sponsored by
the Department of Defense, in the form
of Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine.
And the Johns Hopkins Hospital will contribute with the rest of the cost.
>> Can you estimate what that cost would be?
I don't know, it's highly variable as you can imagine.
And quite frankly, as we we're going through the process, and going
through the surgery, and current recovery, it wasn't something we thought about.
>> Before we wind down I just wanna go back
to the phone, if anyone on the phone has any questions.
Yes, we have a follow up question from [INAUDIBLE].
>> I have one more question and [INAUDIBLE] arm [INAUDIBLE] people
[INAUDIBLE] want to put your arms around them, give a hug to?
>> What's that guy saying?
>> [LAUGH]
>> Yeah, there's definitely a couple I can think of.
I guess my family, a few others.
>> [LAUGH]
>> We have time for one more quick question from the audience.
Anybody have a question from the audience?
If not, I wanna thank everyone for coming today.
I appreciate you joining us this morning and I wanna thank the,
all the surgical team, and Brenden, of course, for joining us today.
And I think it goes to say, we wish you the best of luck in the future.
>> Thank you very much.
Thank you very much everybody.
Have a good day.
[MUSIC]