Family of formerly conjoined twins say they’re ‘doing great’ 1 year after surgery
It has been one year since formerly conjoined twins AmieLynn and JamieLynn Finley underwent a life-changing separation surgery. Today, the sisters are enjoying a typical toddler life, filled with walking, talking, and playing, much to the delight of their parents. “I don’t know how to describe it,” their father, James Finley, shared with WFAA, a Dallas ABC affiliate station. Born in October 2022, the Finley twins entered the world with their bodies fused at the chest and shared a liver. In January 2023, they underwent a complex and
risky separation surgery at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The procedure lasted 11 hours and involved more than 50 medical professionals. “Every conjoined twin has a unique anatomy. They’re all different,” explained Dr. Jose Iglesias, the medical director of pediatric surgery at Cook Children’s. Throughout this challenging journey, the Finley family remained hopeful. “I just stayed faithful through everything, the whole time,” said James Finley. Both girls are now healthy and at home, although
AmieLynn faced some initial health issues. Her heart was positioned over her windpipe and is located on the right side of her chest instead of the left. Fortunately, her heart is functioning well now, and both girls are thriving.
The twins’ older brother, James Finley Jr., is optimistic about their future. “They might even learn how to drive cars when they’re 18 … and she is already training,” he joked. James Finley noted the distinct personalities of his daughters, describing AmieLynn as a “kind, gentle soul,” and JamieLynn as his “little firecracker.” Despite their differences, he hopes they will remain close. “I just hope they stick together, stay close, be sisters. I always tell them that,” he said.
