Docs say formerly conjoined twins recovering well

[November 25, 2009]  MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Formerly conjoined twin sisters Trishna and Krishna are enjoying a favorite DVD and trying new foods as they continue their recovery from marathon separation surgery, doctors said.

Royal Children's Hospital chief of surgery Leo Donnan said Tuesday that Trishna is now sampling bread and fruit for the first time in her life, as she previously got her nutrition from her sister. The twins turn 3 next month.

Krishna is happily watching DVDs of "The Wiggles," famous Australian children's performers, as the twins for the first time lie in separate beds and can see each other.

"The exciting thing is they're now starting to play," Donnan told reporters, saying the girls are now looking at each other and interacting. "They're both still in fantastic shape."

Trishna and Krishna had been joined at the top of their heads and shared brain tissue and blood vessels. They were separated last Tuesday and left intensive care on Monday. They are in stable condition.

Donnan said he was amazed at the girls' improvement.

"It just shows you the amazing sort of changes that have happened with the girls in this very short time," he said.

An aid worker first saw Trishna and Krishna in an orphanage in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, when they were a month old. The aid worker contacted the Children First Foundation, which brought the girls to Australia for the operation.

Their mother, Lovely Mollick, 23, handed over her girls to an orphanage because she and her husband were unable to care for their special needs.

She told The Associated Press this week that she hoped the girls would grow up in Australia.

"My babies are alive and doing well. It's the best news I've ever got in my life," the tearful mother said after the operation.

The Children First Foundation has said it will support the twins as they undergo further medical treatment in Australia for at least the next two years.

[Associated Press]

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