Health scare forces conjoined twins to seek surgery abroad

Leaning on a wall for support in her Payneland, St Andrew, community, Iesha McMurray burst into tears when she spoke about her conjoined twins Azora and Azaria Elson.

The twins, who are now 10 months old, may have to travel overseas for life-saving separation surgery. Originally scheduled for this month at the University Hospital of the West Indies, the operation's location has been shifted due to Azora's deteriorating heart condition. As they wait anxiously for a response of acceptance from a US-based hospital, McMurray is reaching out to the public for financial assistance.

"It is literally an emergency so I am asking everyone who can assist us to do so please. Much is a lot when God is in the vessel so for everyone who is seeing or reading this, I am begging help please. If is even to share the post," she said between tears. She was later joined by the children's father Odane Elson, who said he is overwhelmed.

"From dem born until now it's like mi lost because I don't know what's happening. My daughters are at the hospital and can't be home with us. Anyone who can help out, just please do. I have called hospitals overseas and who say them can help a tell mi US$4 million. I don't know where to start and I keep wondering what is going to be the outcome of this," he said.

The girls were born on November 7, 2023 via C-Section, at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) in Kingston. The twins are joined at the abdomen and share some abdominal skin, parts of their gastrointestinal tract, and an umbilical cord.

"I knew there were conjoined from I was about six months thereabouts, and I fell in love with them then. I became attached to them and I don't know what I would do without them. They are a part of me," McMurray said.

Azora and Azaria have been hospitalised since birth and as a result, McMurray who also has two other children, has to travel daily to visit them.

"I was hoping that the doctors would send them home with me until it was time to do the surgery, but that's not the case. I always tell myself that if they are well enough to be on ward, then they can go home. They are at the hospital from birth until now and remember I have two other kids that go to school. It is hackling and stressing for me. I do hair for a living but I can't get to do the amount of hair that I used to. From November until now mi nuh rest because mi always on the go," she said.

"Right now mi stressed because I am wondering when all of this is going to be over. I can't wait for the day when they are separated and can live their own individual lives. I know they are going to be good after surgery and I am gonna come home with the two of them, but it a take long and mi really stressed," she added.

Despite the gloom, her face lit up as she spoke about the twins' personalities. She said they are quite opposite, adding that Azora is extremely inquisitive.

"Azaria was the fighter but Azora is the livelier one now, although she is sick. Looking at her, you wouldn't know that she is sick. She literally turn and go on top of her sister every day. She always get up and look around and nothing nuh miss her. She fass bad and if yuh pass, she ago broke her neck a look while her sister lay down a relax. She like s to eat but she is the littler one. When them see mi, a pure excitement and dem nuh bother want the nurse feed dem. Dem rail up when them see mi and laugh," she said.

Persons wishing to assist the Azora and Azaria Elson may donate to JN Bank account #2094737638 in the name of Iesha McMurray.