I am the mother of 34 yr old twin daughters, Anna Marie and Amy Beth. Their story is unusual because we were told at their birth that they were fraternal twins.

The doctor told us there was one placenta but they were in separate sacks. Anna was hospitalized for five weeks, because she was "failing to thrive."

Finally at the third hospital they found that she only had one kidney, and that one did not work at full capacity. With medication she quickly began to gain weight and was healthy as a child, just a little smaller than her twin sister.

People always remarked at how much they looked alike, although they were fraternal twins. By the age of 18, Anna was in need of a kidney transplant. The whole family was given a blood work-up and Amy was the best match. As soon as Amy's kidney was put into Anna's body, we were told that the kidney function was as though it were put back in the same body.

Anna was given a minimum amount of anti-rejection drugs for one year, and then weaned off them. Her health has been great and so has Amy's. Anna has given birth to two children and Amy to one, with no complications due to their having one healthy kidney each.

Miraculously, there is now no doubt that they are identical twins! We are so blessed!

Pamela Butler

Nashville, Tennessee