The ‘Graduation’ ceremony at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was attended by twins who were born at 22 weeks and weighed less than one pound each…

The youngest surviving preterm twins were born at the Cleveland Clinic, and after more than four months, they have graduated from the clinic and are finally home.

According to a press statement issued by the hospital, Kimyah weighed 12 ounces and DJ weighed 15 ounces when they were delivered at 22 weeks gestation. At the time, the newborns had a 10% to 20% chance of surviving, and there was a possibility, but no certainty, that they would have developmental problems.

Another terrifying situation presented itself to their mother, Kimberly Thomas. According to the hospital, she became aware that something was amiss when she began leaking amniotic fluid before to the delivery of her children. This fluid serves to cushion and shield the embryo while it is developing within the uterus.

When she finally made it to the hospital, she was already four centimeters into her labor when she arrived there.

Following the birth in October 2022, both Little DJ and Kimyah had to be intubated and given resuscitation attempts. The NICU was thus a hasty destination for the twins.

Kimyah’s mother, Kimberly Thomas, recalled thinking that her daughter was “too small” while she was being rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

According to the press announcement issued by the medical center, “Kimyah was approximately the size of a soda can, and DJ was slightly larger.” The nurses were even able to cradle both of them in the palm of their palms at the same time.

According to the hospital, Dr. Firas Saker, who serves as the medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, said that the mother expressed a desire for the medical staff to “do everything we could for her twins.”

The father of the children, Damante Jackson, said with Good Morning America that the medical staff had warned them that even if the twins managed to pull through, it was unlikely that they would “make it the first three days.Even though DJ and Kimya don’t remember it, he said, “it was difficult for them.”

According to what the hospital said, Thomas remained in the NICU throughout each night after they were born. Due to the fragility of their skin, she was unable to even hold them for the first month after they were born.

“I would then go into the NICU just to talk to my babies,” she added. “That was my routine.” “I don’t believe there was ever a day in which I did not spend at least some time with them,” she said.

Saker expressed his belief that Kim’s participation was significant to their growth and helped them “overcome their obstacles.”

Thomas said that their time spent in the NICU was full of many highs and lows, such as when DJ and Kimyah both had a lung collapse and a slight brain hemorrhage respectively.

Despite this, everyone in the family had a positive attitude and celebrated each new achievement, from Thanksgiving to baby showers.

After a total of 138 days in the hospital, the newborns were at last prepared to be discharged. Thomas said to GMA that the reason everyone was there was to express their support.

The hospital reported that despite their hospitalization, there were still difficulties that the twins continued to face. Kimyah and DJ “needed to remain on oxygen since their lungs were so underdeveloped,” as said by Thomas. In addition, she was had to monitor the levels of oxygen saturation in their blood.

As part of the ceremony to celebrate their release from the hospital, the newborns were given pink and blue hats and gowns to wear. The workers celebrated and packed the corridors as the patient’s relatives made their way out of the building.

One nurse stated that she had doubts “that we would see that day,” which made the experience even more “incredible.” Saker told GMA that it was a “emotional” time for the employees of the hospital, and he said that it was a “emotional” moment for the staff as well.

According to the hospital, it will be years before doctors will be able to determine whether or not the twins will have any developmental impairments. The doctor has reported that the infants are doing well and are now being watched.

Now that Kimyah and DJ are getting close to their first birthday, their mother has reported to the hospital that the twins are “trying to do everything by themselves.”

“Kimyah and DJ are very active and love exploring,” their mother added, saying that their experience taught her an extremely vital lesson: “You have to stay positive and focus on the outcome you want.”