Story of Couple Carrying Conjoined Twins Ends Sadly
Released on = April 12, 2006, 11:33 am
Press Release Author = Apex Marketing and Design
Industry = Healthcare
Press Release Summary = Florence residents Van & Tracy Rowell discovered they were pregnant with Omphalopagus conjoined twins in early February of this year. They were referred to The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston where the initial diagnosis just 13 weeks into the pregnancy wasn't very hopeful. Twenty weeks into the pregnancy the couple learned the heartbreaking news...
Press Release Body = FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/12/2006
Story of Couple Carrying Conjoined Twins Ends Sadly
Florence, SC - 4/12/2006 - Florence residents Van & Tracy Rowell discovered they were pregnant with conjoined twins in early February of this year. They were referred to The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston where the initial diagnosis just 13 weeks into the pregnancy wasn\'t very hopeful. The couple decided against termination and opted to hope for the best even though the odds were against a successful delivery and possible separation.
Only 1 birth in every 200,000 is conjoined twins. Of all conjoined twin conceptions, 60% are stillborn and only 1 in 4 survive longer than one day after birth. The Rowell twins were Omphalopagus conjoined twins fused from mid-chest to the abdomen and shared a liver. Each had its own heart but whether or not the twins shared a pericardium (protective sac surrounding the heart) was inconclusive.
Subsequent check-ups were positive as the twins grew equally at a normal rate and some of the earlier diagnosed problems improved such as the strength of one twin\'s heart which had an irregular heartbeat and lower heart rate than the other twin. 70% of conjoined twins are female and once confirmed, the Rowell twins were given the names Faith Anne & Vanna Love Rowell.
News of the conjoined Rowell twins (http://www.rowelltwins.com) quickly spread by word of mouth as the couple reached out to a close group of family, friends and church members who in turn shared the news with others. Just 3 days after sharing the news for the first time, the couple began receiving email, cards and calls from all over the world.
To make it easier for everyone interested to keep up with news of the twins\' progress, the couple created a website and blog to chronicle their challenging journey carrying conjoined twins (http://journal.rowelltwins.com). "We\'ve never experienced such an outpouring of love and prayer. It\'s been humbling to hear of entire churches and Christian schools praying daily for Faith & Vanna and our family. Amazingly, we\'ve had over 20,000 unique visitors to the website since February 6, 2006," commented Van Rowell, father of the twins.
Throughout the pregnancy, the couple remained hopeful and plans were even underway for the twins\' care after delivery. At a scheduled check-up 20 weeks into the pregnancy, the couple learned the heartbreaking news that the twins, Faith and Vanna had passed away. The following day was highly emotional when the stillborn twins were delivered and the couple was given time to say their goodbyes.
The couple\'s sister-in-law, Shannon Wright (http://www.rowelltwins.com/Marathon_Fundraiser.html), announced after learning the twins were conjoined to help the couple offset current and future expenses by asking people to sponsor her as she planned to run in the upcoming Country Music Marathon (http://www.cmmarathon.com/home.html) in Nashville, TN on April 29, 2006. Shannon still plans to run the marathon - along with several others now - in memory of Faith and Vanna and is still seeking donations to help the family with expenses already incurred.
Support from the church community and even strangers who\'ve learned of the story have been inspiring. Tracy Rowell, the twin\'s mother added, "We are so grateful to everyone and even though are hearts are grieving, we feel so blessed to have been given the chance to know Faith and Vanna, even though it was only for 5 months. It\'s amazing to see how Faith and Vanna were able to touch lives all around the world in such a short time."
Contact for more insights into this topic: Van Rowell. Direct line: (843) 629-0629. Email: mail@rowelltwins.com. Other helpful information can be found at: (http://www.rowelltwins.com) and (http://journal.rowelltwins.com).
Web Site = http://www.apexmarketinganddesign.com
Contact Details = Van Rowell 604 Second Loop Rd. Florence , 29505 $$country
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