In our world where magic is bound by the limits of reality, it is truly special to experience a miracle now and then, because sometimes miracles happen when all seems lost. It teaches us that nothing in life is certain, and that everything can change.
Siamese Twins Abby and Erin Delaney’s Miraculous Journey
That was certainly the case with Siamese twins Abby and Erin Delaney, born in 2016 connected at the head.
Doctors then gave them a survival chance of five to 25 percent, but a generous dose of luck and the most modern medical technology came together to create a true miracle.
And when you look at these precious babies six years after that risky operation, it’s hard not to smile with joy…
When Heather Delaney and her partner Riley discovered they were expecting a child, it was a joyous occasion for them…
Soon, Heather discovered she was pregnant with twins! So with the support of her beloved husband, they prepared for the arrival of twins and everything that comes with it.
Unfortunately, Heather’s pregnancy turned out to be a tough journey, one that became even more challenging when her babies’ heads were found to be attached to each other…
When they heard this news from the doctors, the expectant parents froze…
“We were stunned,” Heather told People. She continued: “It was terrible. But at that moment, we knew we would continue with the pregnancy no matter what. I just didn’t feel it was up to me to decide whether they would live or die.”
You may not have known, but cases of Siamese twins are not as rare as most people think…
Regarding identical twins, 1 in 200 pregnancies and 1 in 49,000-189,000 births result in a “conjoined twin,” making it more common than perceived.
The real rarity when it comes to “conjoined” babies lies in the mortality rate…
Unfortunately, only 18% of conjoined babies safely make it into the world…
But Heather and her husband remained hopeful, and their faith was rewarded when Abby and Erin were successfully delivered on July 24, 2016 via C-section. They weighed only 0.9 kilograms.
The newborns spent the first 485 days of their life at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. It was at this hospital where the life-saving separation operation was conducted…
Abby and Erin were a craniopagus twin. This means they were fused at the tops of their heads, making the separation much more difficult.
The strong sisters faced a huge challenge as they were about to be separated during a long and complex operation…
The operation in June 2017 lasted over 11 hours, involving 30 medical professionals. However, when all was said and done, the determined team of doctors could announce successful news…
Overall, everything went well, but Abby will be missing some parts of her sinuses. And there are also other minor complications to consider.
But the girls proved to be real fighters when it comes to beating the odds. Their recovery since the separation has been remarkable.
It was such a success story that the head surgeons of their operation recently had an article published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
Additionally, the team was praised for using new techniques to reconstruct the girls’ skulls and tissues before the operation.
This new technique was groundbreaking and led to a better and safer operation. This allowed the team to separate the twins at an earlier stage of life, easing the girls’ recovery. This was reported by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
A year and a half after the risky operation, the twins are currently leading a normal life and their parents couldn’t be prouder of their daughters.
The family was always aware that the girls would need more surgery in the future. The twins underwent skull reconstruction and additional plastic surgery as they grew older…
During the past year, there were many hospital visits, many appointments, and much planning…
In July 2021, the girls underwent a major surgery to reshape and repair their skulls. Since then, Abby has miraculously healed, while Erin has had a tougher recovery, according to their mother.
Heather created a blog on the internet to keep people updated on the girls’ progress, and you can also follow the Delaney twins on Facebook…
Their life is a fascinating journey, with both ups and downs. Last September, mother Heather revealed that both girls were also diagnosed with autism, another heavy blow for the family…
“There’s such a stigma on autism, and it makes me scared for the girls’ future. They already have so much to contend with, and then to be autistic as well is just very hard. I shed a lot of tears when I got that call. I just want the diagnosis to stop. I know it changes nothing. I know the girls are still who they are, and our love for them remains the same, if not more, than yesterday. But another diagnosis is just disheartening,” wrote Heather.
In her latest post on her blog, Heather said Abby is getting closer to walking every day, and Erin is “walking upstairs, running around, and getting stronger every day.”
When I look at these precious girls, who will turn six years old this year, my heart is filled. They are truly special and beautiful. Fortunately, the twins also have the best mom and dad by their side…
“We are so proud of the girls. How far they’ve come, and where they’re going. Not once have we wished it was different, because we love our girls just as they are,” says Heather.
These parents are an inspiration to us all. Those beautiful little angels are adorable. God bless them and continue to watch over them!
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