Meet the Durham Twins
Kai and Maverick were born at 24 weeks and 3 days gestation, as a result of premature labour and Severe Stage 3 Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Despite being treated for having DCDA twins, with two sacs and two placentas(common low risk twin pregnancy)- to our horror it was discovered in labour that they were actually MCDA twins with TTTS and were both extremely unwell. The odds were extremely low that they would not survive birth, or not last long after.
Doctors worked so quickly to slow down labour for as long as possible, and I was flown from Grafton Base Hospital to Brisbane Mater Mothers Hospital that night and the boys were delivered the following morning as they couldn’t stop labour progressing any further.
While getting prepped for a Classical C-section due to placement of Twin B, the boys changed the plan and were born naturally mere minutes apart, on Mummas birthday!
Kai(Twin A) was born at just 664g and Maverick(Twin B) was born incredibly tiny at 390grams. They were both extremely unwell and with a long terrifying road ahead of them. Kai was resuscitated many time, and Mavericks lungs collapsed within hours. The boys are still facing the wrath of being born so early, now being diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity. It is a complete miracle that they are even here ❤️
Our daughter Eva was only 8 months when they were born, and our older daughters Ayla and Amari both 10. Because of this, Troy had to return to home in Grafton a week after birth to work and be able to support all of us and keep Amari in school. I stay in Brisbane with now 10 month old Eva and the boys in the Neonatal Critical Care Unit at Mater. Troy owns his own small business so the financial stress has put an extreme amount of pressure on us both while being torn in two different directions and being separated nearly the whole time while Troy works as much as possible to keep bills paid and maintain a home for the boys to return to in December.
This has now caused further problems ahead of the twins being able to return home because the next 4 months of pregnancy was meant to be for preparing for the new additions and getting everything ready. The boys are both incredibly strong, battling everything that’s been thrown their way and defying all the odds stacked against them. They have battled lung collapses, infections, sepsis, suspected meningitis, blood transfusions, feeding issues, brain bleeds, bowel issues, heart issues and many others.
Maverick spent 54 days straight intubated, and Kai had many attempts off the ventilator but ultimately 43 days completely ventilated. They are now both on cpap but this can change at anytime.
They will return home on long term oxygen at a minimum. What other medicals needs they require are still being determined each day with no end in sight.
The road ahead is still extremely long, with many challenges to fight for a long time yet. The main goal is to get them home where they belong, but this means more financial challenges and changes to be made.
The money raised will contribute to the large fuel bill from the commute between Grafton and Brisbane twice a week. The upkeep of rent and bills swallowing us and still maintaining a small business with employees. The cost of bringing them home with an extensive amount of medical requirements and follow up needed. Purchasing the extra stuff needed to make the transition to home smoother and hopefully keep us out of hospital. It’s looking like Christmas will be in hospital this year.
We have contemplated this for a long time, but realistically we need to ask for and accept help so we can bring our boys home happy, healthy and safe as soon as possible. If you can spare anything at all we would really appreciate it more than words can explain.
It’s been 11 weeks since they arrived, and 5 more to go until their due date- but could be longer before they return home depending on the conditions of their health. We are day 78 today and blown away by how amazing they are growing, these boys are so strong! ❤️❤️❤️