The conjoined twins

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I imagine I am late with this, the conjoined twins died yesterday. What are your thoughts?

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I hate that it happened, but they knew the chances of survival. They died doing what they thought would make them more independent and a new life. Sad that this was the ending of a new life but I bet that they would have regret it in some ways because it would be a new way of life for them.

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How brave it was of them to even attempt that !! I feel bad it didn't work out for either of them.

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Specializes in ICU.

Sad but it WAS thier decision taken in the full knowledge of a 50% survival. We have had limited success with separating babies who were joined at the head but by the sounds of it there was just too much interconneciton.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Originally posted by wanabebabynurse

How brave it was of them to even attempt that !! I feel bad it didn't work out for either of them.

My thoughts exactly. Very sad. Very brave. Hold much respect for these 2 sisters... :o

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Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care.

It is so sad. My heart goes out to their friends and loved ones and, of course, the medical team. It was a brave effort; I'm sorry it cost them their lives.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

They were weary of living in the conjoined state. I may be wrong, but it was almost as if they were saying if they couldn't live separate lives, then they just didn't want to live anymore. They wanted their freedom more than life itself.

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I have to wonder about the bleeding....didn't scans and tests prior to the surgery show where all the major blood vessels were? Wouldn't the doctor have KNOWN he was cutting through a major artery?

So sad, so sad... :o

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by Zee_RN

It is so sad. My heart goes out to their friends and loved ones and, of course, the medical team. It was a brave effort; I'm sorry it cost them their lives.

My sentiments exactly. For whatever reason, I still think of them. They were so excited and smiling with happiness that they were going to have the chance to live apart for the first time in their lives.....no matter what the cost. I was shocked when I heard about them dying. :o

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It is sad indeed. I think that dying under anesthesia is not a bad way to go, they weren't in pain and were not aware. I personally would rather have that outcome than live with my head stuck to my sister.

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I have to wonder about the bleeding....didn't scans and tests prior to the surgery show where all the major blood vessels were? Wouldn't the doctor have KNOWN he was cutting through a major artery?

The scans were very good, but there are limitations. For example, they had no idea how thick the bone was until they attempted to cut it, and the scans didn't reveal how closely fused the two brains had become. This was all unexpected. The twins had one major artery supplying their brains with blood, so they had to construct a new one for one of them. That one became occluded, so then they had to make a second one. Also, the microcirculation in the brain is very complex--there are so many vessels, it was impossible to see on a scan and impossible to avoid when trying to cut through the fused tissue.

I have been following the twins for about a year, and followed their surgery. I went to sleep, reading that the operation was so far a success, and then woke up the next morning and they were gone. I cried, and felt awful. Even though I don't know these women, I was so moved by their determination and courage, and their strength. Their dream was to live independent lives, at any cost.

I was so sure that it would work out well. Everything seemed to be going well for them. After years of trying to get separated, technology had finally advanced to the point where they stood a chance. They had a wonderful team of international surgeons, including the renowned Ben Carson from Johns Hopkins; a great support team of 100 persons; the hospital and doctors all waived their fees, and the Iranian govt gave $300,000 for their post-op care. They had millions praying for them. It was such a shock that they didn't make it. I mean, I know there was a tremendous risk involved, but still, everything seemed in their favor.

I hope at least that through this attempt, the medical community has learned more about the brain, and about this kind of surgery, and that it may be used to help someone else.

I am awed by the courage of Laleh and Laden. They have inspired me to get off my butt and start seriously moving to make my own dreams come true.

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The thing that really struck me as sad and inspiring - very poignant really - was the fact that they went back home in seperate coffins. Imaging living all your life together and then only in death are you apart..

amazing stories and amazing women

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