Amari and Javar Ruffin were born on September 29, 2023 conjoined at the lowest part of their sternum, diaphragm, abdominal wall and liver. Their mom, Shaneka Ruffin, said she was 12 weeks pregnant when she learned she was carrying twins.
“[The doctor] saw another heartbeat and she said, ‘Oh, it’s two babies,’ “ she told PEOPLE.
Further tests revealed to Shaneka and her husband Timothy that the twins were conjoined. The couple met with specialists at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who determined that separation was possible. Once doctors had a plan, the babies spent ten months in the hospital preparing for their surgery.
“When we first heard the news, it was terrible to be honest with you, but then when I decided to keep my head up and stay positive and then to go through all this, it’s an amazing feeling, so all my tears just poured out,” dad Timothy Ruffin told Philadelphia’s FOX affiliate.
Nearly a year later, on August 21, 2024, the twins endured an eight-hour separation surgery during which their team of surgeons closed and rebuilt their abdomens using “layers of mesh and plastic surgery techniques” to stabilize them, according to the hospital’s website. Amari and Javar’s surgery was the hospital’s 32nd conjoined twins separation since 1957.
“When they came out of surgery, that’s when I broke down in tears because of the journey and I felt relieved,” Shaneka told PEOPLE.
On October 8, Amari and Javar finally went home, where they joined their parents and older siblings, Kaylum and Anora. The twins’ parents are relieved their boys are finally home and say they look forward to spending quality time with all four of their children together.
“Seeing them each in their own beds was an indescribable feeling,” Shaneka said. “It feels like we are beginning a new journey as a family of six. We are so grateful to CHOP for helping make this day possible and letting us start this next chapter.”