Conjoined twins Allison and Amelia Tucker were born in March 2012. In November 2012, doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, performed a seven-hour surgery to separate the girls. More than a year later, Allison and Amelia are both healthy and thriving.
Shellie and Greg Tucker learned they were expecting conjoined twins in November 2011. Their obstetrician, who specialized in high-risk pregnancies, advised Shellie to have an abortion. The doctor said a surgery to separate the girls would be difficult, if not impossible.
Seeking a second opinion, the couple consulted doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The doctors told the Tuckers the girls could be separated, and they were willing to do the procedure. When the conjoined twins were 8 months old, a team of 40 doctors performed the delicate procedure.
Allison and Amelia were conjoined at the chest and abdomen. They shared a chest wall, diaphragm, liver, and pericardium.
Although the surgery was difficult, it was an amazing success. The Tuckers said the twins are both healthy and have developed distinct personalities.
On the family’s Caring Bridge page, Shellie describes Allison as energetic, affectionate, and “a tom boy for sure.” Although Allison loves to climb and play in the dirt, she also enjoys playing with dolls.
Shellie describes Amelia as the “sweet goofy one” who “loves to play with the cars and trucks.”
Although both girls initially needed feeding tubes, they are both now eating without assistance.
As reported by Yahoo , Shellie said “Seeing the girls and seeing them climb and get into things, as aggravated as I get I can’t help but laugh because they’re an absolute miracle… I’m thankful for every single day… I can’t describe it.”
The previously conjoined twins are still very close. However, they now have an opportunity to grow and enjoy life as individuals . Greg Tucker said seeing his daughters thrive is “the most amazing feeling.”
