This is the first story that I shared within the Take Good Care community app, before I even knew how to correctly share a link.

Dr. Trine Engebretsen and Ryan Labbe met online through a liver disease support organization. They both suffered liver disease as children and have defied the odds of survival at every turn.

After Trine's mother's advocacy led to multiple provider opinions with no diagnosis, it was the 13th try that introduced them to a doctor at Boston Children's Hospital who correctly diagnosed Trine with a genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. She soon received a liver transplant at 6 months old when given only 48 hours to live, but the prognosis was still poor. She was expected to live only 6 more months, even with the life-saving medical intervention of a liver transplant.

Ryan was diagnosed with biliary atresia at 6 weeks old and received a procedure that is usually a short-term bridge to a much-needed liver transplant, only his procedure lasted an astounding 27 years, until about the time he met Trine.

Their courtship and love story is one of those inspirational outcomes I've promised would be shared on the Take Good Care Podcast, along with tools and lessons you can apply to your own healthcare journey.

The couple is the only known liver transplant recipient couple to have children. Their story, the lessons in advocacy they have learned, and their commitment to each other and to living life from a positive point of view⏤no matter the obstacles⏤makes this debut patient (and caregiver) story the perfect choice.

On this episode, we'll discuss:

• 0:06: the introduction to Trine’s story
• 5:00: Ryan’s liver disease and chronic illness
• 8:51: the catalyst for Trine to change her career path
• 12:55: statistics and why they do and don't matter
• 14:22: the role attitude plays during a health crisis
• 17:57: why organ transplant is worth the potential complications
• 22:31: the decisions and concerns regarding having children as transplant recipient parents
• 26:18: the impact of building a team of trusted providers
• 30:12: parenting while navigating a high-pressure career as a transplant surgeon
• 31:08: how much the little things in life matter

The podcast is an extension of the Take Good Care community app and the Empathetic Healthcare Practices™ Course. Download the app at the Apple Store or the Google Play Store and learn more about the Course at www.lisa-bradshaw.com.