Sydney mum Jorgia Huxtable celebrates after a terrifying ordeal with her premmie twins, Tilly and Mabel

When Sydney mum Jorgia Huxtable’s twins arrived two months early, little did she know that the battle for their lives was only just beginning.

Jorgia and Anders Huxtable with their twins Tilly and Mabel and big sister Olive. The twins were diagnosed with enterovirus myocarditis and enterovirus meningitis. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Born two months early only to then be struck down with a rare, life-threatening disease combination – not many come as strong as Sydney’s tiny Huxtable twins.

Tilly and Mabel suffered a “traumatic” entry into the world on February 22, born at Royal North Shore Hospital each weighing less than 2kg.

It was a tough start, yet three weeks later it would get even worse – with the twins forced to fight for their lives after contracting enterovirus myocarditis and enterovirus meningitis in hospital.

Myocarditis is a disease which is caused due to a viral infection, while meningitis is an infection in the lining of the brain. Not many babies survive the rare disease combination, and at the time, mum Jorgia Huxtable admits, things weren’t looking promising.

Jorgia and Anders Huxtable with their twins Tilly and Mabel and big sister Olive. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Both had the same condition but were affected in different ways – Mabel’s heart was very sick and she needed an emergency transfer to Westmead Hospital,” Mrs Huxtable said.

“She wasn’t responding to medication or other interventions and her little body went into cardiac arrest and she was prepped for bypass surgery – but fortunately doctors were able to stabilise her.

“Yet once Mabel started to recover, then Tilly went downhill – and we got a call saying her heart rate was spiking and she was transferred to Westmead too.

She was smaller than her sister – and so didn’t qualify for surgery – but thankfully they were able to eventually stabilise her too.”

Jorgia Huxtable with twins Tilly and Mabel. The twins were forced to fight for their lives after contracting enterovirus myocarditis and enterovirus meningitis. Picture: Supplied.

Born two months early only to then be struck down with a rare disease, twins Tilly and Mabel had a “traumatic” entry into the world. Picture: Supplied.

The twins finally made it back to their Sydenham home just a few days before their original “due date” of April 22 – and while they both remain on medication, they’re doing great.

Now, eight months on, the family of five – including dad Anders and the twins’ older sister Olive, 2 – are taking on Sydney’s Walk for Prems along the bay of Parramatta River on Sunday morning.

“The walk gives us a chance to celebrate the now healthy lives of our babies and where they have got to,” Mrs Huxtable said.

“It is such a blessing to be able to be involved, raise awareness and be around a community which has the same passion and drive for the event.”

Now in its 15th year, Walk for Prems will be held in nine locations across Australia during October to raise vital funds and awareness for the 48,000 babies born premature or sick across the country each year.

Details walkforprems.org.au

Originally published as Sydney mum Jorgia Huxtable celebrates after a terrifying ordeal with her premmie twins, Tilly and Mabel