Patrick Hardison, a 41-year-old volunteer firefighter, was terribly burned back in September of 2011. The incident happened in Senatobia in northwestern Mississippi. The father of three went inside a burning house to search and rescue a woman. The roof collapsed while he was still inside searching for the woman. When the roof collapsed the fire gave him third-degree burns across his head, neck and the upper part of his body.
Hardison received the most extensive face transplant anyone has ever seen. The face transplant covered his skull and most of the neck area. The procedure took place at the NYU Langone Medical Center. At this time, Hardison is still undergoing physical therapy at the hospital and once therapy is completed the plan is for him to return home to Senatobia, Mississippi.
Dr. Eduardo Rodrigues, who was in charge of the surgical team that performed the operation, said that Hardison underwent a very intensive surgery and he feels that it was successful. Hardison could recall that “I was almost totally blind,” and that, “I could see just a little bit.” Dr. Rodrigues stated that he was “one huge scar’ and that Hardison has endured at least 71 surgeries to try to correct what was done to his face.
Rodrigues also included, “These are difficult operations, and unlike every procedure we do on a daily basis … we can’t really describe previous experience” and also stated that, “All the obstacles we were able to handle well.” Dr. Rodrigues stated that after three months of surgery Hardison is doing very well, that his path to recovery is very much on its way. He stated that in six months Hardison should be able to speak normally again. The cost of the procedure was between $850,000 to $1 million and was paid for by NYU.
The surgery began on August 14th and lasted for 26 hours. The doctors stated there are no scars left on Hardison’s new face. The reason for this is because the tissue runs down the back of the skull. It extends from the top of the head and down to the collarbone in the front and back. Only a tiny patch of his hair remains but the hair from the transplant was a close match to his dark blond hair and is now growing on his new scalp. The transplant also included both ears as well.
David P. Rodebaug, who was the donor that passed at the young age of 26 years old, lived in New York. He was an artist and a very competitive bicyclist, which is what ultimately caused his death. He died due to injuries from a biking accident in Brooklyn. He was a donor that worked with LiveOnNy. The native of Columbus, Ohio, had signed up to be a donor. His mother knew his wishes and she gave permission to use his face. She knew her son wanted to be a firefighter deep down and there were no issues with the transplant, stated the president of LiveOnNY Helen Irving.
Hardison did tell New York Magazine that he will be okay with spending the rest of his life in constant pain because he now has a face of his own. He is quoted saying “I can live with the pain.”
Image via Live On NY
