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Most of you know my sister Yvonne. And that she is engaged to Chandler and they have a 7 year old daughter Adelaide. Many of you may NOT know she found out she is pregnant with twin boys in June.
Her Doctors have considered her high risk due to her age, the babies sharing a placenta and being in one amniotic sac separated by a membrane, in other words Diamniotic monochorionic twins. It's very rare to see and complications can arise as with any pregnancy.
Unfortunately, we found out today that the babies have a diagnosis of twin to twin transfusion also called stuck twin syndrome. Essentially, the boys Emmet and Elliot are not sharing the blood supply and nutrients equally and it is causing serious issues for both of them and rapidly. Here is a better explanation of twin to twin syndrome:
Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a disease of the placenta that affects identical twin pregnancies.
TTTS affects identical twins who share a common placenta.The shared placenta contains abnormal blood vessels, which connect the umbilical cords and circulations of the twins.
The common placenta is shared unequally by the twins, and one twin has a share too small to provide the necessary nutrients to grow normally or even survive. While the other twin receiving too much blood can suffer from heart failure and demise from too much strain on the heart. It is not hereditary or genetic, nor is it caused by anything the parents did or did not do. TTTS can happen to anyone.
After going over treatment options and there aren't many at this stage, 23 weeks along, the best chance of success of having one or both babies survive is to have a procedure done at Texas Children's Hospital. The Doctors have stressed that this must be done within days, even stating that waiting even two weeks would cause the demise of both babies. There are no local facilities that do this, the closest being in Charlotte and that physician is out on medical leave. The procedure is a laser procedure that essentially cuts or divides the placenta into two parts, therefore giving each baby the opportunity to thrive on its own. One Dr says the procedure will have a 75% success rate of having one baby survive. Other studies show different numbers and higher rates of survival for both which we are praying for.
Yvonne and Chandler are on a flight out tomorrow Friday September 4th to get the process and procedure done.
With insurance there is a 6900$ out of pocket before anything begins to be covered. About half of that has been paid as of now.
With both of them missing work for an unknown extended period of time, expenses for flights and hotel, food etc, it will be a struggle to stay on top of medical bills already due along with everyday expenses.
We are asking for prayers first, that the procedure and Yvonne and team of physicians are truly in God's hands. And the always uncomfortable asking of any donations to keep them afloat during this time, and the months that follow. There can be any number of complications after birth they may need to prepare for.
Any and all prayers will be appreciated and received with love in return.
And any donations will be appreciated and used to take care of their family during this unexpected and stressful time.
All of of our love to all of you
Below is a link that explains the procedure from the hospital performing it.
http://women.texaschildrens.org/fetoscopic-laser-photocoagulation-for-TTTS/
.
Her Doctors have considered her high risk due to her age, the babies sharing a placenta and being in one amniotic sac separated by a membrane, in other words Diamniotic monochorionic twins. It's very rare to see and complications can arise as with any pregnancy.
Unfortunately, we found out today that the babies have a diagnosis of twin to twin transfusion also called stuck twin syndrome. Essentially, the boys Emmet and Elliot are not sharing the blood supply and nutrients equally and it is causing serious issues for both of them and rapidly. Here is a better explanation of twin to twin syndrome:
Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a disease of the placenta that affects identical twin pregnancies.
TTTS affects identical twins who share a common placenta.The shared placenta contains abnormal blood vessels, which connect the umbilical cords and circulations of the twins.
The common placenta is shared unequally by the twins, and one twin has a share too small to provide the necessary nutrients to grow normally or even survive. While the other twin receiving too much blood can suffer from heart failure and demise from too much strain on the heart. It is not hereditary or genetic, nor is it caused by anything the parents did or did not do. TTTS can happen to anyone.
After going over treatment options and there aren't many at this stage, 23 weeks along, the best chance of success of having one or both babies survive is to have a procedure done at Texas Children's Hospital. The Doctors have stressed that this must be done within days, even stating that waiting even two weeks would cause the demise of both babies. There are no local facilities that do this, the closest being in Charlotte and that physician is out on medical leave. The procedure is a laser procedure that essentially cuts or divides the placenta into two parts, therefore giving each baby the opportunity to thrive on its own. One Dr says the procedure will have a 75% success rate of having one baby survive. Other studies show different numbers and higher rates of survival for both which we are praying for.
Yvonne and Chandler are on a flight out tomorrow Friday September 4th to get the process and procedure done.
With insurance there is a 6900$ out of pocket before anything begins to be covered. About half of that has been paid as of now.
With both of them missing work for an unknown extended period of time, expenses for flights and hotel, food etc, it will be a struggle to stay on top of medical bills already due along with everyday expenses.
We are asking for prayers first, that the procedure and Yvonne and team of physicians are truly in God's hands. And the always uncomfortable asking of any donations to keep them afloat during this time, and the months that follow. There can be any number of complications after birth they may need to prepare for.
Any and all prayers will be appreciated and received with love in return.
And any donations will be appreciated and used to take care of their family during this unexpected and stressful time.
All of of our love to all of you
Below is a link that explains the procedure from the hospital performing it.
http://women.texaschildrens.org/fetoscopic-laser-photocoagulation-for-TTTS/
.