Newly separated two-year-old twins, Eva and Erika Sandoval, are bursting with joy just in time for Christmas. The beautiful girls were born conjoined, but are healing from a successful surgery that took 50 medical professionals and 17 hours. A viral video shows the two enthralled at the sight of each other after they are finally reunited.
The Sandoval twins’ story shows what can happen when a medical team is focused on life — and the value of every life — even in the midst of difficult and unusual circumstances. Throughout the pregnancy, the doctors diligently worked to keep the girls and their mother healthy and alive — even simulating various delivery scenarios.
Stanford Children’s Health reports:
After performing fetal MRI scans to investigate the babies’ anatomy, the team brought in Louis Halamek, MD, professor of neonatal and developmental medicine and director of the Center for Advanced Pediatric and Perinatal Education at Packard Children’s, who made a specialized conjoined mannequin that resembled the twins as closely as possible to facilitate realistic simulations. The team practiced potential delivery scenarios with the mannequin, including intubating, or inserting breathing tubes.
The twins’ mother is grateful for the medical team’s focus and dedication to preserving her daughters’ lives:
“I can’t say enough about all the members of the care team, the surgeons, physicians, nurses and all the specialists. Every incision they made, I know God was there,” Aida Sandoval said. “We know Erika and Eva are bound for great, amazing things.”
Since the video of the girls has gone viral, their parents posted a message to the world on Facebook:
It’s so heart warming to see our girls being shared with love across the country. We couldn’t be more grateful for all the love and support that has surrounded us. Many thanks for the continued prayers and support.
