Video: Conjoined twins will remain together

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SEATTLE - Surgeons tried to separate conjoined twins from Shelton. It was just the third time doctors have tried to separate twins joined at the torso.

Erica Carlson had expected to take two babies home from Children's Hospital in Seattle, but 13 hours into the intricate operation to separate them, surgeons decided the risks were too great.

"When we found that we couldn't really safely separate the intestine, we decided, based on mom's wishes, the best thing was to back out," said Dr. John Waldhausen, Children's Hospital.

Erica even had photos taken so she could remember what the twins looked like "before," but she's not disappointed.

"I was actually going to be OK with it either way as long as they both came out of it OK," she said.

They girls each have their own spine, they have two legs and they share a lower torso.

Lorelai is the laid-back one, Rachel is smaller and the feisy one. That's common in conjoined twins.

"One child will eat a lot and the other child seems to gain all the weight and grow," said Dr. Waldhausen.

That's one thing that concerns Dr. John Waldhausen. Single mom Erica says she just has to take one day at a time, but she does have a plan for the girls to deal with all the future unwanted attention.

"I'm going to give the girls their own cameras so they stop and stare and take pictures of the people who stop and stare and take pictures," she said

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Rachel and Lorelai

Rachel and Lorelai have an older sister Katrina who has cerebral palsy, so Erica knows the challenges are just beginning. But she vows to stay positive.

"They are going to have such an amazing life and I am so grateful that I get to be part of that," she said.

The children are expected to go home soon.

This family faces costly medical bills. If you'd like to help, you can donate to the Rachel and Lorelai Carlson Fund at any Bank of America branch.