Conjoined Twins Experience Joyful Separation Surgery

SEATTLE, Wash. — Twin toddlers El and Ally bring both chaos and joy to their family.

When their mother, Sam Albalushi, discovered she was expecting twins, she felt a rush of happiness. However, complications were soon detected during her pregnancy.

The scans indicated that while the babies were growing, they weren’t moving in utero.

“I was really upset. I felt ill a lot of the time, crying and stressed,” Sam recalled about her third trimester. “Honestly, we were completely in the dark about what was happening.”

The situation became clearer when the girls were born.

“The doctors quickly huddled in a corner, and there was just so much shock in that room,” Sam shared.

El and Ally were found to be conjoined at the pelvis. Medical staff rushed them away before Sam could even see or hold them.

Feeling stunned, Sam said, “I couldn’t process it immediately. My first thought was just—where are my kids? I want to see them.”

When she finally visited them in the NICU, emotions overflowed.

“I’d never seen conjoined twins before, but they looked so beautiful—so incredible,” Sam said, tears streaming down her face. “I was overwhelmed with happiness.”

While the situation was daunting and posed medical challenges, Sam felt a spark of joy from how happy El and Ally were. They were joyful little babies.

However, their parents were convinced that a separation surgery could provide them with a better life.

“I worried about their growth and future,” Sam expressed. “We couldn’t go outside comfortably. It became really difficult to maintain our privacy with everyone wanting to take pictures and ask questions.”

There were also health complications. If one girl fell ill enough to need hospitalization, the other did too. Sleep was also an issue, as one twin’s wakefulness disturbed the other. As time went on, their parents recognized that the twins would want the freedom to walk, run, and play.

Living in the Middle East at the time, Sam researched potential medical options around the world.

“I started searching for hospitals, articles, and research papers,” she said. “How common are conjoined twins? What variations exist?”

The family then relocated to Seattle, and within days, Sam brought the girls to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

“It’s not every day we see patients come to our clinic this way,” Dr. Caitlin A. Smith, co-director of the Reconstructive Pelvic Medicine Program, noted.

Dr. Smith was aware that separating conjoined twins involves significant evaluation. “Not all conjoined twins can undergo separation safely due to shared anatomy,” she explained. “We had to ensure that their pelvic organs could be separated without risk to their survival. Evaluating bladder, bowel, and gynecological functions was crucial.”

A multidisciplinary team, including urologists, gynecologists, and surgeons, came together. “It was a team of about 30,” Smith mentioned, grateful for the skilled staff involved that day.

Over six months, they met monthly to strategize and even conducted practice sessions.

Finally, at 15 months old, El and Ally underwent an 18-hour surgery.

“We’re always thinking about surgeries, but this was unique. It felt rewarding to see them safely separated,” Dr. Smith reflected.

Today, the twins are rapidly adapting to their newfound mobility. Physical therapists Sarah Lewis and Maya King have been working with them since their hospital discharge.

“They’ve started pulling themselves into standing positions, which is exciting,” Lewis noted. “We try to engage them in fun ways to help build their strength for walking.”

The emotional aspect of their development presents additional challenges. After spending more than a year together, waking up post-surgery to be separated was a big adjustment.

“They were smiling but also confused, like ‘What’s happening? Why is she in another crib?'” Sam described their reactions.

The twins now have distinct personalities, yet they still seem connected emotionally. “They’re starting to realize, ‘Where’s my sister? Why am I alone?'” Sam said, suggesting they still long to be together.

Today, they can choose to be around each other, and Sam cherishes moments she initially missed. Holding conjoined twins was a struggle, but now, she can finally cuddle them. “I’m hugging them, and I’m kissing them all the time,” she expressed with warmth.

Despite their progress, El and Ally still have a long journey ahead.

“They have numerous appointments lined up with kidney specialists, urologists, and developmental doctors. Plus, therapy sessions like feeding and physiotherapy,” Sam elaborated. “There’s still a lot on our plate, including future surgeries.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe page for anyone wishing to assist with their ongoing needs.