Proud parents of four wonderful children have gone through a tough time in the last few years where they had to make a critical and life-changing decision regarding the lives of their children.
Elysse Mata was told that the twins she was pregnant with were dangerously joined at the chest area, where they were sharing all the vital organs which put the kids at risk. However, with hope and faith in their hearts, Elysse and her husband Eric, decided to keep the pregnancy going.
The family, who were in Lubbock, Texas, placed their complete faith in God and trusted in the experience and expertise of the surgeons residing at the Texas Children’s Hospital for the survival of their twin girls. The twins had gone through a separation operation that had never been successful in the past but had successfully worked on the twins.
On the 11th of April of 2014, Elysse gave birth to the twins; Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith, who shared a chest well, lungs, a pericardial sac, diaphragm, liver, intestines, colon and pelvis.
Elysse was advised on ending her pregnancy but the Mata family did not even consider that as an option.
“I don’t care what the case is, I’m going to go as long as I can, and if God decided that he needs them more, then so be it. It was Heaven on Earth, just to be able to hold them so close to me. Everybody talks about when they see their baby, they don’t count their toes, they just see a baby… I just saw two miracle angels laying there, peacefully sleeping.” – Elysse Mata stated to ABC news.
For almost a whole year, the twins; Knatalye and Adeline, lived at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, supervised by an expert medical team. The parents, alongside their 5-year-old son, Azariah, packed up and moved into an RV to be closer to the hospital and the twins.
With conjoined twin cases, it was observed that even after making it through the birthing process, a 5-25% survival rate was a positive optimum chance for survival. Dr. Darrell Cass, the lead surgeon for the separation surgery, made sure that his team was well prepared for whatever might happen. For several months, the team had practiced the operation on 3D models and deciding on the best possible method of undertaking the procedure.
“Separating conjoined twins is a very complicated task and there are lots of risks involved, and death is absolutely one of those risks,” Dr. Darrell Cass.
12 surgeons, 6 anesthesiologists, and 8 surgical nurses catered to the 10-month-old twins for a testing 26-hour surgery at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. It was the first successful operation of its kind and counted as a victory not just for the Mata family, but for the medical field.
“We are so grateful to all of the surgeons and everyone who cared for our daughters and gave them the incredible chance to live separate lives. We know how much planning and time went into this surgery and we are so blessed to be at a place like Texas Children’s where we have access to the surgeons and caretakers that have made this dream a reality. We also want to express our gratitude to all of the people that have prayed and provided support to our family over the last 10 months.” Elysse Mata.
The family had the support of family, friends, online Facebook followers as well as the support of the medical team throughout the ordeal.
“In addition to the great care our girls received, the thoughts, prayers and outpouring of love from the community really helped get us through the last year and we are grateful for everyone’s continued support,” Elysse said, according to the Daily Mail report.
The family has not stopped updating their Facebook page, keeping everyone in the loop on how well Faith and Hope are doing.
“Before the girls were wheeled off to their almost 24-hour surgery, we all gathered around their bed along with their family for a prayer. I remember looking around during the prayer and seeing the nurses, doctors, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, patient care assistants, family members, chaplains and social workers all praying for our girls. I was overwhelmed with how many people were here because they simply loved the girls. Suddenly I felt at peace in that moment. As the girls were wheeled off to surgery, the team lined the hallway to see them off. It was a truly remarkable moment in Texas Children’s Hospital history. Many of us stayed around throughout the day and checked in with the family while the girls underwent surgery. We had all become an extended part of the Mata family and those girls were our girls. We wanted to be there for the updates. We wanted to hear they were doing well.” – Elysse Mata.
The twins have grown very different to one another and each holds their own. Elysse states that the twins are just branching out and growing into separate individual personalities. She states that half the time, the twins do not even like each other but that she is excited in regards to the next upcoming years to see what they are going to do.
Azariah, the twin’s older brother, has been awaiting his two sisters to join him during playtime, and has been making plans on how he is going to turn the tree house into a Bat Cave and hoping that his sisters would join him in playing in the future Bat Cave.
Hope had recovered faster than her sister in May, whereas Faith required more care and was only discharged in July.
“All the normal stuff, that’s what I want to do. Cleaning diapers, picking up the house, all that stuff that nobody wants to do, that’s what I want to do right now because the last few months have been super crazy,” Eric Mata told ABC news after he finally had the chance to bring his family back home after 16 months.Elysse Mata describes her daughter Knatalye Hope Mata as her little wild one who is everywhere! She talks about how her little girl is walking, talking, climbing and trying to run everywhere. That she is smart, loving, silly and determined to do everything.
Adeline Faith Mata got a tracheotomy but that did not slow her down too much. She was on a vent 24/7 but is now able to be off it while awake and only uses 1 to 2 liters of oxygen. She scoots around on her bottom and stands up by pulling herself up on anything she can get her hand on, and can also walk but with assistance. Her legs are weak and stiff but she tries hard and perseveres.
In September of 2015, the twins became older sisters to the newest addition to the family; Mia Love Mata. Their mother states that Mia loves her sisters and that the girls are playing their role of big sisters down to the dot. She mentions how Hope loves Mia but that Faith was not a big fan.
With four children out and about, life is busy and tiring for the Mata family but their kids fill their lives with Faith, Hope and Love, with Azariah being a great elder brother for his sisters. With all the added responsibility, Elysse Mata decided to go back to school to become a nurse so she can better be prepared around for her children.
“Hope and faith, that’s I guess the mantra for the whole journey. I want everybody to know, don’t ever give up,” Eric Mata.
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