Carl and Clarence Aguirre, impoverished Filipino twins conjoined at the top of their heads, arrived in New York in 2003, sick and malnourished, and after a series of death-defying operations, emerged late one night on separate gurneys - fragile, sedated and bandaged, but each with his own life.

The tale captivated the public and generated headlines around the globe but almost five years later, the cameras are gone and the Aguirre's are not. The twins need more surgery, and it can only be performed here. Ms. Aguirre is alone, contemplating the uncertainties of the future and struggling to care for her 7 year old boys, who both continue to have medical and developmental issues.