EDMONTON, Alta. — A southeast Saskatchewan couple says their newborn twin sons are receiving excellent care, and the family has had plenty of support after the boys were born several weeks premature.
Aaron and Meg Gwilliam's boys, Alex and Brian, were born Oct. 1 in Edmonton, 33 weeks into the pregnancy. Aaron Gwilliam noted an anomaly was found in Alex's heart in the summer, so they were sent to Regina, where they stayed for a month, followed by eight days at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital in Saskatoon.
When Brian's umbilical cord became restricted, the family was sent to the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton on Sept. 30 for an emergency C-section. Brian and Alex were born the following day. The Stollery was the only place that could deal with the heart issues at that stage, Aaron said.
The family remains in Edmonton. They aren't sure how much longer they will be there, Gwilliam said, but it will likely be at least two more weeks. One of the twins had an operation about a week ago, he said, while the other would rather sleep all day than wake up to eat.
"They're doing really well for their circumstance. It's just a lot of work for them and it's been a lot of work for us, too," said Gwilliam, noting they also have a two-year-old daughter, Sophia, who will meet her baby brothers when the time is right.
Everyone at the Stollery knows what they are doing, and there haven't been any issues with the level of care, Gwilliam said. The family has been staying at Ronald McDonald House.
A lot of people have stepped forward with support during this trying time.
A GoFundMe campaign is underway for the couple. As of the morning of Nov. 6, it had raised $3,992 of its $6,500 goal. The money raised will help offset costs the couple faces while away from their southeast Saskatchewan home. Aaron noted he has been out of work for the past three months.
"Anybody that shares is very well thanked. We enjoy everybody's support, whether it's wishing us well or helping out," he said.
Click here to support the campaign.
