Kevin Kramer
Donation protected
A long road
By Breanna Chavez — 9 hours ago
Kevin's journey started in 2007 with the diagnosis of liver failure. At the time, they could not pinpoint why his liver was failing. He did not have the normal hepatitis, wasn't a drinker,and was never a drug user. They ruled out different reasons, but in order to get him better, Dr. Harrison recommended he go to the hepatology dept of the University of Colorado in Denver. Donna and Kevin made the trip down to Denver, accompanied by Dixie and Greg, and did all the necessary tests to get him on the liver transplant list. At the time, his MELD score was around 22, and he seemed terribly sick to us. The team in Denver put him on prescriptions to prolong the use of his liver and a diet that would also facilitate this. Through time and perseverance, eventually things did seem to be back to normal. There were occasional bouts of illness, but those were generally contained with a fluctuation in medication and rest. He was enjoying his life with his wife, his children, granchildren and dog. They built a small house that was a ranch style home, in preparation for old age (no stairs).
In March of 2015, symptoms started resurfacing, and by Easter they were increasing at an alarming rate. Jaundice and other symptoms made it clear it was his liver. On April 26th, 2015, Kev entered the emergency room in Kalispell, after medication adjustments no longer helped. He was in there until the 30th, and then felt he could better handle it at home. Kevin had an appointment in Seattle on May 5th to be seen by the hepatology team there, and thought he would be okay until then. By the next night he was back in the ER with clear realization that he could not be at home. His liver panel showed that his MELD score was 28, and his symptoms were so severe that it was evident he would not be able to take a commercial flight. Seattle did not have any beds available, and Denver was ready to accept him, so with help from many caring doctors from KRH, including the CEO and caseworkers, family and friends, Kevin and Donna took a med flight to Denver. Dixie and Greg were already in Seattle with their bags, since that was the original plan, and Dixie, along with Donna and Kevin's youngest daughter Laci, took the soonest possible flight out of Seattle to Denver and met them there. Meanwhile, Greg drove from Seattle with their luggage and their oldest daughter Breanna, took a flight from Kalispell.
Upon arriving in Denver, Kevin was dealing with many medical issues. The most certain thing they knew is that he needed a liver, and the sooner the better. His MELD score, which is the measure of the mortality risk for end stage liver patients, was at a 35. This score is capped by the the Liver and Intestinal Organ Transplantation Committee at 40 when determining priority for liver recipients. At
35 the area which you can receive a liver from increases to a much larger area.
Rocky and Chrissy, second oldest son and his wife, drove down in Donna's car so they would have transportation and of course to see dad and give support. The next Thursday Tommie and Tony, second oldest daughter and her husband, flew in.
By Sunday May 24th, they had found a match for his liver. He went into surgery at 12:30 am and Dr Bak finished around 8:30 am. Things were looking good until the morning of the 26th, when the liver started failing. This failure is very uncommon, about 1% of transplant patients, but he needed another transplant immediately. His MELD was 45, and although capped at 40 he was still at the top of the list. By Thursday the 26th they had found another donor, this liver bring much healthier and more vital. Breanna, Jason (oldest son), Rocky, Chrissy, and Sandy (Kevin's oldest sister), were all able to make it for the surgery. Dr. Bak again preformed the surgery, determined to bring Kevin babreathingck to us.
The surgery was a huge success and the new liver was thriving. Kevin was moved to the post transplant on May 31. Recovery was within grasp.
Shortly after surgery, Kevin was having a terrible cough. Although the liver was working fantastic, he was having trouble breathing. The first suspect, of course, was pnemonia. After several tests, they confirmed that he had Aspergillus in the lungs on June 5. Aspergillus is a common mold that most of us breathe in every day. However, when a compromised immune system is exposed to the fungus, it can create a very hard to treat infection, in this case aspergillus pnemonia, which can spread and cause problems with other parts of the body. The antifungal medications that they are treating him with are the top two antifungals, and are also not common, one had to be flown in. Some complications with these medications is that he can not be on the anti rejection medications during treatments because they suppress the immune system, and it is a very long course of treatment.
On June 6 they put him on a respirator to help with his breathing. On June 7th they started dialisis to help his kidneys which are suffering due to the medication for the fungus. On June 14th a trach was inserted.
On June 16th an MRI revealed lesions on the brain were aspergillus. They also found legionella bacteria. The aspergillus in the brain remains a problem to which the dedicated team of doctors here in Denver are researching and trying to determine the best course of action for.
Since the second transplant, Kevin's liver is doing well. However, it has been a daily rollercoaster of trials. He has dealt with high fevers, AFIB, low heart rate, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and pnemonia. He has had a tracheotomy, multiple liver scans, cat scans of the brain and abdominal wall, bladder scans, heart scans, MRIs, 2 lung scopes, a heart scope, spinal tap, 2 brain waves, multiple ecograms, EKGs, chest exrays, feeding tubes, catheters, a paracentesis, a drain tube on his left side to drain fluid collections, multiple blood and platelets infusions, not to mention countless blood tests. His fingers are bruised, as are his neck, arms, and legs from all of the tubes and blood draws. He has lost control of many of his body functions. Some days it is all he can do to open his eyes. But he keeps fighting.
During and throughout this entire journey, Kevin's wife Donna has stayed faithfully by his side, never missing a day of these trials and tribulations. She has endured it all by his side, spending most every night of these last eight weeks curled up on a hospital room couch or next to Kevin in a chair. Her days are spent absorbing data, taking care of Kevin, and trying to process the next course of action. She trys to take time to do what work she can do from here so that she can hold on to her job when life gets back to normal. Their five kids take turns coming down to Denver to help relieve Donna and to spend time with Kev. Since day one Donna's sister Dixie has been right by her side, supporting her in Denver, with Greg in and out as he can be here. Kevin's brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews have come to visit and cheer him up. Family calls daily, checking on Kevin, Donna, and the family. All of this speaks testiments as to what a great guy this is. He is a wonderful caring husband, brother, father and grandfather who is fighting a very courageous battle to get home to his family and to his dog Dutch in Montana.
By Breanna Chavez — 9 hours ago
Kevin's journey started in 2007 with the diagnosis of liver failure. At the time, they could not pinpoint why his liver was failing. He did not have the normal hepatitis, wasn't a drinker,and was never a drug user. They ruled out different reasons, but in order to get him better, Dr. Harrison recommended he go to the hepatology dept of the University of Colorado in Denver. Donna and Kevin made the trip down to Denver, accompanied by Dixie and Greg, and did all the necessary tests to get him on the liver transplant list. At the time, his MELD score was around 22, and he seemed terribly sick to us. The team in Denver put him on prescriptions to prolong the use of his liver and a diet that would also facilitate this. Through time and perseverance, eventually things did seem to be back to normal. There were occasional bouts of illness, but those were generally contained with a fluctuation in medication and rest. He was enjoying his life with his wife, his children, granchildren and dog. They built a small house that was a ranch style home, in preparation for old age (no stairs).
In March of 2015, symptoms started resurfacing, and by Easter they were increasing at an alarming rate. Jaundice and other symptoms made it clear it was his liver. On April 26th, 2015, Kev entered the emergency room in Kalispell, after medication adjustments no longer helped. He was in there until the 30th, and then felt he could better handle it at home. Kevin had an appointment in Seattle on May 5th to be seen by the hepatology team there, and thought he would be okay until then. By the next night he was back in the ER with clear realization that he could not be at home. His liver panel showed that his MELD score was 28, and his symptoms were so severe that it was evident he would not be able to take a commercial flight. Seattle did not have any beds available, and Denver was ready to accept him, so with help from many caring doctors from KRH, including the CEO and caseworkers, family and friends, Kevin and Donna took a med flight to Denver. Dixie and Greg were already in Seattle with their bags, since that was the original plan, and Dixie, along with Donna and Kevin's youngest daughter Laci, took the soonest possible flight out of Seattle to Denver and met them there. Meanwhile, Greg drove from Seattle with their luggage and their oldest daughter Breanna, took a flight from Kalispell.
Upon arriving in Denver, Kevin was dealing with many medical issues. The most certain thing they knew is that he needed a liver, and the sooner the better. His MELD score, which is the measure of the mortality risk for end stage liver patients, was at a 35. This score is capped by the the Liver and Intestinal Organ Transplantation Committee at 40 when determining priority for liver recipients. At
35 the area which you can receive a liver from increases to a much larger area.
Rocky and Chrissy, second oldest son and his wife, drove down in Donna's car so they would have transportation and of course to see dad and give support. The next Thursday Tommie and Tony, second oldest daughter and her husband, flew in.
By Sunday May 24th, they had found a match for his liver. He went into surgery at 12:30 am and Dr Bak finished around 8:30 am. Things were looking good until the morning of the 26th, when the liver started failing. This failure is very uncommon, about 1% of transplant patients, but he needed another transplant immediately. His MELD was 45, and although capped at 40 he was still at the top of the list. By Thursday the 26th they had found another donor, this liver bring much healthier and more vital. Breanna, Jason (oldest son), Rocky, Chrissy, and Sandy (Kevin's oldest sister), were all able to make it for the surgery. Dr. Bak again preformed the surgery, determined to bring Kevin babreathingck to us.
The surgery was a huge success and the new liver was thriving. Kevin was moved to the post transplant on May 31. Recovery was within grasp.
Shortly after surgery, Kevin was having a terrible cough. Although the liver was working fantastic, he was having trouble breathing. The first suspect, of course, was pnemonia. After several tests, they confirmed that he had Aspergillus in the lungs on June 5. Aspergillus is a common mold that most of us breathe in every day. However, when a compromised immune system is exposed to the fungus, it can create a very hard to treat infection, in this case aspergillus pnemonia, which can spread and cause problems with other parts of the body. The antifungal medications that they are treating him with are the top two antifungals, and are also not common, one had to be flown in. Some complications with these medications is that he can not be on the anti rejection medications during treatments because they suppress the immune system, and it is a very long course of treatment.
On June 6 they put him on a respirator to help with his breathing. On June 7th they started dialisis to help his kidneys which are suffering due to the medication for the fungus. On June 14th a trach was inserted.
On June 16th an MRI revealed lesions on the brain were aspergillus. They also found legionella bacteria. The aspergillus in the brain remains a problem to which the dedicated team of doctors here in Denver are researching and trying to determine the best course of action for.
Since the second transplant, Kevin's liver is doing well. However, it has been a daily rollercoaster of trials. He has dealt with high fevers, AFIB, low heart rate, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and pnemonia. He has had a tracheotomy, multiple liver scans, cat scans of the brain and abdominal wall, bladder scans, heart scans, MRIs, 2 lung scopes, a heart scope, spinal tap, 2 brain waves, multiple ecograms, EKGs, chest exrays, feeding tubes, catheters, a paracentesis, a drain tube on his left side to drain fluid collections, multiple blood and platelets infusions, not to mention countless blood tests. His fingers are bruised, as are his neck, arms, and legs from all of the tubes and blood draws. He has lost control of many of his body functions. Some days it is all he can do to open his eyes. But he keeps fighting.
During and throughout this entire journey, Kevin's wife Donna has stayed faithfully by his side, never missing a day of these trials and tribulations. She has endured it all by his side, spending most every night of these last eight weeks curled up on a hospital room couch or next to Kevin in a chair. Her days are spent absorbing data, taking care of Kevin, and trying to process the next course of action. She trys to take time to do what work she can do from here so that she can hold on to her job when life gets back to normal. Their five kids take turns coming down to Denver to help relieve Donna and to spend time with Kev. Since day one Donna's sister Dixie has been right by her side, supporting her in Denver, with Greg in and out as he can be here. Kevin's brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews have come to visit and cheer him up. Family calls daily, checking on Kevin, Donna, and the family. All of this speaks testiments as to what a great guy this is. He is a wonderful caring husband, brother, father and grandfather who is fighting a very courageous battle to get home to his family and to his dog Dutch in Montana.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dixie Greg Buller Post
Organizer
Glendive, MT
Donna Kramer
Beneficiary