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Just as Mark was looking forward to retirement, his life was completely thrown into upheaval last November when he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The diagnosis was confirmed with a lung biopsy. You may not have even realized this, as Mark appears healthy. With no known cause of this incurable disease, which builds up a layer of scar tissue in the lungs, Mark is gradually losing his ability to breathe. The only hope for a healthy life is a lung transplant. Without a transplant, the median survival rate post-diagnosis is 2.5 to 3.5 years. It is imperative that Mark receive a double lung transplant soon. Mark has completed the extensive evaluation process at Temple University Hospital where it was determined that he is a good candidate and will soon be placed on the active transplant waiting list.
You may have met Mark at Alfred Benesch Engineering in Pottsville, PA where he is employed as a Engineering Technologist. Or you may have grown up with Mark in Pine Grove, where he has been a lifelong resident. He graduated from Pine Grove High school in 1971, then attended Williamson Trade School, Media, PA, graduating in 1974. When he was younger, he had worked for Ebinger Iron Works in Schuylkill Haven. He enjoyed several hobbies prior to his lung condition including: motorcycling, hunting, home renovation projects and travel. Most recently, Mark and I were married on September 30th, and we are committed to supporting each other through this crisis–but we need your prayers and your help!
Transplants are life-saving but financially draining. Even with insurance, Mark will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and temporary post-transplant housing near to Temple and the costly anti-rejection medications that he will need to take for the rest of his life. Even with much support from family, these expenses will be more than we can handle.
To help with the financial burden of Mark’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted non-profit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant -related expenses only. Please consider making an end-of year tax-deductible donation today and click the DONATE NOW button.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and generosity. Keep an eye on Mark’s campaign for future updates.
Gratefully,
Maryann Hoffman-Krammes, Mark’s wife
570-345-2585
Hello! I am being scolded on not giving an update on Mark's condition! Well, we continue to drive up to Philadelphia every week for tests and doctor's appts. Mark is progressing well; physically, he feels good but a little tired during the days, which is normal. He is sleeping right now, allowing some time for this message! On this last visit, we found out he has type 2 diabetes, caused by the anti-rejection meds that he must stay on. So with him taking 10 pills a day, doing 2 nebulizer treatments twice a day, now we add 3 insulin tests and 4 insulin shots to his daily schedule. It is very exhausting for both of us, but a small price to pay for a good recovery! We drive back to Philly on Monday, the 13th; he has the one month broncoscopy on Valentine's Day, which is standard procedure for transplants, and then stay overnight at Gift of Life House,going home on Wednesday. I hope the weather holds out. With the weekly visits to Philly and the Monday Morning bloodwork trips to Lebanon, we are Very Busy! We have asked people not to visit us yet, because we need some time to de-stress and we don't want Mark to get sickness during this flu season. Depending on the results of the bronc, we are hoping the vsists to temple will be once every 2 weeks. Please continue to pray for us for a good outcome and also the strength to keep moving forward. thank you for your support! Maryann and Mark Krammes
Well, we finally got the call on Sunday, Jan 8th at 11 am. We were ready! We started on the trip to Phila, and arrived at Temple University Hospital around 1:15 pm. They took him to surgery at 3 pm, and it was finished by 9 pm. He received a right lung and they fixed his diaphragm also. They took out his ventilation tube the next day, and he has started eating solid foods on the 2nd day after transplant, after he passed his swallow test. He also walked to the nurses station and back today. Everyone is very pleased with how well things are going. This attests to the power of prayer and well wishes from people like you who have supported us through out this whole process. Thank you. Maryann Krammes
We had a bit of a scare a couple of weeks ago. The physicians at Temple called to say that they noticed an irregularity in Mark's right diaphragm. It is 1/2 the size of his left one. The diaphragms help push the air out of the lungs. We had to go to Temple for an Ultrasound, and during that time Mark was still on the list , but de-activated. We were afraid that this development might push him off the list, as the criteria to be listed is very strict.(cannot be too healthy or too sick, not overweight, no cancer, no diabetes, etc.). But, just yesterday, the physicians notified us that they will fix this at time of transplant...so all is good again, and he is back on the "Active List"! Thank-you God, for answering our prayers!
Yesterday I completed my 9 weeks of pulmonary rehab and now it's up to me to continue an exercise program at home to keep myself healthy while waiting for my transplant call from Temple University Hospital. In the mean time I continue to work at Benesch full time in order to maintain my medical benefits. I've had a couple setbacks not related to my IPF since my last update. On April 14th my mom passed away after a long battle with bone cancer. She was 86 years old and just got tired of fighting the disease and is now in a much better place not having to deal with it. Also, on May 6th we had to put our 16 year old cat down due to his declining health. Maryann was concerned that these events might have a negative effect on me regarding my attitude toward my lung issue, but I surprised her and remained positive throughout. I've learned that it makes no sense to let things bother me that I have no control over. That's life as they say.
I continue to go to my scheduled appointments at both Hershey and Temple so they can keep track of my condition and will keep you informed of any changes. Currently I'm holding my own and doing pretty good. Thanks again to all who have donated to my campaign.
Mark will be starting pulmonary rehab this next week. These are exercises designed to strengthen the heart and the lungs for the transplant procedure. As his schedule with different medical facilities continues to grow, I know he will be very tired trying to keep up. We want to thank you for your prayers and support. Keep checking this site for recent updates.
Maryann Hoffman-Krammes
I'd like to say "Thank You" to Miller Brothers Constr., Inc. of Schuylkill Haven, PA, several classmates from the Pine Grove High School class of 1971 and the Williamson Trade School class of 7W4, Benesch coworkers, friends and relatives for their generous donations since our last update. It is good to know that there are people out there willing to help someone like myself in time of need.
I will be starting pulmonary rehab. on 3/22/16 which will be two days a week for nine weeks at the Good Sam. Hospital in Lebanon. There will be classroom training as well as time spent in the gym working out on equipment such as the treadmill, stationary bike, steppers, etc. The whole purpose is to keep me healthy and to build up my strength and stamina while waiting for transplant. They will also be monitoring what I eat and suggest changes in my diet if needed and providing me with an exercise program to do at home after rehab is completed.
My latest appointment at Temple was on 3/3/16 and I will have follow up appointments every 6-8 weeks. At this appointment it was determined that my right lung capacity is down to 24% and left is at 76%. This is why my doctors at Temple and Hershey agreed it was time for rehab. They also recommended that I have a sleep study done to determine if I have any sleep apnea. I will be scheduling this in the near future as well as continuing to work full time at Benesch. That's about it for now, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and check back from time to time for future updates.
I would also like to thank the following businesses for their generous contributions to my fund raising campaign:
Wehr's Auto Service, Pottsville, PA
Bill MIller, Ebinger Iron Works, Schuylkill Haven, PA
Mike Muncy, Victor E. Muncy, Inc., Pottsville, PA
Randy Spotts, Spotts Bros., Inc., Schuylkill Haven, PA
Your kindness is greatly appreciated and I welcome your thoughts and prayers as I wait for the call from the transplant team at Temple University Hospital.
We want to Thank everyone who has donated to our campaign... And to mention, in particular, Mark's fellow co-workers at Alfred Benesch Engineering, who have been more than supportive. The employees and the company are astounding us with their generosity---and we are so appreciative!
Please keep us in your prayers as we approach his list date of January 23rd.
Maryann Hoffman-Krammes
Mark, sending prayers for your and your family, all things are Possible With God's Will
Mary Miller Shive
Praying for you every day Mark. I am sending a check to the address listed. I also reposted this to try to get the word out there for you. Facebook is a great tool now days. And I believe greatly in the power of prayer.....
Donna (Miller) Reichert
Mark, our prayers and thoughts are with you
Ken and Lynn Taylor 7W4
Mark, We were your neighbors growing up. I'm connected to Mel on Facebook. Please know that I will be praying for you and your family. Praying that you will have a successful surgery and return to good health.
Carol Berger
Mark thinking of you and your family. Hang in there! Best of luck.
Don & Meg Dzedzy 7W4
thinking of you and your wife,if theres anything we can do,please let us know,your cousin Donna and Rich Bashore,we will be sending a check to the address,not sure on how to do t on the computer :)
Donna and Rich
Mark, really sorry to hear about this, hang in there and keep the faith.....I will be thinking of you, as will the rest of the Williamson Class of 7W4.
Scrounge
Mark, Hang in there my friend. I'll be thinking of you.
Gary Mason-7W4
Praying for you !
LouAnn and Will Shiffer
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Mark Krammes
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
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