May 23, 2007 7:35 pm US/Central
Visiting Carlsen Twins, 1 Year After Separation
by Jeanette Trompeter
Rochester, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The atmosphere was very different as Amy and Jesse Carlsen played with their daughters in the waiting room.
CBS
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The two parents had much lighter hearts, and two little girls living much different lives. (File)
CBS
It was in May of last year doctors at the Mayo Clinic separated conjoined twins Abby and Belle Carlsen. This week, they had their one-year check-up with the medical team at Mayo.
The atmosphere was very different as Amy and Jesse Carlsen played with their daughters in the waiting room. There was a lot of laughter and activity. The two parents had much lighter hearts, and two little girls living much different lives.
A little more than a year ago, the Carlsen sisters were connected. Their doctors were optimistic, while their parents were nervous.
After a 12-hour surgery involving more than 30 doctors and nurses, there was a collective sigh of relief. Two amazing little girls began living separately.
Today, you'd never know they once lived connected, nor the trauma they went through. Dr. Chris Moir led the medical team of more than 30 who help separate Abby and Belle. He is amazed at how well they're doing considering all they had done to them.
"The liver was separated, the pancreas, the bile ducts, all those things," Moir reflected. "A year out, if there's problems, you should start seeing them by now. We're not seeing
any problems at all."
Abby and Belle are growing just as they should. They each weigh about 18 pounds.
"Two more pounds and we can turn the car seats around," Jesse jokes.
Because the girls where connected at the chest, there is still some development needed in their sternums. Doctors examining the girls say at some point they may have to do some reconstruction to provide more protection of the heart as they grow, but at this point, it doesn't prompt much concern.
"This falls into the category of the expected and known," said Moir.
Abby and Belle are progressing perfectly. Their parents say the twins are walking, running, talking, going up and down stairs, playing, feeding themselves with forks, fighting, sharing and dancing.
"They are normal little girls" says Amy.
They are still capturing all kinds of attention. As WCCO-TV followed them around Mayo Clinic, they said "hi" to every person who walked by them, or near them.
The girls are given the healthy thumbs up by doctors after their two day check-up, and head back to North Dakota. Moir said the twins should come back once a year just to make sure they continue to progress so well.
He'd like to see them back more often than that, but it has nothing to do with medicine.
"They get into your heart quickly and stay there," said Moir, who jokes he's going to have to come up with reasons to get the girls back to Mayo.
The sentiment is echoed by the nurses, surgeons and staff who got to know the girls during their long stay at Mayo last year. They are clearly thrilled to watch the girls walking and toddling through the hospital halls one year later.
"It is a joy and pleasure to see them. This is the best part of medicine." Moir adds with a big smile.
Abby and Belle Carlsen continue their role as little miracles.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Slideshow: Carlsen Twins 1 Year After Surgery
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