topic Conjoined twins- to separate or not? in Community Chat

Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

lolakimono — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:15:06 GMT

Would you separate conjoined twins (that share a heart) if you knew that one would be sacrificed to save the other?

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

lolakimono — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:17:31 GMT

A new mom fusses over her baby boys. They are twins who are locked in a permanent embrace.

Andrew and Garett were born conjoined, fused together from their chests to their waists. The boys each have two arms and two legs and most of their major organs are separate, but they share one heart and one liver.

The boys were born just three weeks ago at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Their parents, Michelle Van Horne and Kody Stancombe were faced with an impossible choice. The babies could be separated, but it was incredibly risky.

Dr. John Chan is the medical director of the intensive care nursery. He told INSIDE EDITION, “It would mean the possibility of sacrificing one with no guarantee of the other surviving anyway.”

Andrew would have died instantly and Garett would have needed a heart and liver transplant. The odds of his survival are very slim.

Michelle told INSIDE EDITION, “We made the decision to not separate them at all, love them the way they are and keep them until it’s their time to go.”

The boys have an adoring big brother named Riley. He is clearly thrilled with his baby brothers.

But caring for conjoined twins is not easy. Changing diapers is a challenge with two pairs of legs getting in the way. The babies have healthy appetites but as they get bigger and stronger, their shared heart will be under a lot of strain.

Conjoined twins can grow up to live happy full lives.

Minnesota teenagers Abby and Brittany Hensel have their own reality show.

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon from Dayton, Ohio, are the world's oldest surviving conjoined twins. They are 63. But unlike the brothers in Pennsylvania, they each have a heart.

With the future uncertain, Michelle and Kody are living in the moment and grateful to have any time at all with their miracle babies.

Michelle said, “We don't know how long they have. To me, it’s a miracle every day waking up, hearing them cry, feeding them, holding them, loving them.”

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

Luv2Decorate — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:23:51 GMT

I have no idea what we'd do. Can 1 heart support 2 body's and for how long? It's incredibly sad.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

lolakimono — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:25:05 GMT

It doesn't sound like the heart will last, but I don't know if they have months or years.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

Allegheny — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:25:37 GMT

This is indeed a very sad. It was on our local news. It appears that a separation would probably be fatal to both babies, so I understand why the parents would not even consider such and just enjoy the time they have with their babies.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

occasionalrain — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:27:34 GMT

They really don't have a decision since it's more than likely both would die if separation were attempted.

Now if separating would mean one would die while the other would be healthy then separating would be my choice.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

gazelle77 — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:48:45 GMT

The children will have a tortured existence when older, and if one twin gets sick or dies later, the other may also die. I think the Mother's reason for keeping them conjoined is selfish, but, understandable from her point of view. She loves them

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

scotttie — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:03:44 GMT

I don't think anybody knows what they would do unless they are in that situation themselves.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

Marienkaefer2 — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:07:34 GMT

On 5/7/2014 scotttie said:
I don't think anybody knows what they would do unless they are in that situation themselves.

I totally agree.

It's heartbreaking.

I think you would have to pray hard to God for guidance in this.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

SydneyH — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:07:47 GMT

On 5/7/2014 Luv2Decorate said:
I have no idea what we'd do. Can 1 heart support 2 body's and for how long? It's incredibly sad.

No it can not, the time might vary based on other factors........

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

scotttie — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:12:48 GMT

On 5/7/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:
On 5/7/2014 scotttie said:
I don't think anybody knows what they would do unless they are in that situation themselves.

I totally agree.

It's heartbreaking.

I think you would have to pray hard to God for guidance in this.

Oh yes.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

missy1 — Thu, 08 May 2014 03:22:21 GMT

On 5/7/2014 gazelle77 said: The children will have a tortured existence when older, and if one twin gets sick or dies later, the other may also die. I think the Mother's reason for keeping them conjoined is selfish, but, understandable from her point of view. She loves them

One dies, the other will.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

Lila Belle — Thu, 08 May 2014 03:29:47 GMT

What an awful decision to face. This is a time to place your faith and trust in the team treating your children.

I know what I'd do but wouldn't presume to advise anyone else.

Prayers for those beautiful babies, their parents and physicians.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

shoekitty — Thu, 08 May 2014 03:44:57 GMT

All I think is, God Bless and hold that family tight. What a hard choice. I had twin girls, and IDK if it is a choice I would ever want to make.

Life and time will probably make the choice forthem, if they do not intercede

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

shoekitty — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:18:42 GMT

I would like to add. Although it seems sad and unfair, it will work out. They are most likely doing the "right thing", because they are following their hearts. They seems certain of the choice they have made.

We are given certain challenges in life, although invariably some have it worse than others. I believe those challenges are given to those can handle them. They may not think they can handle it at the time . When we look back on people who had huge choices and challenges to take on...they not only made the best choice, they made the best of it. And everyone was better for it. JMHO.

I wish them both the gift of strength and peace.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

divine — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:35:49 GMT

My first thought was this is a Sophie's choice, but when I read they'd both likely die if separated, I understand their parents choice.

God bless them and give them strength.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

BeckiWV — Thu, 08 May 2014 05:55:46 GMT

If their condition with one heart is such that separation would likely kill them both anyway, then I can understand the mother's choice. It's hard to say how long they will live anyway. Why not keep them and love them the way they are for as long as she has with them? It sounds like it likely will not be long.

Did you guys know that Chang and Eng Bunker the "original" Siamese twins who came to the U. S. at a young age to be exhibited to the public, then lived in North Carolina after they retired, could have been separated easily if they lived today? They were connected by a fibrous band of cartilege but shared no vital organs. They did have fused, but independent, livers. They married sisters, and each had large families and have many descendants today.

They lived part of the week in one brother's house and the rest of the week in the other's. Whoever's house they were in made the rules. One of the brothers died of pneumonia and the family sent for a doctor to try an emergency separation but it was too late.

I just find them so fascinating!

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

chrystaltree — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:14:38 GMT

I know exactly what I would do. Yes, without hesitation. It's not a hard decision at all because if they aren't separated both babies will die. I would want to give one of my babies a chance at life, no matter how slight.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

LilacTree — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:48:32 GMT

I have been so emotional lately that I had all I could do to stifle a really hard cry when I read this. My heart goes out to these parents, having babies should be such a joyful thing. I have no idea what I would do in their position . . . none. It is beyond sad.

Re: Conjoined twins- to separate or not?

terrier3 — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:08:18 GMT

I would follow the doctors' advice.

I think a neutral opinion would help.