Mum’s love flows after Nima and Dawa’s emotional tests at Royal Children’s Hospital

THE mother of conjoined twins Nima and Dawa Pelden says she loves her girls more than ever after a highly emotional four hours as the pair underwent their first medical procedures in Melbourne en route to separation.

THE mother of conjoined twins Nima and Dawa Pelden says she loves her girls more than ever after seeing them undertake their first medical procedures in Melbourne en route to separation.

The 14-month-old Bhutanese sisters had an anaesthetic for an extensive range of hi-tech medical examinations and tests at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Thursday.

The procedures came less than 48 hours after arriving in Australia, following a marathon flight from Bhutan, high in the eastern Himalayas.

CONJOINED TWINS’ MERCY DASH FROM BHUTAN TO MELBOURNE FOR RADICAL SURGERY

TWINS NIMA AND DAWA ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE

SCANS, TESTS FOR BHUTANESE TWINS

While the first steps in the separation process were a huge relief for mum Bhumchu Zangmo after a year of waiting for help, they were also highly emotional.

Despite getting up at 3am to make the journey from Kilmore, she was too worried to sleep while the girls were having their procedures and burst into tears when they had their first anaesthetic.

Bhumchu told the Herald Sun she was extremely worried when the procedures extended to four hours, before hearing all had gone well.

“I am very happy,” she said through the interpretation of Bhutanese nurse Tshewant Choden.

“I love and care for them now even more than before.”

HERALD SUN ONLY-----4/10/2018. Bhutan Conjoined Twins. Mum Bhumchu Zangmo with Nima [left], and Dawa [right] at the Children First Foundation, after a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital for scans and various tests under aesthetic. Dawa has scrathes on her face from her dominant sister. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Mum Bhumchu Zangmo holds Nima [right], and Dawa [left] on their way home from the Royal Children's Hospital. Picture: Alex Coppel

HERALD SUN ONLY-----4/10/2018. Bhutan Conjoined Twins. Mum Bhumchu Zangmo lying with Nima [right], and Dawa [left] at the Children First Foundation, after a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital for scans and various tests under aesthetic. Dawa has scratches on her face from her dominant sister. Picture: Alex Coppel.

HOW NIMA AND DAWA WILL BE SEPARATED IN MELBOURNE

After being discharged from the RCH, the twins were recovering at Children First Foundation, where Dawa remained groggy while Nima was active and wanting to play and watch Trolls.

Following the procedures, the RCH released a statement saying the twins sailed through their MRI scan.

“The procedure ran smoothly and our clinical team are pleased with the way they tolerated the anaesthesia,” the RCH said.

“Clinicians will review results of all assessments over the coming days with a view to finalising the treatment plan, and paediatric disciplines required, early next week.”

RCH Director of anaesthesia and pain management Dr Ian McKenzie with twins Nima and Dawa. Picture: RCH

RCH fresh vision of conjoined twins Nima and Dawa. Twins Nima and Dawa anaesthetised for their MRI. Picture: RCH

An MRI image of twins Nima and Dawa. Picture: RCH

Twins Nima and Dawa about to undergo an MRI. Picture: RCH

Earlier, RCH anaesthesia pain management director Dr Ian McKenzie said the tests and scans were needed to gauge the health of the girls as well as the makeup of their anatomy.

He said there were many bridges to cross before plans for their separation could be completed, with it being difficult to even work out how much weight each had lost when they could not be weighed independently.

“They are pretty small, they are a bit fragile and we will be taking the best care we can. We expect it will go very well,” Dr McKenzie said.

RCH Head of paediatric surgery Mr Joe Cramer said he was thrilled with how well the girls had presented since arriving in Australia.

HOW YOU CAN DONATE

With the surgery and 24/7 care Nima and Dawa will require in Australia the separation process could cost up to $300,000.

CFF chief executive officer Elizabeth Lodge now hopes the Australian public’s generosity during a fundraising campaign can match the RCH’s skill.

“These little girls are extra special because if we didn’t do this surgery … we are just concerned whether they would live,” she said.

“We are just thrilled the Royal Children’s are working with us.

“They have separated conjoined twins before, Trishna and Krishna who were brought to Australia by Children First Foundation, so that expertise and knowledge will be harnessed once again.

“We will have some of the same surgeons, the anaesthetists, the theatre staff, we will have an ICU team back with us again, so we are very confident these little girls will be separated successfully and soon be able to crawl, roll, jump and run as two little independents.”

Here’s how you can help Nima and Dawa:

1: Donate by phone on our toll-free number 1800 99 22 99

2: Text TWINs to 0437 371 371 to make an online donation

3: Visit childrenfirstfoundation.org.au/donate and select Twins18 as the campaign name

4: Donate by electronic transfer via your online banking system to the account details below.

Bank: Bendigo Bank

Name: Children First Foundation (CFF Gift Account)

BSB: 633-000

Account number: 163045552

Reference: Enter your full name and “twins”

To receive a tax receipt for donations made by electronic transfer please email [e-mail] with the transaction details.

PICTURE SPECIAL: OVERCOMING MOUNTAINS TO GIVE CONJOINED TWINS HOPE

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