Shannon Elliott of Long Island, New York lost the thumb and two fingers of her left hand in a fireworks incident. The 25-year-old recently underwent surgery to replace her thumb -with one of her big toes!

"To me it was a no brainer. I'd rather lose a toe and gain a whole hand," said the mother of two.

Losing a toe has little effect on a human's ability to walk or run, but losing a thumb nearly incapacitates hand functionality.

Doctors said Elliott will regain full use of her hand in six to nine months.

"She'll be able to pinch and grasp with her hand, she'll be able to hold things and pick up her children," said plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Ganz.

Doctors even expect the new digit to change size in time to more closely resemble a thumb. Warning: graphic picture. Link -via Digg