James Finley and Amanda Arciniega, parents from Saginaw, Texas, shared their astonishment upon learning they were expecting conjoined twins. The couple experienced a mix of emotions, with sadness and uncertainty, as they embarked on this challenging journey.
The twins shared a liver and were connected from the lower sternum to the navel, making the separation complex. Dr. Ben Gbulie, a plastic surgeon at Cook Children’s Hospital, noted that the medical community does not have a defined treatment procedure for every case of conjoined twins.
A team of six surgeons, led by Dr. Jose Iglesias, spearheaded the initiative at Cook Children’s Medical Center. The successful separation demonstrated the power of human spirit, research, and collaborative effort.
Dr. Iglesias expressed optimism for the twins’ recovery and future. Although they will require a period of gradual recovery, he believes they have the potential to live healthy lives, possibly even approaching normalcy.
