Liver transplant patients maintain health through lifestyle habits

Rhonda Fenske was born with a rare congenital liver disease that affected her entire body and stunted her growth.

“After I was born, my parents were told I wouldn’t live long,” she says.

Thankfully she did and at age 35 received a liver transplant. She will need to take immunosuppressants for the rest of her life. Her exercise, fitness, and healthy food choices also play a big role in her health.

Rhonda learned about the lifestyle fitness program while undergoing physical therapy at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health and Wellness Center in Greene for a post-transplant ankle injury.

“My physical therapist thought I would benefit from being involved,” she says.

She started with a personalized physical assessment and exercise plan developed just for her. She also took advantage of one of her member benefits: periodic reassessment.

“Reassessing has allowed me to create a new exercise plan every six weeks, allowing me to move forward and work toward my fitness goals,” she says.

Eventually, she even decided to hire a personal trainer.

“The two trainers I have worked with over the years have taught me proper form and proper technique,” ​​she says. “We focused on strength and endurance, training core muscles, and improving shoulder range of motion.”

Rhonda said her current trainer, Matt, emphasizes various stretching exercises to reduce inflammation and injury while increasing flexibility.

“My weekly training plan consists of one 30-minute training session with Matt and an additional two to three days of performing weight-bearing exercises based on my exercise prescription sheet,” she says. Masu. “I often walk or run her for 30 to 45 minutes on the track or use the elliptical.”

Rhonda enjoys supplementing her cardio workouts with group exercise classes like Zumba, which combine Latin and international music with instructor-led choreographed dance moves.

“Zumba is my passion,” she says. “Interval training (alternating between fast and slow rhythms) is incorporated to improve cardiovascular health.”

In addition to taking advantage of all of LifeStyles’ fitness products, Rhonda learned a lot about food and nutrition from her free monthly NuFit seminars.

“In addition to many fitness topics, I learned about different types of diets and proper nutrition,” she says. “I always take what I learn and apply it to my daily life, both at home and in the gym.”

When Lifestyles offers ballroom dancing classes, Rhonda and her husband Glenn attend the classes regularly.

Rhonda Fenske and her husband Glenn Fenske.

“These six-week sessions are offered on Tuesday nights and are taught by professional dance instructors who teach dances such as the cha-cha, rumba, waltz and swing,” she says.

Prior to COVID-19, Rhonda also served on the Member Advisory Group and enjoyed the opportunity to share member perspectives with management.

“I loved being involved in the process and making suggestions to improve an already excellent organization,” she says.

Since becoming a member, Rhonda’s overall health has improved and is medically proven.

“I’m now only taking calcium and vitamin D3 and a very small amount of immunosuppressants,” she says. “I used to have my post-transplant test results collected once a month, but now I’m getting tested every other month. There are no signs of organ rejection.”

Through hard work and determination, Rhonda is able to accomplish things she once thought impossible.

“The staff at Lifestyles played a huge role in making me more aware of the importance of fitness and the benefits it has for my health and well-being,” she says. “Taking care of myself is my way of honoring my donor and his family for this precious gift of life.”

To learn more about the benefits of Akron General’s lifestyle programs, including locations, services and hours, please visit: AkronGeneral.org/LifeStyles.