Just came across an article with very good news- John Hopkins Hospital has just performed the world’s first successful total genital transplant on a wounded soldier. An unknown donor gave someone an amazing gift- the chance for normal urological and sexual function.

This is very big news, and I decided to write a bit about it.

How can I describe what it is like to advance into a wall of lead, knowing you could be hit at any second? How to bring across the night before a fight, the dread that you may be hit and maimed, or killed?

Guys would sit and talk about all the ways you can be hit, and the conversation inevitably came up about what is the best, if you have to be shot or shrapped. Me, I always preferred a hit to the upper arm or lower leg. Not in the hand or foot. Definitely not in the inner thigh. Gut shot is bad, spine shot is worse. Some feared blindness or a maimed face, but all feared, without exception, being hit in the groin.

One time I was blown up by an RPG- what was the first thing I did? I reached between my legs and felt for my balls. When I felt them, I blew a sigh of relief, picked up my rifle, and pressed onwards. Everything else could wait, and it did.

That hit ranked highest in terms of fear factor. Losing your penis and testicles- the absolute worst for a male soldier. And up until now there was no real fix for it.

But now there is, sort of.

Of course, what’s best is not to be hit at all. Or never to be in a firefight. But sometimes your luck just runs out.

Three cheers for those involved in medical research.