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If you've had a second chance, you know how it can make sense. Cameron Underwood knows it better than most people: he was given a second chance in life. The 26-year-old underwent facial grafting after being shot in the face
. Underwood comes from Yuba, California just north of Sacramento. He grew up in a family filled with love and faith, with a strong and supportive family, but when he entered adulthood he was the victim of a battle against depression. One year after the facial transplant
In June 2016, mental illness progressed and, after turning to alcohol to get out of it, Underwood resorted to the drug. severe self-injury. He was shot in the face and, even though he survived, he lost most of his jaw, nose and every tooth except one, according to a NYU Langone Health statement in New York, where he had been hurt. his surgery.
Despite attempts at conventional reconstruction, Underwood was seriously prevented from leading a normal life. He could barely speak and he had to eat with a tube. It was not the way he wanted for himself and it was certainly not the way his family wanted for him.
Then Underwood's mother, Beverly Bailey-Potter, read an article in the December 2016 issue of . People about a revolutionary facial transplant program at NYU Langone Health. She immediately contacted the program director, Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, who would soon become the one who would give his son his second chance.
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Although Dr. Rodriguez and His Team Do the Procedure, Another Person May Play a Role even more important in Underwood's transplant: the donor.
On January 4, 2018, after Underwood had been on a waiting list for six months, a donor was found. He was called Will Fisher, shown below. He was a 23-year-old Manhattan resident and student at Johns Hopkins University, also a chess champion, filmmaker, budding writer and, of course, organ donor.
Part of this experience was a source of strength for me during a very difficult time, "said Fisher's mother, Sally, in a statement. "I do not think I would have survived Will's death without Cameron, Cameron has all his life in front of him – and I love the idea that Willie helps him to have a life." better. "
As soon as Underwood got the call, his family packed up and left for New York. It was in the middle of a snow storm "cyclone bomb", but time was running out.
On January 5, around 7:30 am, the operation began. Then, about 25 hours later, Underwood was taken out of the operating room with a brand new face.
This was the third time Dr. Rodriguez had performed a facial transplant and was about 11 hours shorter than the first. But this is not the only reason why this particular case is remarkable. It was also the shortest period between the history of the United States and that of a transplant, with only 18 months
"Cameron has not lived with his injury since at least a decade, as do most other facial transplants, Dr. Rodriguez said in the statement. "As a result, he has not had to deal with many long-term psychosocial problems that often lead to problems such as severe depression, drug addiction and other potentially dangerous behaviors."
L & # The case also had one of the shortest waiting times for a donor, about six months, as well as a lot less time spent at the hospital than the only other face transplant ever. performed at NYU Langone Health. This patient stayed in the hospital for 62 days, while Underwood kept 37.
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"Technical advances have increased our ability to cope with more complex cases more precisely with maximum aesthetic and functional results," said Dr. Rodriguez.
After the release of the Underwood Hospital in mid-February, he stayed in New York for a rehab, he was able to return to California in March but still goes to New York for follow-up visits on a monthly basis. -reject all his life.
Underwood always learns to use his new face. At a press conference held Thursday morning, Dr. Rodriguez compared the sensation felt in the facial muscles of Underwood during first months after novocaine surgery. His body must accept his new face and his brain must adapt to it, said Dr. Rodriguez. Underwood is now striving to relearn how to use his face through a physical therapy, a process that could take between three and five years.
"I think it's important to share my story to inspire others to have hope and ask for help," Underwood said. at the conference attended Health . "I'm really grateful to have a facial transplant, which gave me a second chance to live … I was able to go back to many activities that I like, like being outdoors, playing sports and going time with my friends and family. I hope to be able to return to work soon too, and one day to start a family … It was not easy, but it was worth it. "
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