Michael’s Story

Site created on December 2, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. 


Pops was first diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma in 2015. At the time, he did a few chemo treatments and he was pronounced clean. Earlier this year he started losing weight. Over the last few months it was clear he had lost too much weight and was becoming a little unsteady as he walked. He then fell one night at home and it was decided that he needed to be taken to a doctor immediately to determine what was going on with him. He was taken to the Emergency room at Stamford Hospital on November 8th and he remained there until November 28th. The doctors then informed us that not only had his Follicular Lymphoma returned but it had also morphed in to Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.


It was a rough few weeks for him at the hospital. He had several blood transfusions, several scans and a lot of poking and prodding as they did their best to nurse him back to health. He began his chemotherapy last week and will have to continue with this for a few months. He'll do a day of chemo and then has three weeks to rest before the next treatment. After he was discharged from the hospital we helped move him in to an assisted living facility named the Atria, which is also in Stamford. They have a staff of nurses and he also has Ridgefield Visiting Nurses looking in on him as well. His boys all have been around and we're doing the best we can to make him comfortable as he goes through his various treatments.


Pops says he's up for the fight and we're all hopeful he'll make a full recovery. It's not going to be easy and he understands what he's up against so now we just take each day as it comes. I'll try and keep this site updated as much as possible. It's hard for him to answer and return all your calls, so texts and emails may be better for now.


Thanks again for all your love and support!
The Fissell Family

Newest Update

A couple of positive updates!

Journal entry by Ryan Fissell —

First, Pops had his stint implanted last week and the surgery was a success. In fact, it went so well, he only had to spend one night in the hospital. That's a big load off his mind and he'll see his vascular surgeon next week for a followup, but we're expecting no issues. Phew!

Yesterday Pops completed round 6 (and cross our fingers, the last round) of his chemotherapy. He slept well last night and is looking forward to regaining his strength (and hair) soon. He'll have a PET scan in a few weeks to determine how the true status of his cancer. We'll update everyone after that.

Thanks again to everyone who has kept Pops in their prayers and to those of you who visited him. It's all been a huge help. 

Extra thanks goes out to Margo Donohue (Pops' sister) for making the trek up from VA several times and for all the emotional support she gave to all of us.

Melissa Madsen for being a wonderful human being. You're the best Melissa!

Joe Jordan, for rides to appointments and being his local "rock" he could count on.

Thank you all!
Read More of the journal titled "A couple of positive updates!"
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