UPDATE 12/28/2025

Michael fought so hard after 2 liver transplants and 2 other surgery’s after he coded on Christmas Eve. Today he lost the battle and was welcomed into Heaven.



UPDATE 12/8/2025

Michael received a new liver on dec 3 and it rejected dec 6. He is currently in ICU fighting for his life while waiting for another liver. This has been a battle for him and myself. We weren’t expecting this and it’s terrifying. Watching him lay in a hospital bed without being able to speak fully and coherently, not able to move and in pain. It has been hard. I miss him. I know he is right here, but he’s not him. I’m praying for this new liver to be the match we need and he can start his healing journey.

UPDATE: 11/25/2025

We were admitted in the hospital this past Sunday. He will be here until transplant. On Saturday, I rushed Michael to ER due to no urine output. We found out his kidneys were being affected and his bilirubin was at 39.

We went from a Meld score of 27 to a 35. He was rushed to SA by ambulance from the hospital in Fred. We also have found out his cirrhosis was due to an auto immune disease (PSC) and not fatty liver.

So now we wait.

Thank you for donating. This truly prepares us for the costs such as gas, food, missing work, surgery/hospital bills. We appreciate you more than you know.

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UPDATE: 11/19/2025

Michael has been in and out of the hospital for the past month, and things took a hard turn recently. He’s now officially on the transplant list, and we currently have three living donors going through evaluation. We’re praying one of them is approved soon. His bilirubin levels remain high, and he’s very jaundiced, so we’re keeping a go-bag ready at all times for that call whether it comes from the donor side or from the list.

This season has been heavy and unpredictable, and we know the journey ahead is going to be long. We truly appreciate every bit of support, prayer, and encouragement. Plans rarely unfold the way we imagine, and this has changed our lives in ways we never expected. Even so, we’re trusting God with every step and believing that the right door will open at the right time.

Thank you for walking with us through all of this.

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Hello friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

I’m writing this with a heart full of love and hope as we face one of the greatest challenges of our lives. My fiancé, Michael Ficklin, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver Cirrhosis in October 2024 . A diagnosis that came out of nowhere and shook our world to its core. The cause was fatty liver disease, which silently progressed until it became life-threatening.

This all started after weeks of me urging Michael to see a doctor for pain he was having from his gallbladder. He finally went in and that visit changed our lives forever. We found out he needed to have his gallbladder removed, but buried in the CT scan results was something much more alarming: “liver cirrhosis.” Imagine opening your health app and reading those words without any warning. It was a devastating night and one Michael and I will never forget.

Michael is only 36 years old, but in that time he’s touched more lives than he realizes. Anyone who knows him knows he’s a one-of-a-kind mix of goofy humor and a heart of pure gold. He’s the guy who can make a whole room laugh with one comment, but also the first to roll up his sleeves to help someone in need, no questions asked. Whether it’s fixing something for a neighbor, lending a listening ear to a friend, or going out of his way for a stranger, Michael lives to serve others.

That’s what makes his role as Facilities Director at Boot Ranch so perfect for him. He loves his job deeply, not just because of the beautiful property or the work itself, but because of the people he serves every day. His team is like family to him, and he takes immense pride in making sure everything runs smoothly so others can enjoy life’s special moments. Even now, while facing this illness, Michael keeps showing up with that same dedication and positivity.

But the reality is that this illness has taken a huge toll on him emotionally, physically, and financially. In the midst of receiving this devastating news, Michael was planning one of the happiest moments of his life , proposing to me, Marisela, his future wife. Instead of the excitement and fun of planning a wedding, we now find ourselves planning for countless doctor visits, procedures, and a long, uncertain road to recovery.

We are now at the stage of beginning the evaluation process for a living donor liver transplant, the only option to save Michael’s life. We are also extremely blessed with so many of our family & friends willing to get tested. If you are interested in this, please contact us. While this brings us hope, it also brings an even heavier financial burden as we prepare for the life-changing transplant and all the expenses that come with it:

Though insurance helps, it doesn’t cover everything, and the out-of-pocket expenses are already overwhelming.

We do plan to get married in January of 2026, God Willing. But in lieu of wedding gifts, we humbly ask for your support in helping us get Michael the care he needs to live a full and healthy life together.

Your donation, no matter how small, will directly ease the financial strain on our family and allow Michael to focus all his strength on recovery. More than just financial help, your support means the world to us, it gives us hope, encouragement, and a reminder that we’re not facing this battle alone.

Please consider donating and sharing Michael’s story with your family and friends. Every share, every prayer, and every dollar brings us closer to giving Michael a second chance at life and to a future where we can finally celebrate our wedding day as husband and wife.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during this incredibly difficult time. We are eternally grateful for your love, generosity, and kindness.

With love and gratitude,

Michael Ficklin & Future Marisela Ficklin