Second Time Round - Let's Go!
Hi everyone,
After our team's success last year in raising over $20,000 for Red Nose Australia (under our team name of Austin’s Guardian Angel), we've decided to do it again for a second year! This year we’ve called ourselves “Teddy’s Tribe” and we are also proud to be Red Nose Australia ambassadors this time round!
We are doing this in honour of all little lives lost too soon, but especially in honour of our dearly missed and much loved son - Teddy Charles Tlais who was born sleeping in 2024.
For those who still don't know our story - Teddy was born sleeping alongside his identical twin brother Austin - who is here with us today. After years of infertility, we found out in early 2024 that we were expecting identical twins! We were overjoyed, however it wasn't long until things in the pregnancy took a turn for the worse. In the first trimester there was a clot that had formed alongside the boys sacks that was threatening the pregnancy, and bed rest and light duties was ordered until it healed. By the second trimester, we were in the clear - until a scan at 16 weeks changed our joy to worry once again. Our boys were diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), a fatal condition for the boys if left untreated - however, with treatment there was a chance either one or both would be saved. The first fetoscopic laser surgery was performed at 17 weeks which was not successful and Austin's sack also ruptured making the situation even more dire (PPROM). Bed rest was again ordered and minimal movement. During this time we were also told sepsis could occur and/or early labour due to PRROM. Despite this, our boys held on and fought - but by 20 weeks, we were told there was nothing that could be done, the surgery hadn’t reversed the condition and our boys health had rapidly deteriorated. With all avenues in Sydney exhausted, as last resort we rushed up to Brisbane to meet with another specialist team who took our case onboard. After several weeks of close monitoring and neither of the boys getting better, a second fetoscopic laser surgery was performed at 22 weeks. We were warned that there was every chance the boys might not survive the second procedure. However, there was no choice but to intervene as by this stage Teddy was under the 1st percentile and his tiny body was struggling as he was also diagnosed with Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) and Austin had suffered from heart failure and hydrops for nearly 3 months at this stage due to the ongoing TTTS. Delivering the boys early was not an option either, due to how sick in utero they both were.
After the second surgery, strict bed rest was ordered yet again and a wheelchair was used for any outing as Rebecca was not able to walk more than a few steps by this stage for hers and the boys wellbeing.
A week after the second surgery we were hopeful things might start to improve for both boys - however, a follow up scan changed the course of our lives forever.
On Monday 24 June 2024, we went for a routine scan at 23.5 weeks to discover Teddy no longer had a heart beat. It's a moment that will stay with us for the rest of our lives and has forever changed us. At that same scan, we found out Austin was showing signs of improvement. Teddy's passing saved Austin, as Teddy’s passing meant TTTS could no longer be ongoing-which was the cause of all of Austin’s issues in utero. This is why we think of Teddy as Austin's guardian angel ❤️
Somehow, Rebecca found the strength to carry our sons for another 3 months - a miracle in itself, as we were told she would likely deliver very early due to all the stress on her body and the placenta. At 36.5 weeks Rebecca's waters broke and our sons were born.... one alive and one dead on 15th September 2024. The best and worst day of our lives.
Every moment since has been so bittersweet, celebrating one while grieving the other.
We've learnt that grief that comes with the loss of a child never leaves you, there's not a day that goes by where we don't miss our son and wish he was here alongside Austin. So, while we can't bring Teddy back - we can at least try to honour his little life through fundraising to help other families just like ours receive support from Red Nose Australia.
Please help us reach our goal by donating and also sharing the link to our page.
Wish us luck!
Karim Tlais & Rebecca Noun-Tlais ~ Teddy’s Tribe
