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New York City, NY (August 8, 2004) – Carl and Clarence Aguirre continue to rest and recover in their own beds at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM), now four days after delicate and complicated brain surgery successfully separated them.
"We are keeping the boys sedated and on ventilators at this point really just to protect the surgical sites," said David Staffenberg, MD. "Carl and Clarence are showing every sign that if we let them wake up, they would be right back to their rambunctious selves."
"They are opening their eyes and moving all of their arms and legs," said Dr. Staffenberg. "Everything we're seeing so far is positive. Carl and Clarence continue to exceed our expectations in this post-op period."
While their vital signs are strong and stable, the boys remain at high risk for complications from their 17-hour surgery.
"We're watching closely for signs of infection or swelling and we're prepared to do whatever is needed to minimize any impact on the boys," said Dr. Staffenberg. "We are watching Carl particularly closely to see how well he is able to handle his cerebral spinal fluid. If he needs a little help reabsorbing it, we're ready to deal with it."
At noon when Carl was being taken for a routine CT scan, the boys' mother Arlene observed that "it was the first time he's ever left his brother alone."
Arlene was able to see Carl without his bandages for the first time yesterday. Dr. Staffenberg changed both boys' bandages today and for the first time Arlene and the boys' grandmother, Evelyn, saw Clarence without his bandages. "Now I have seen that Clarence is just as handsome as his brother Carl," Arlene said.
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