Support Mark Praxl's Road to Recovery

As anyone reading this surely knows to some extent, for the last six months or so my dad, Mark Praxl, has been battling a great many illnesses due to cirrhosis of the liver. Since December, he and my mom have been in and out of hospitals countless times, often for extended stays. With that being said, our family is thankful beyond words to say that on June 12, 2024, dad underwent successful liver transplant surgery at the University of Wisconsin Medical Center! It’s a long road to go from here but grateful doesn’t even begin to be enough to describe the feelings we all have that he has a new lease on life and will have many more rides on the “skid-woader” with my son, Jack.

Now comes the uncomfortable part. Despite my mom and dad being the type of people that would quite literally give you the shirts off their backs, I’m positive that they will both be upset with me for setting up this page. I simply don’t care. With so many trips in and out of hospitals, including now a likely 3-4 week stay in Madison and plenty of future 5-hour trips across the border back to Wisconsin upon their return, the financial burden of this entire process has really racked up. To make matters worse, due to his illness dad lost his job of 15 years and mom has had to step away from her job at Past & Present for the time being to become his caregiver.

Mom and dad are not the type of people that would ever ask anyone for anything, but they need it right now and any little bit helps. Regardless, the thoughts, prayers and messages from friends and family have meant the world to our family. It’s humbling to know that we have such a big support system.

The day of surgery, we got a glimpse of the old dad we love as you could literally see and hear the life return to his face and voice. Dad’s a tough dude and he’s going to battle his way all the way back from this thing. The old “Prax” you all know will be back in no time.