Lifestyle
AK The rarest surgically separated twins in the world have now blossomed into toddlers, defying odds and capturing hearts with their remarkable journey of resilience and growth.
A set of twin girls who captured the world’s attention after surviving an 11-hour head separation surgery are now Healthy 2-year-olds.
Erin and Abby Delaney were both born 2 pounds, 1 ounce on July 24, 2016. When Heather Delaney was 11 weeks pregnant, doctors discovered the twins were joined at the head. Heather and Riley Delaney consulted with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for separation surgery of their children.
Being conjoined by the head is the rarest form and occurs about six times in 10 million births, according to CHOP. And what’s even more rare, the Delaney twins were totally fused, with their connection extending deep into brain tissue. Doctors were particularly concerned that they shared a superior sagittal sinus, which is the large vessel that carries blood from the brain to the heart.
In June 2017, the girls underwent surgery performed by a 30-person team.
Erin and Abby received physical, occupational and speech therapy over the course of several months in the hospital. Erin was discharged from the hospital after 435 days. She and her parents stayed at Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House until Abby was discharged one month later. The family returned home to North Carolina before Thanksgiving 2017.
“They’re both super happy little girls,” Delaney said. “The fact they are doing as well as they are is amazing to us.”
Dr. Jesse Taylor, now chief of the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at CHOP, had co-led Erin and Abby’s surgeries with Dr. Gregory Heuer.
Taylor told “GMA” it was his first craniopagus twin surgery
“No one had ever done a separation the way we were doing the separation and in many ways it was totally novel,” Taylor said.
“They’re really exceeding our expectations and doing quite well,” he added of the twins. “They’re technically a little bit delayed, about 6 months behind, but all-in-all they’re doing incredibly.”
Delaney said Erin is crawling and Abby rolls and sits up. Like many toddlers, both are showing off their spunky personalities and exploring the world around them.
“Erin, she likes to steal the remotes off the coffee table,” Delaney said. “They’re just starting to interact with each other so it’s funny catching Abby make this face [telling Erin], ‘Don’t take my toy.’ She’s a sassy little girl, Abby.”
Delaney said her family’s goal is to spread hope to parents of children with medical challenges.
“Our girls are the example of impossible being possible,” she added. “I call them our miracle babies.”
-
Lifestyle14m ago
Let’s take a look at the beautiful, doll-like girl with strange platinum hair that attracts the eyes of millions of young people on the online community.
-
Lifestyle14m ago
The soft cry of the newborn baby woke up the father who was in a deep coma. It seemed to give my father the strength to fight the serious illness and return to his family in extreme surprise and happiness.
-
Lifestyle5h ago
“Unlock Your Heart’s Desire: Experience the Irresistible Charm of Yeli Kovalenko”
-
Lifestyle5h ago
Shannon McMullen’s Captivating Eyes and Exceptional Charisma Create a Magnetic Attraction That Enchants Many
-
Lifestyle5h ago
Frankie Valli at 89: The Iconic Singer continues to captivate audiences with timeless style and age-defying looks
-
Lifestyle5h ago
Jеnnifеr Lореz’s 16-yеаr-оld Еmmе’s lаrgе blасk рiеrсings sеts intеrnеt аbuzz
-
Lifestyle6h ago
Еvidеnсе оf Jеnnifеr Lореz аnd Веn Аfflесk sрlitting uр соmеs tо light
-
Lifestyle6h ago
The 23-year-old young girl successfully gave birth to 5 beautiful babies after a long pregnancy with a big and heavy belly. Congratulations