The mum of Carnoustie twins Ayley and Chloe Hirsch says their overnight operation in Missouri has gone “very well”.
Using the family’s Facebook page (link) to update hundreds of anxious friends back home, Averil Hirsch posted a message this morning saying: “Fantastic! Both our girls’ operations went very well and they are both now in intensive care resting.”
She said they were “very sedated” but were “resting very nicely”.
The news has sparked scores of comments from well-wishers. Alistair Grant summed up many people’s thoughts when he said: “Super news to wake up to, nice cold sunny day here in Carnoustie. Can’t wait for you all to be home.”
Libby Devaney added: “Fantastic news. You must be so relieved to have it all over. Love and huge hugs to you all.”
The operation, carried out by surgeon Dr TS Park, involved cutting damaged nerves cut from the girls’ spines. The operation, selective dorsal rhizotomy, has been carried out in St Louis Children’s Hospital for 20 years.
The twins made it to Missouri after parents Averil and Frazer’s campaign to raise £80,000 to pay for the treatment was embraced by the community and went on to raise more than £175,000.
The Hirsch family jetted out on Friday for the operation and Dr Park is predicting Ayley could be walking before they get home.
Averil said she was nervous but excited as Ayley and Chloe prepared for the surgery. Ahead of the operation, she said: “What an amazing day. We met Dr Park. He is an amazing, lovely guy and he told us he had been to Carnoustie before playing golf, so we chatted about that for a bit.”
She added: ”Well, he was very impressed with both the girls and he has said Ayley will walk properly and run and jump probably before we even get home and for Chloe he says she will walk with a frame and progress to walking with a crutch and so on.
”The hospital is fantastic and so very welcoming. I am so nervous but very excited as they are in the safest hands possible.”
In November 2010 Dr Park, worked on another toddler, Jack McNaughton from Almondbank. His life has been transformed.
Dr Park eliminated the pain and spasticity in Jack’s body, making him more mobile and able to learn to walk.
Averil read about Jack in The Courier and contacted his parents, Stacey and Graham. They were invited to their home to see Jack’s remarkable recovery, which prompted Averil to contact Dr Park.
Averil and Frazer also got married this year, with Ayley and Chloe and big sister Lilly flower girls as their parents tied the knot at the Queen’s Hotel in Dundee.
The twins are expected to remain in intensive care for some time and there will be a further three weeks of treatment before they can come home.
Averil said: ”You have got to put in the work when you come home and that is intense physiotherapy and we are all prepared for that. We have got our personal trainer and physio ready for when we come home so we are ready to go.”
She added: ”Seeing the girls up and running about would be a dream come true.”