Faith, miracles abound for 'the Marys'
When they were born in late April, they were smaller than she is, 1 pound 7 ounces and 1 pound 5 ounces respectively.
Their parents, Bo and Stacy Govea, show pictures of the girls next to the doll, an explanation-in-pictures of their progress. That they've outgrown the iconic toy is just one in a series of miracles, say the Goveas, of Overland Park, Kan.
The family has survived two premature births, a wearying sojourn in a strange town, long absences from work and the challenge of raising children from several states away. Now they're trying to figure out how to unite their family in one state and do it soon. They're exhausted and homesick.
"I'm planning a breakout," laughs Bo Govea, but he's not really kidding. He's desperate to go home — a feeling understood by any family forced far afield by a medical emergency.
When Stacy was 19 weeks along, doctors discovered the babies had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a potentially lethal condition caused when the fluid between identical twins with a shared placenta becomes unbalanced. Ellen had too much, Elizabeth too little, putting both lives in peril from risks like anemia, kidney failure, heart failure or stroke.
Dr. Robert Ball and Dr. Michael Belfort at St. Mark's are the only specialists in the region who offer laser treatment for TTTS.
The Goveas' trip was to be quick, and they packed light. Fly in, have the procedure, rest overnight and fly home. They left their three other children home with grandparents and a "see you tomorrow." But preparing for the laser procedure, surgeon Ball found a greater fluid imbalance than expected, making the procedure even more risky. They discussed options, including perhaps putting efforts into saving just one of the Marys.
Stacy and Bo — devout Catholics who will call their daughters by their middle names but named both after the Virgin Mary — decided they'd ask for a miracle.
After the surgery, they waited, hoping they'd hear two heartbeats. They did. But fluid was also leaking, Ball says, and Stacy was hospitalized. The babies at that point were too small to survive birth.
They managed to fend off the births another three weeks.
The Marys were so small the Barbie dwarfed them in length. Bo's wedding ring slid up a tiny arm to the shoulder. And they had complications. Because she'd had little amniotic fluid, Elizabeth's bladder and kidneys weren't working. Doctors said she was unlikely to survive.
Recent comments
Thank you again St. Mark's and Utah from the Kansas/Missouri friends…
Friend of the Govea | Aug. 14, 2008 at 12:32 p.m.
We are so sad to see you leave St. Mark's, but know that it is a…
Allie, Jared, and Zack | Aug. 14, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
Wish we could have been there in Salt Lake to see the beautiful city…
Brady's | Aug. 14, 2008 at 6:57 a.m.
