A Victorian man who could become the first receipient of a double hand transplant in Australia has told how he yearns to be able to hold his grandchildren.
Plumber Peter Walsh had his hands and feet amputated three years ago after contracting pneumococcal disease.
Surgeons are now preparing to transplant one or possibly two hands onto Mr Walsh, who lives in the Victorian town of Cobden.
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The 64-year-old father of five and grandfather of 16 said he missed working and picking up his grandchildren.
"You'd love to be able to pick 'em up and do that, but I can't," he told ABC Radio.
Mr Walsh will undergo the transplant at Melbourne's St Vincent's Hospital, once a suitable donor is found.
But his biggest worry is coping with the anti-rejection medication, which in the long term can cause cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Anti-rejection medication
The medication also costs up to $30,000 a year.
"I talked to people about it and they've had that medication for over 20 years, and it's getting a lot better," Mr Walsh said.
He said his family, including two daughters and three sons, were supportive of the operation.
Mr Walsh said he relies on his family to help him cope with everyday living, including showering.
He said the operation would vastly improve his quality of life.
"This is not life threatening, I know that, but it does give me a better lifestyle," he told Fairfax Radio Network.
