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Man who received double hand transplant to have entire nose removed due to cancer

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Approved/passed
  • Guðmundur Felix Grétarsson is traveling to France for surgery to remove his entire nose due to nasal cancer.
  • He previously underwent a groundbreaking double hand transplant in Lyon in 2021 after losing both arms in a 1998 accident.
  • Doctors are optimistic that reconstructive surgery can be performed after the cancer removal, though it will require multiple procedures.

Guðmundur Felix Grétarsson is once again heading to France for a significant medical procedure, this time to surgically remove his entire nose after a recent diagnosis of nasal cancer. This follows his previous, life-changing double hand transplant in Lyon five years ago, a procedure that made medical history.

The mind says this is spreading to the brain and this is just over.

— Guðmundur Felix GrétarssonGrétarsson expressed his fears while awaiting the results of his cancer diagnosis.

In 2021, Grétarsson received two full hand transplants, a feat previously unheard of for a patient who had lost both arms in a 1998 accident. The complex surgery was a major milestone in reconstructive medicine, offering him a new level of functionality and independence.

Grétarsson shared his journey in a video on Instagram, detailing his trip to Amiens in Normandy for the upcoming surgery. He described the waiting period for his cancer diagnosis results as one of the most difficult times he has experienced, admitting fears that the cancer might have spread to his brain.

After all I've been through with my arms and rehabilitation, starting a business, and then I just die from some damn nose cancer.

— Guðmundur Felix GrétarssonHe shared his frustration and disbelief at the prospect of succumbing to cancer after overcoming significant previous challenges.

Fortunately, the results confirmed the cancer is localized to his nose, making surgical removal possible. However, the procedure necessitates the complete removal of his nose, presenting a new challenge. Grétarsson, however, remains resilient, referring to himself as a "lucky son of a bitch" because the same team that facilitated his hand transplant connected him with top facial reconstructive surgeons.

The downside is that the entire nose has to be removed.

— Guðmundur Felix GrétarssonGrétarsson explained the extent of the surgery required to remove the nasal cancer.

He acknowledged the complexity of rebuilding his nose, comparing the ongoing process to the Sagrada Familia, always under construction but never quite finished. Despite the challenges, Grétarsson expressed gratitude for having options and access to specialized medical care, recognizing that not everyone is as fortunate.

Lucky son of a bitch

— Guðmundur Felix GrétarssonHe used this phrase to express his good fortune in having access to specialized surgeons for his reconstructive needs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.