It was a testimony to a miracle as a team of experts and surgeons at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, United States successfully performed one of the most complex surgeries. They separated conjoined twin girls from Nigeria. Testimony and Miracle Ayeni were born conjoined at the waist.
Thanks to Nigerian-based Linking Hands Foundation and Le Bonheur, the girls are able to celebrate their first birthday, which happens to be yesterday.
When Mary Ayeni was six months pregnant doctors gave her and her husband, Samuel, news they’ll never forget. She was pregnant with conjoined twins, a rare condition that affects about one in five million births.
Samuel and Mary say they put their faith in God and their children in his hands. “We as a parent, we are happy that they are alive and safe, strong and healthy,” said Mary. “I just want to give God all the praises because He deserves it in so many ways,” said Samuel.
Samuel and Mary have faced what no parent ever should. Their twin baby girls were born conjoined.
“They shared a colon, a single anus, two bladders between them, although their kidneys were hooked to both of them a lot of complex gynecologic problems and an open pelvis that would not allow them to walk,” explained Dr. Max Langham.
Without separation, they would forever be dependent on each other and caregivers to function. After nearly a year, the family moved from Nigeria to Memphis.
“They had the faith to give up job, home, family, travel to a country they’d never been to all in the hope that advocating for their kids. Their kids would have a better life,” said Dr. Langham.
It took months of preparation, tests and planning. Doctors faced multiple challenges to perform such a complex surgery. On November 7th, the Le Bonheur team went to work. It took 18 hours to separate Testimony and Miracle.
“I just want to bless God for leading us to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital,” said Samuel. “I’m rejoicing. I’m happy because they are one and they are separated, alive and safe. That’s my joy,” said Mary.
The girls are doing great. Although there are additional surgeries down the road, doctors say their future looks bright. It’s the second time this type of surgery has been performed at Le Bonheur. The first one was five years ago.
