A US Marine sergeant who lost all four limbs in Afghanistan has received a double arm transplant.
Thirty-one-year-old John Peck stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in 2010. He lost both legs and his right arm at the time and later lost his left arm to an infection.
He underwent a 14-hour operation to get his new arms and will need around nine to 12 months of rehabilitation to get them working properly.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "As soon as Dr Talbot called me, I knew, and I just broke down. I was crying because I was happy. But then my mind switched and it became... I mean, somebody died.
Credit: Brigham and Women's Hospital
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"I just want the donor family to know that this gift is not going to go to waste at all. I looked down; it seemed natural. It was just a perfect match. The skin colour is a perfect match. The size, of course I had swelling, but the size is a perfect match. Everything was just perfect."
Credit: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Shortly after his op, John proposed to his girlfriend and he has spoken about his excitement at the thought of holding hands with his fianceé. He also hopes to fulfil his dream of becoming a chef.
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Through rehab, John will learn how to use his new hands, starting with simply flexing his fingers and working up to writing and holding a pen.
Featured image credit: Brigham and Women's Hospital
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