Mata twins turn 1 at Disney’s “Frozen” themed birthday party

April 14, 2015

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Surrounded by Disney’s “Frozen themed party decorations and pink and purple birthday hats, Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata reached a monumental milestone April 11 when they turned 1 year old.

The girls’ birthday fell almost a month after their successful separation surgery, during which a team of highly-specialized surgeons worked in shifts for more than 24 hours to make the girls two.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year,” said Elysse Mata, the twins’ mother. “It’s gone by so fast.”

Knatalye and Adeline were born at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women on April 11, 2014 via Caesarean-section at 31 weeks gestation after weeks of extensive prenatal imaging, multidisciplinary consultation and planning at Texas Children’s Fetal Center. The babies each weighed 3 pounds, 7 ounces. Surgeons allowed the girls to grow and gain strength for 10 months before undertaking the difficult task of separating them. Since then, the twins have been progressing well as two separate little girls.

On April 8, Adeline underwent surgery to place a tracheostomy to aid in her breathing and lung development. The surgery also included removing the metal rods placed in her pelvis during the initial separation surgery, removing some shunts in her bladder and also placing a gastrostomy button, a special tube which helps to deliver food and medicines until a child can chew and swallow. Adeline remains in the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and continues to receive daily physical and occupational therapy.

On April 13, Knatalye underwent surgery to remove the rods in her pelvis and also to add a gastrostomy button for her feedings. She is currently on room air (no breathing assistance) and recovering from surgery in the PICU. She will resume daily physical and occupational therapy once fully recovered.

“The progress both of the girls have made has been amazing,” said Dr. Darrell Cass, lead surgeon and co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center. “I wouldn’t be surprised if both of them are going home within the next few months.”

Cass was one of several people who stopped by a celebration held by Elysse Mata on April 9 at the hospital to honor all of the Texas Children’s staff involved in the girls’ care over the past year.

In between bites of birthday cake, Warren Boudreau, the surgical business analyst who helped prepare the operating room for the twins’ separation surgery, said he stopped by the party because he wanted to meet Elysse and tell her how proud he was to be part of something so unique and interesting.

“It was an experience I will never forget,” Boudreau said. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Alvin Perkins, the supply chain manager for the operating room during the separation surgery, said he came by the party for similar reasons.

“I wanted to tell the mother that it was a pleasure having her girls in my operating room,” Perkins said. “Every kid who comes in here is my kid and these girls are no exception.”

Chief of Pediatric Gynecology Dr. Jennifer Dietrich, one of the surgeons who operated on the girls during their separation, popped in between procedures to wish the girls a happy birthday.

“I wish they could be here,” she told Elysee.

Although the girls could not attend the celebration for their care givers, Knatalye was able to participate in a Disney’s “Frozen” themed birthday party for family and friends.

“It was such a great day,” Elysee Mata posted on her Facebook page. “We had a great turn out and the girls received lots of gifts, love and hugs! Thank you to everyone who came to the party, sent birthday wishes, and prayers and support. We are extremely grateful! Looking forward to celebrating many more!”