Formerly Conjoined Twins Transferred to New Hospital for Rehabilitation

Nine weeks after conjoined twins Anias and Jadon McDonald were separated, they have been transferred to a new hospital to begin rehabilitation.

The twins conjoined in the brain and the skull were separated in a 20-hour procedure at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx on October 13 and 14.

Last Wednesday, the twins and their family left the New York City hospital where the twins were admitted since February, transferring to Blythedale Children’s Hospital in suburban Westchester where both boys will receive specialised rehabilitation care.

Since the operation, the now 15-month-old twins continue to battle infections, and Anias struggles with seizures. However, these didn’t dampen the twins’ spirits as they are getting stronger, often smiling and are able to look at each other, play together and cuddle each other.

Dr. James Goodrich, the surgeon that has seen them through months of preparation, surgery, and recovery, said that the twins continue to surprise them and their families everyday. “As one of my most difficult cases, we knew recovery would take time, but we are all amazed by how well the boys are bouncing back and are confident they will continue to achieve new milestones at Blythedale,” he said.

The twins, who were born via cesarean section last September near Chicago, Illinois, both suffered infections after the surgery, and Anias developed seizures that are now being controlled with medication. Yet, despite the challenges, the hospital said the boys are able to breathe on their own, eat, interact with their family and play with one another.

Mum Nicole McDonald has expressed her gratitude to the staff who took care of them for months at the Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York. “This is a bittersweet day for us. We are so proud of the strength our boys show us every day as they progress in their recovery, and we are looking forward to seeing them thrive in rehab, but the people at Montefiore have become our extended family. They have supported us every step of the way and we will miss them and this community so much,” she said.

Dr Goodrich and Dr Oren Tepper, who also led the surgery, will continue to monitor the boys’ progress during rehabilitation.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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