Doctors are keeping a close eye on Zion for any symptoms of rejection, Levin said.
“We know that all patients who have hand transplants at some point will undergo a rejection episode,” he said. “We expect that, and if we see signs such as puffiness or redness or a rash, that alerts us the patient may have a rejection phenomenon and we treat that. But he hasn’t really manifested any signs thus far.”
The hospital expects Zion to spend several more weeks in rehabilitation before he goes home. Levin and his team will continue to follow Zion monthly in the short-term, and then annually for life.
Ray is holding out hope that her son will regain most or all of the dexterity in his hands.
“We expect him to be tying his shoes and throwing a football and everything else,” she said. “He’s very determined. Definitely a go-getter. You can’t tell him no at all.”
But Levin is more cautiously optimistic, saying “we don’t know” how much dexterity Zion will ultimately regain.
“Let’s put it this way — a very functional grasp and feeling in his hand is highly likely,” Levin said.
It’s unlikely that Zion will return to the operating room for a foot transplant. He has received prosthetics for his feet and is able to run, jump, climb stairs and get around with full independence, Ray said.
“I really wouldn’t put him under surgery for something he’s adapted so well with,” she said. “To me, his hands were more of a holdup for a lot of things you need to do in life.”
8-Year-Old After World’s First Double Hand Transplant: “Never Give Up On Your Dreams” was originally published on blackdoctor.org
