Jadon and Anias making a "QUICK recovery": Update!
Anias McDonald, left, stares at his brother Jadon for the first time since the surgery that separated them.
An update on Jadon and Anias via CNN Health
“Separated twins: After hardest surgery, the quickest recovery”
November 22nd, 2016
Like millions of people worldwide, I’ve been following the story of Jadon and Anias McDonald. Conjoined twins, separated (recently) after a grueling 27 hour procedure. Read this blog post for some background on the story:
That brings us to today’s update. In the four weeks following the boys’ surgery, Mom (Nicole) and Dad (Christian) have not seen their babies without large bandages atop their heads. Well, for Jadon, that is no longer the case! For a brief moment while Jadon was having his bandages changed, the McDonald’s got to see their boy’s head.
Jadon McDonald smiles and waves at his father shortly after his head dressing was removed / CNN Health
“It’s the most amazing thing. I just can’t even believe it. And look at his little hair. On top, it’s growing in!”
“Hey there, my man. You sure are handsome. Look at you. You look like a perfect little boy.”
Anias has been on the mend as well, though progressing more slowly than Jadon. Dr. Goodrich (the amazing surgeon who performed the separation) explains that with twins joined at the head, there is always a dominant child. This child does double the work, their heart and lungs work overtime to keep both boys alive. Anias is the non-dominant child. This explains his post-op struggles with breathing and eating (which were an issue pre-op as well).
Despite that, Dr. Goodrich says both boys are doing very, very well and “ahead of schedule” when it comes to their recovery which “makes everyone happy.”
“Historically, this will be the fastest (recovery)” which he credits to being “Just good kids”.
Goodrich informed the family of the successful separation at about 3 a.m. on Friday, October 14. “Well, we did it,” he told them.
The boys are 14 months old and set to move to rehab shortly after Thanksgiving (US). Jadon is ready to go now but the medical staff have agreed it’s best to keep the boys together at this stage so they can pursue rehab in a similar capacity. Anias does not have the same range of motions as Jadon but caregivers believe he will get there.
Unlike most children their age, Jadon and Anias have not reached the typical milestones like crawling, lifting their heads, standing or attempting to walk. The surgery has set them back to infancy. Luckily, Mom is a pediatric physical therapist!
A poem in the boys hospital room reads:
I’m your twin
You’re my twin
We stick together through thick and thin
No matter what I do
I’m always stuck with you.
With both boys being “way ahead of schedule” in their recovery, the family knows it will be a long road. Lead plastic surgeon Dr. Oren Tepper says that Anias will eventually need more surgery to try to create a new skull cap out of bone from his hip or rib. He will progress, for the next few years, just fine so long as he wears a protective helmet. Both Jadon and Anias will be wearing helmets before going into rehab.
“They’re really doing a lot better than I’d hoped. The whole world has gotten behind these kids.”
#JadonandAnias: conjoined twins leading new, separate lives after 27 hour surgery.
I've been following the story of conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald since learning of their life-changing surgery earlier this month (Thurs., Oct. 13). The 13 month old twins underwent a 27 hour surgery performed by leading neurosurgeon in craniopagus surgery, Dr. James Goodrich, at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Their story is an unusual one and the decision to separate was very hard on parents Nicole and Christian.
“Twins joined at the head, called craniopagus twins, are exceedingly rare, occurring in one out of every 2.5 million births. About 40% of the twins are stillborn, and another third die within 24 hours of their birth. Studies have showed that 80% of twins joined at the head die of medical complications by the age of 2 if not separated. ”
Photos: Conjoined twins at the head prepare to be separated
Anias and Jadon McDonald were born conjoined at the head on September 9, 2015, via an unscheduled C-section. "They were normal little boys, like any other two little babies you would see," said their father Christian McDonald, "except for being conjoined."
-CNN Health
For those following the amazing story of #JadonandAnias, you'll know that they boys were successfully separated. They have begun their new life as independent beings. Jadon's breathing tube was removed this week allowing her mother, Nicole, to finally hold her baby in her arms. This is the first time in their 13 months of life that she has been able to do that.
Photos: Conjoined twins separated: Inside the hospital
Nicole McDonald holds her son Jadon for the first time. - CNN Health
Brother Anias isn't doing as well as Jadon (pictured above). He will have to wait a little longer to be held by his parents. Anias has been suffering seizures, breathing issues and dealing with heart problems (pre-existing conditions that have continued, but are being managed via medicine, post-op). Still, doctors are pleased with his progression and know that he will catch up to Jadon soon enough.
The McDonald family are not well versed in the internet and it's ways... So Nicole was absolutely FLOORED to see that their GoFundMe page had exceeded the family's hopes (they gave up everything and moved to the Bronx to be close to the Children's Hospital & Dr. Goodrich) and their story has captivated the world.
Best wishes to these two, their older brother, mom and dad. Their faith has kept them strong and modern medicine has given them a second chance at life. I can't stop searching the hashtag "Jadon and Anias" / #JadonandAnias. The updates have been inspiring and might add a little sunshine to your day. The world is rooting for you two!! Little miracle babies! <3