The story of Arja, 48, is heard in Yle’s Elossa 24h series.
Arja recalls in the Elossa 24h series how it all started. – I had made up my mind that we should move the lilac bush. Over
Arya48, arrives Alive 24h – series for a control visit. He received Finland’s first hand transplant 11 months earlier. In the surgery, bones, blood vessels, tendons and nerves were attached to Arja’s own structures.
It all started when Arja was doing gardening with her husband. A branch of the lilac bush poked Arja in the right side. He knew immediately that a rib was broken. In the emergency room, however, Arja faced resistance.
– In the end, it happened that I was taken seriously only the third time in the emergency room.
That’s when the first blood tests were taken.
– We realized that it was blood poisoning, or sepsis. Very soon I was put to sleep. I was in so much pain. The next time I woke up five weeks later without arms and legs, Arja recalls on TV.
– It was quite a shock when I woke up with no limbs after five weeks of anesthesia. For the first six months, I cried every day.
According to Chief Medical Officer Jorma Ryhänen, 151 hand transplants have been performed in the world, one of which is Arjan’s. Over
A skin sample is regularly taken from Arja, with the help of which a possible rejection reaction can be detected in time. Hand rehabilitation also continues.
– Yes, all everyday life is easier when you have at least another working upper limb, Arja praises.
She dreams of returning to her old craft hobby and crocheting.
– It remains to be seen whether it will be realized or not.
Live 24 hours today at 20:00 on TV1 and Areena. See all TV programs and broadcast times in Telku’s TV guide.
