Boston (WCVB/CNN) - Surgeons at a Boston hospital now have the green light to perform a ground-breaking surgery.
Brigham and Women's Hospital is planning the nation's first double-arm transplant, with both arms above the elbow.
Katy Hayes, a wife and mother of three from Texas, will be getting the new arms.
After delivering her youngest daughter two years ago, she got a strep infection and fell into a coma.
In the end, doctors amputated all four limbs.
She's now living in Boston, waiting for a call that could come at any time.
The New England Organ Bank will help identify potential donors.
"I will embrace their family and thank them so much for the gift that I can hold my children again," said Katy.
At least 12 surgeons will be needed.
Some of them operated nearly a year ago on a man who became the first in New England to undergo a successful double hand and forearm transplant.
Katy's operation is similar, but will include more of the arms: nearly up to her shoulders.
WCVB/CNN