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American Morning
Interview With Lark Turner, Tiesha Turner, Iesha Turner
Aired August 08, 2002 - 07:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: They are not out of the woods yet, but doctors in California expect the Guatemalan twins, the miracle Marias, to make a full recovery. It will be a rare achievement, but they will not be alone on that fact.
Tiesha Turner and her sister, Iesha, were also born as conjoined twins. They were separated when they were only 14 months old, and that was 10 years ago.
Here is some videotape of the girls celebrating their sixth birthday. Today, they are 11, and they are joining us this morning to talk about life after separation.
Tiesha Turner, raise your hand. Tiesha, which one is you? All right. And her twin sister, Iesha, in Beaumont, Texas, along with their grandmother this morning, Lark Turner.
Good to see all you guys -- good morning.
LARK TURNER, TWINS' GRANDMOTHER: Good morning.
TIESHA TURNER, SEPARATED TWIN: Good morning.
IESHA TURNER, SEPARATED TWIN: Good morning.
HEMMER: Hey, Lark, take us back to about 10 years. How difficult was it for you to make this decision to go forward with the surgery?
L. TURNER: Very difficult. There is no easy yes and no answer. But we had a lot of support and a lot of -- from the people at Texas Children's Hospital, the doctors, the staff, they worked with us on a month-to-month basis. So that helped out a whole lot.
HEMMER: Yes. Just look at...
L. TURNER: It wasn't...
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: Look at those girls. They are sitting next to you and beaming and happy and healthy, and it just looks like a living miracle. Do you see it that way or not?
L. TURNER: I really do. We are so blessed, and I call them miracles every day.
HEMMER: Yes. Now, Iesha, sitting to your right, went back in the hospital for 14 months after she was separated. Was there a time when you thought you might lose her?
L. TURNER: There was a time when we thought we might lose both of them. Tiesha had respiratory problems, and so she had -- and a lung problem, so every time she would even wake up, she would go into respiratory distress. So there was a lot of scary moments.
HEMMER: What do you think with Maria Teresa going back into surgery earlier this week at UCLA? I'm curious to know your thoughts or you feelings, as we you listening from Texas about this story happening in California.
L. TURNER: Well, ever since my girls went through this, we have such a connection to all twins, and we keep a close contact on that. And our prayers have really been going out, because I know what an intense moment it can be and how hard it can be not knowing and the uncertainty. But we were praying with them and for them.
HEMMER: You certainly have a bond with the others.
Hey, Iesha, tell me this. Do you play sports?
I. TURNER: Yes.
HEMMER: Yes, what kind?
I. TURNER: Basketball.
HEMMER: Basketball.
What about Tiesha, do you play basketball too?
T. TURNER: Sometimes.
HEMMER: Yes. Do you guys play against each other? And if so, who wins?
I. TURNER: Me.
T. TURNER: Me.
L. TURNER: That's a typical answer.
HEMMER: Is that the way it goes?
T. TURNER: Yes.
HEMMER: Yes. I understand you guys also like some movies. Tiesha, what kind of movies do you like to go see?
T. TURNER: Funny movies.
HEMMER: Yes. Would you say that Iesha is your best friend? Wow, now I know why they are sitting in separate chairs.
Hey, listen, Lark...
L. TURNER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HEMMER: Yes. Would the common person ever know that these two girls were separated at the chest and the abdomen at a younger age?
L. TURNER: No. Not unless -- it's only a few signs. They have the chest area, which has -- you know, makes people notice and ask questions. But otherwise, if they wouldn't look real closely and just see them running around together, they wouldn't be able to tell.
HEMMER: Wow! Do they still have regular doctor appointments because...
L. TURNER: Yes, they do.
HEMMER: They do. And what sort of treatment do they still take on by doctors?
L. TURNER: Well, they just have a regular checkup. They have a cardiologist, and he checks on them. And they have a plastic surgeon, because they do have one more surgery in the future, which is just a chest reconstruction.
HEMMER: And how dangerous or delicate could that be?
L. TURNER: That could be, but not as dangerous as the separation.
HEMMER: Yes, it's so true.
L. TURNER: And we don't look for any problems, because there was not much damage in that area during the separation.
HEMMER: OK. Well, listen, best of...
L. TURNER: So we are very optimistic.
HEMMER: Yes, good deal. What are you guys going to do today, Tiesha, Iesha? Are you guys going to go out and play, or what's happening there in Texas? About 150 degrees right now, isn't it?
T. TURNER: Yes.
HEMMER: I don't think I'm going to get much more than that. Thanks, guys -- best of luck, OK? Lark, thank you for taking the time with us...
L. TURNER: Thank you, and our love and prayers to the family.
HEMMER: All right, sweet, and make sure those girls stay competitive, because they are today. We'll talk again, possibly...
L. TURNER: I don't think we have a problem with that. HEMMER: OK, you got it. Have a great day. See you guys.
L. TURNER: You too.
HEMMER: See you, Tiesha, Iesha, have a good day.
L. TURNER: Bye-bye.
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