Miracle twin finally joins her sister at home

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

As Makenna and Madilynn Eggers grow up, their parents will have plenty of stories to share about the journey the twins have been on, beginning well before birth.

But one of the happiest days of that journey will always be Thursday, March 19, 2026. That’s the day the 8-month-old girls went home together for the first time.

Derek and Shelby Eggers couldn’t believe the day had finally come when their little family, which also includes big brother Wyatt, would finally be together in their Columbus home.

Madilynn had a headstart on her sister. The girls were born July 21, 2025, in the Riley Hospital Maternity Tower at 27 weeks’ gestation. Both went to the NICU to continue growing, and Madilynn was discharged home Nov. 2.

Things were harder for Makenna. From the time the twins were conceived, Makenna struggled to keep up.

“When we found out we were having twins, we learned she was a lot smaller than her sister,” Shelby Eggers said. “We were referred to Riley (Maternal Fetal Medicine team), and I started going there weekly for ultrasounds.”

Doctors diagnosed Makenna with selective growth restriction due to unequal placenta sharing. They feared she would not survive. She was so small at first that they could not detect a heartbeat.

But Makenna is nothing if not a fighter, said her mom, who was admitted to Riley five weeks to the day before doctors eventually delivered both girls via C-section.

Madilynn weighed an even 2 pounds at birth. Her sister was half her size at 1.03 pounds.

“She’s our miracle baby,” Shelby said, as she and her husband fussed over both girls shortly before Makenna was discharged.

For a short time after birth, the girls were able to stay in adjoining rooms in the Maternity Tower NICU, but when Makenna needed surgery, she was moved to the NICU in Simon Family Tower, where she remained throughout her stay, with the exception of time spent on the CVICU.

In addition to her tiny size, Makenna was born with a congenital heart defect (bicuspid valve and coarctation of the aorta), so she needed heart surgery, but doctors had to wait until she was big enough.

Meanwhile, she needed another surgery, performed by Dr. Troy Markel, for an obstruction in her belly, followed by an additional surgery a couple weeks later, then her heart surgery with Dr. Jeremy Herrmann. In all, Makenna underwent seven surgeries.

“It’s crazy to think she had seven surgeries before she was even eight months old,” Shelby said.

For the past several months, Derek and Shelby have divided their time between Riley and home, trying to work and care for their toddler son and one twin, while they came up on weekends to spend time with Makenna.

Sometimes they were able to bring Madilynn up so she could spend time with her twin. When together, the girls look wide-eyed at each other, often linking their little fingers, while Madilynn squeals loudly next to her sister.

Today, Madilynn, who has an NG tube for feeds, weighs nearly 15 pounds, while Makenna, who is going home with a G-tube and supplementary oxygen, has nearly caught up, reaching 14 pounds.

Both girls wear little helmets on their heads to protect against “flat head syndrome” due to lying on their backs for long stretches of time. At home, they will share a nursery with two cribs.

The past year has been challenging to say the least, the Eggers say, but they have relied on prayer, their support system at home, and their team at Riley.

“Going through the pregnancy and all the struggles we faced, we wanted to share our story. We’re here to be supportive of other families,” Shelby said.

“Even though there’s always that doubt and that fear of the unknown, especially when all the odds were against us, Makenna is just a fighter. We wanted to shine a light not only on our story but also all the great people who work at Riley. Our girls would not be here without them.”

Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org