Support David Fischman's Fight Against Multiple Myeloma

Over the course of the past 2-1/2 years, a family, so near and dear to my heart, has undergone a series of profound challenges that have given them the opportunity to realize their collective fortitude to endure whatever the universe has handed them. This special family is the Fischman’s: David, Tamara, Shayne, Collin, Clayton and of course, T-Bone and Wellington.

Some of you are aware of the numerous cardiac and neurological conditions David has battled since November 2021: 2 heart attacks, 9 stents, 9 mini strokes, anaphylactic shock, a concussion, polyneuropathy and countless lengthy hospital stays. Amidst all this, their home became essentially unlivable during a 14-month- long black mold mitigation and multi-level reconstruction all due to a hidden leaking pipe.

Little did they know, these struggles would pale in comparison to what would soon face them. In the late summer of 2023, Pet Scans, bone marrow biopsies and extensive lab work, determined the cause of David’s further decline: Multiple Myeloma. He began weekly chemotherapy on December 11, 2023 and is still in treatment. Midstate Medical Center (Hartford Health) has become their second home, as they are there at least 2x/week. The team of nurses and particularly his oncologist, has demonstrated outstanding care and compassion to David, Tammy and their sons, who all share in David’s treatment journey. They’ve reached a point in the process where David will begin harvesting his own stem cells at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. The harvesting is approximately 1 week and the eventual transplant will have David admitted to MSK for 4 weeks and an additional 2 weeks post-op in NYC, for daily visits to his transplant specialist. While the American Cancer Society has graciously provided a room at their Hope Lodge during the stem cell harvesting, family members are unable to stay there without the patient present. Such will be the case during David’s 4-week stay during future transplantation.

The financial burden is going to be onerous, at best. It’s nothing they should have to worry about during this time…when all focus and positive energy needs to be placed on David’s health. During these difficult 2–1/2 years, Tammy has exhausted nearly all her available sick time to accompany and support David for each and every surgery, hospital stay, doctors’ appointments and other medically-related issues. If the transplant must be scheduled during the school year, she won’t have paid leave time to be with David in NYC. And if you know Tammy, she’ll want to be by his side the entire time, giving orders LOL to his doctors as she is his best advocate. Their beautiful, loving sons will share in their dad’s “wellness journey” as they call it, but she’ll never leave his bedside. God has given this family eternal hope and the strength to believe their superhero will once again regain his power, but the financial worries have become their kryptonite. Anyone who knows David well, knows that this selfless giant of a man, whose heart is huge and gentle, shouldn’t have this added financial burden while trying to find his strength and wellness again. David might be a superhero of formidable strength, but we all know that Tammy is his wingman, the true force of fight who supports him and bolsters his courage.

Please find it in your hearts to allow this family to give their very special dad, husband and dear friend one less worry.