The lifelong bond between transplant physician and transplant recipient
(L-R) Husband Errol, Transplant Physician Dr Michael Musk and Taryn Trepp at her wedding.
Despite 14 years passing since Taryn Trepp received her triple transplant, her Transplant Physician Dr Michael Musk recalls the night of her surgery vividly.
"Taryn was so unwell, and in our Critical Care Unit, so she didn't get a call or a page when her transplant became available," Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) Head of Respiratory Dr Michael Musk said.
"It literally came with hours to spare.
"She's one of the bravest people I've ever met – all that trauma at a young age really didn't faze her which was phenomenal."
Born with familial pulmonary hypertension, which causes breathlessness and can lead to heart failure, Taryn sadly lost both her mother and grandmother to the same condition.
"I was four when my Mum passed away and the fact that I had the same genetic disorder was definitely playing in the back of my mind."
Having only just celebrated her 17th birthday, Taryn spent almost nine hours in theatre as surgeons worked to put in her new heart and lungs. She was finally receiving the gift of life she so desperately needed.
"I remember saying to my dad – 'I can breathe'," Taryn said.
"It was honestly the happiest moment of my life. Me, my dad and my brother all just broke down crying, we were all just so happy."
In 2021, Michael was among the guests at Taryn's wedding as she walked down the aisle to marry her husband Errol.
"Post transplant it's been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to watch Taryn take the world on – she's come so far since that fateful night in theatre."
Now at the age of 31, Taryn has spent the past four years working as an advanced skilled enrolled nurse.
"I really wanted to give back after all the support I received in hospital. I can also honestly relate and empathise with my patients who are anxious about surgery."
Recently our state cardiac and lung transplant service, based at FSH, celebrated 30 years of heart and 20 years of lung transplantation.
To mark the significant milestone, FSH hosted the WA Thoracic Organ Transplant Symposium providing an opportunity for experts in the field, including some of our own, to come together and share cutting-edge learnings on the future of transplantation.
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