Carla Trulson-Essenberg

Q: When and what type of organ transplant did you have?

Carla: I had a double lung transplant on Halloween of 2004 for bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas.  I had been on “the list” for only 5 days.

Q: What attracted you to UWMC Team Transplant? What’s your favorite part of being on the team?

Carla: Susan Bussell, the dietitian in lung transplant clinic, is how I found out about Team Transplant.  She was a speaker at our Lung Transplant Support Group Meeting in February of ’09 and mentioned Team Transplant and the Rock’N'Roll marathon.  I e-mailed her and asked if people could walk this.  She said yes, referred me to Alysun and the rest is history.

My favorite part of being on the team is meeting such encouraging people and getting to walk in all the many locations we train at–some which I had not been to before.

Q: Were you active before your transplant?

Carla: I have not been very active due to a life-long history of lung problems.  I could not even walk to the mailbox (with oxygen) before my surgery.

Q: What roles have nutrition and exercise played in your post-transplant recovery?

Carla: It has been such a delight to be able to do things I could only dream of before. I love to walk and generally will walk 4-5 miles a day in the “nice weather” months.

Alas, I have put on 40 pounds since surgery even with keeping a journal and really being consciencious about what I eat.  My meds (including Prednisone) have really affected my weight.

Q: Can you describe the process of getting into shape after your surgery?

Carla: I had a difficult recovery but after three months I began to thrive and experienced such joy at being able to breathe and exercise without problems. I gradually worked up to walking 4-5 miles a day. I go to the gym 4 times a week for weights and treadmill work and my goal is to be fit.

Q: What does it mean for you to be able to complete a half marathon after your transplant? What are your future goals for training?

Carla: It was very important for me to do this marathon because it was a challenge (I like challenges) and something I could NOT have done at any point in my life prior to transplant.  I injured my spring ligament in my left foot about 3 weeks before the race (on the Galer St hill) and was concerned I may not be able to compete.  But with PT and taping, I did not feel it would be a problem for the race but held off doing any hills until the half-marathon.  About mile 10 I reinjured it and had to slow up a bit.  After I crossed the finish line and found my husband Dave, I just broke down in tears because the enormity of what I had just done really hit me.

My future goals for training are to begin doing intervals on the treadmill again after this re-injury heals. Then I’d like to start training with the Team (my husband wants to join too) and stay in shape.  I’ve not decided about the Seattle Marathon yet but definitely want to train as if I am. I’ll be the first to admit I do not like to walk in inclement weather!

Q: Do you have any training tips you’d like to share?

Carla: Team Transplant “Fourteen Half-Marathon Ron” (Heart transplant recipient, Ron Adkins) told me to start out slow which seems to be wise advice. It is also helpful to walk near someone who is a bit faster than you to help motivate you–in my case this person was Vanessa, one of the liver transplant recipients on the team.  I found that the adrenaline rush of being in the Rock’N'Roll half-marathon really helps you to increase and maintain your pace.

Q: What attracted you to Team Transplant? What’s your favorite part of being on the team?
Q: What roles have nutrition and exercise played in your post-transplant recovery?

Q: What does it mean for you to be able to complete a half marathon after your transplant? What are your future goals for training?

Q: Do you have any training tips you’d like to share?
Q: How active were you before your transplant?
Q: When and what type of organ transplant did you have? Can you tell us about the process?