DUmmie FUnnies 05-17-05 ("I'm pretty upset right now, and I need an explanation" ---Pitt)

YOWZA! YOWZA! YOWZA!!! It’s RED ALERT time in the AndyScam scandal!!! A regular 5-ALARM fire has broken out in DUmmieland. Pied Piper Pitt has FINALLY awakened from his insomniac state of apathy and has DENOUNCED Andy Stephenson in this THREAD titled, “I'm pretty upset right now, and I need an explanation.” I’m sure you all are HOT to get right into this firestorm so without further adieu let’s get right to it. Pied Piper Pitt’s ANGRY RED HOT posts as well as those of his fellow DUmmies are in Bolshevik Red while the commentary of your humble correspondent, watching Dummieland trying to extinguish the flames of outrage with gasoline, is in the brackets:

[It was ALL explained for you days ago right here in the DUmmie FUnnies, Pitt. I guess you were trying so desperately to get some sleep that you didn’t notice.]

As you all know, I was one of the people who took point on raising money for Andy. I wrote about it for truthout two or three times, and convinced the crew at Progressive Democrats of America as well that we needed to raise a call for help.

"A few weeks ago, Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the more dangerous varieties of the disease. His doctors told him he needed a Whipple procedure to get at the tumor, and only a few hospitals in America can perform this complicated procedure with the required competence. To compound the problem, Andy shares the plight of millions of others in our disgusting for-profit health care system and does not have health insurance."

[That taste of Scamdy Kool-Aid does tend to leave a sour taste in the mouth. Eh, Pitt?]

"Several weeks ago, Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was recently told that he must undergo what is called a Whipple Procedure. This is a very serious surgery that few hospitals in America are skilled enough to perform well, and requires significant time for recovery. Fortunately, some friends managed to get Andy a slot at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, one of the premier hospitals for this type of procedure. He is slated for the procedure in the second week of May. Unfortunately, the hospital requires a $25,000 down-payment before they assent to doing the Whipple, and requires another $25,000 once the procedure is done. They are expecting the down-payment immediately."

The basis for this started way back in February. On the 29th, I posted this truthout blog entry, which I reposted here on the first and fifteenth of every month to help raise money:

"For the last several weeks, Andy has been suffering through a bout of Hepatitis. The word came down yesterday, however, that his situation is far more serious. 'I apparently have a tumor growing around the bile duct where it passes through my pancreas," he wrote. "The tissue sample was consistent with malignancy; it could be benign but I am planning for the worst.'"

Note that here it says 'tumor.' In subsequent weeks I was told that it was pancreatic cancer requiring a Whipple. Note also that the fundraising for Andy did not start a week or so ago, but started three months ago.

[So you swallowed Scamdy Kool-Aid from the get-go. It sure doesn’t say much for your judgement, Pitt.]

"fyi: it is a tumour on the duct, not the pancreas themselves. it looks to not have spread at all. it is not pancreatic cancer as others have posted, but if it was not caught early enough, it would have certainly spread there."

I am one of those "others" who posted it was pancreatic cancer, requiring a Whipple. I posted it here, on truthout, and on PDA. I did so because that is what I was told was the diagnosis, repeatedly, by both Andy and others.

[I have a question for you, Pitt. Why are you JUST NOW waking up to this AndyScam when the whole scam has been revealed in the DUmmie FUnnies since last week? But continue…]

1. If it was not the very serious pancreatic cancer, why did the surgery need to be done at Johns Hopkins?

[$$$. And the best way to raise it is to screech pancreatic surgery needed at Johns Hopkins.]

2. If a Whipple was not required, why was $25,000 and then $50,000 needed for this surgery? Andy could have gotten this far-less-serious procedure done back in Seattle for a hell of a lot less money.

[Um…maybe because Andy is a CON MAN as has been mentioned for WEEKS here in the DUmmie FUnnies?]

3. Why was I personally told this was pancreatic cancer? Why was I allowed to repeat this now-inaccurate diagnosis many times without anyone correcting me?

Understand: I believe Andy has a tumor of some kind, and this requires medical attention. I do not think this entire situation was fabricated from nothing.

[I happen to have an ingrown toenail, Pitt. Could you please raise money for me and tell everyone it is for cancer of the foot?]

But the 400 people who will come into this thread with "Andy doesn't need this stress" can hold your water. Andy is apparently a hell of a lot less ill than I and others were led to believe, and I need some answers. I put my reputation, the reputation of truthout, the reputation of PDA, and the reputations of all the people who work for those organizations on the line not once, not twice, but every day for weeks on this. I have a huge, huge responsibility here, and I am not going to just let that drop.

[Don’t worry about Andy. He is the FATTEST pancreatic cancer patient in history. You could have figured that out for yourself if you just bother to analyze for a half second those pics he posted recently of himself with chubby cherubic cheeks. As to your reputation, Pitt, I think that already went down the toilet when you posted your HILARIOUS Hockey Puck theory of geopolitics a few weeks ago.]

I have a personal reason for asking these questions over and above everything else. A great and good friend of PDA, activist Damu Smith, was recently diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. There is no ambiguity about this diagnosis. But because I was told Andy had pancreatic cancer requiring a $50,000 Whipple in the best hospital on the Eastern seaboard, I talked PDA into diverting time and resources towards Andy. This wound up diverting time and resources away from Damu.

I would like some answers. No wait and see. I have spent time with Andy, worked with him, thought I knew him well enough to vouch for him in a time of crisis. I am feeling personally betrayed right now, and furthermore I have put far more than my own feelings and standing on the line here.

[You could have had your answers long ago, Pitt, if you actually paid attention to the DUmmie FUnnies. We were the FIRST to break the Bev Harris scandal. And we are the FIRST to break the AndyScam scandal. (Please take note, Mary Matalin).]

If you think I'm a bastard for asking, I will live with that. But if this is not explained to a degree I find satisfactory, there is going to be hell to pay.

[What are you going to do? Give Scamdy a Bowel Flush? And now on to the commentary of the DUmmie bystanders in this burning HOT melodrama…]

There is nothing wrong or offensive in anything you said. You want answers and you deserve them. I am certain others feel just the same way that you do. I among them.

[You could have had ALL the answers about the AndyScam long ago merely by checking out the DUmmie FUnnies.]

Question though and I'm not trying to discount your concern in any way . . .What is the difference between saying "I apparently have a tumor growing around the bile duct where it passes through my pancreas" and "it is a tumour on the duct, not the pancreas themselves?" They sound like they're describing the same thing to me.

That was February. In the time since, I was told it was pancreatic cancer requiring a WEhipple. I was told this by Andy. I put that third quote in there to underscore the fact that fundraising for Andy didn'st start here a couple of weeks ago, but has been ongoing for three months.

Well, I have no clue what's going on. I trust both of you and to see that you aren't totally together on this, I don't know what to think. I'll wait to see what the answers are and what you make of them. *lost*

Just curious. If you spent time with Andy, worked with him, and knew him on a personal level - to whatever degree - how is it that you and he never discussed his diagnosis in detail?

[Because Pied Piper Pitt will unquestioningly swallow any Kool-Aid served to him by a Leftist.]

Perhaps you need to talk to Andy. After all, he would be the only one who could truly provide you with the answers you need. Besides, this is DU, after all, and shit can get flung around with great abandon, with matters being taken out of context, and people making mountains out of molehills. I'm assuming that you have a way of contacting Andy, I would suggest that you do. perhaps he can provide you with a copy of his doctor's diagnosis.

[Andy Stephenson is just $10 away from calling Pied Piper Pitt with a full explanation.]

Much as I pray for Andy's good health, I get the feeling I have missed something cuz I don't understand the nuances.

[Here’s a little “nuance” for you: Andy Stephenson SCAMMED buku bucks for the second time in less than 6 months out of you incredibly GULLIBLE DUmmies despite all the warnings posted about him.]

If people stop trying to make this world a better place because of being mis-led ( AND THAT'S NOT AN ASSUMPTION- SIMPLY A POSSIBILITY)- we should all drink the kool-aid asap.

I just found out in this thread that our friend Damu is sick. Damu is an absolute stand-up guy!!!!!!! My husband has done work with him and Black Voices for Peace over the past few years and he is an inspiration to all. The news that he is sick is shocking and disheartening. I would hate for our side to lose someone so dedicated and valuable. My prayers go out for Damu and his family.

[Yeah, well too bad you fools already sent your money to Scamdy who is NOT sick with cancer.] I think you need to talk to Andy directly, Will. He's the only one who can provide the answers.

Exactly. Why air a concern publicly before giving a "friend" an opportunity to respond? IMO, this is a perfect example of "shit flinging"... contact Andy! Go straight to the source.

It was the source that got me going on pancreatic cancer, Whipples and fifty grand. I would like a public disclosure for reasons I think are clearly understandable.

[That “source” will will make full disclosure to you, Pitt, after he is done flushing his bowels.]

especially since the "proof" was the copy of the certified check, not the cancelled check

[Actually copies of cashiers checks but its nice to know you read the DUmmie FUnnies.]

So how are your sleeping patterns? Do you find lack of sleep makes you jumpy? Andy is your friend, or so you say, so call and ask him. And go to the doctor so that you can sleep. Take care of your own health.

... Will, thank you for broaching a subject many of us have been afraid to post about and Andy, all I would like is a consistent history of what was known and when. What is the real diagnosis and do you really need a Whipple procedure? Sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm feeling particularly disillusioned this afternoon.

[LOUSY FREEPER TROLL!!! Give to Scamdy until it hurts. And then give EVEN MORE!]

For the life of me, I can't understand why someone in a position such as yourself would not get the patient to sign a HIPPA form and then send the form on to the hospital. There really is no need for all this public thrashing around. There is no need to wonder what is going on. The facts are readily available. The hospital can then send you ALL his medical records. Then any doubts could be absolutely and completely resolved.

It appears that horse has left the barn. Had I been a professional about this - instead of a trusting friend - I would have required that a hell of a long time ago before posting any calls for help.

I was going to post a similiar thread. But was waiting for the PM and e-mail that I sent to Skinner to be answered before I did. I don't really care who flames me or whether I receive a tombstone for saying this, but I've been very uncomfortable with the silence on this board when it comes to this issue and any verification of the cause I donated not just once, but twice to. Would I have donated had I known it wasn't a life threatening condition? Probably not, because we all know there are MANY DU'ers on this board with medical problems and no insurance to pay for them. If I donated to Andy, I have to donate to them all. I dunno. I hope Andy comes along and clears this all up and that I get rid of this bad feeling I have that I've just had my pocket picked.

It does "feel" odd, and has now for a couple of weeks. I would have thought by now we would have had the definitive answer, but there are just more questions.

I think all of us at DU need an explanation, because we all invested our time, money and our emotions to this calling. We deserve to be told the circumstances exactly as they are. No more embellishment, just the facts. If this matter wasn't handled on the straight and narrow, then someone needs to be accountable.

[You want the truth? Alright, I’ll TELL YOU THE TRUTH!!! You got SCAMMED!!! And if you want to hold someone accountable, then start with Skinner who idly sat by while allowing Bev Harris’ former partner in crime scammed EVEN MORE money from you incredibly GULLIBLE DUmmies. And after holding Skinner accountable, then hold YOURSELF accountable for allowing your feeble mind to guide you.]

Will, you have to get some sleep. Your lack of sleep is impairing your judgment. This is not an attack, it is an observation and you have let all of the Lounge know you have terrible insomnia. Deal with that, for your sake and for those who trust your judgment. Right now, you aren't using any imho.

[Sleep Will. It is ALL a bad dream. Andy is NOT scamming everybody based on your word. It is only a nightmare you are having, Pitt. When you wake up, ALL will be well…in your alternate reality.]

Skinner was going to get in touch with Andy and get him to give his permission to his doctors to discuss his situation. Then he (Skinner) was going to tell us here at DU what the doctors said. What is the status of that?

It wasn't just here it was all over the net. Mike Malloy, Thom Hartmann, the Al Franken message boards, the Randi Rhodes message boards, numerous other websites. Always it was posted that Andy had pancreatic cancer which has a less than 10% survival rate and not pancreatitis (or whatever it is he is supposed to have now) which has a greater than 95% survival rate.

[It’s nice to know that DUmmieland has a lot of Leftist company in the Gullible Fools Dept..]

Couple of things. According to what I have seen, the Whipple is not going to be preformed now. The diagnosos I was told in the last weeks was difinitive: Pancreatic cancer needing a Whipple. That was the basis of the calls for help, that it was immediate and life-and-death. Like I said, I don't doubt that Andy has a tumor requiring treatment. But I am not at all sure that it required $50 grand at Johns Hopkins. It could have been pretty much free at a Seattle hospital.

[Which we have been saying for a LONG TIME here on the DUmmie FUnnies, Pitt. DUhhhhh!]

I thought someone said....that the surgery was scheduled for sometime next week. Is that in question now, too?

Who knows. This has been bouncing around like a ping pong ball. First it was $25k, then $50k, then the checks got lost, then Andy posts a thread about writing a 'hot check,' then he deletes his own thread, Skinner has not posted any clarifications, I don't even know what the surgery date is anymore, and now the whole diagnosis has changed.

[Beautiful summation of what we have been stating ALL ALONG in the DUmmie FUnnies, Pitt.]

But such surgery could easily be performed in Seattle...The $50,000 was needed to cover surgery at Johns Hopkins because the survival rate for pancreatic cancer was higher, not just surviving the surgery.

TIMELINE CHAPTER 3 - SOMETHING BIG

It didn't feel like Sunday
It didn't feel like June
When he met his silent partner
In that lonely corner room
That overlooked the marquee
Of the plaza all-adult
And he was not lookin' for romance
Just someone he could trust

And it wasn't no way to carry on
It wasn't no way to live
But he could up with it for a little while
He was worki n' on something big

Apr-8thru10-05: Andy in Nashville for a seminar

The Tennessean:

DU Post: Nashville conference on election reform/election justice, April 8-10
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=146x1952

Cobb-LaMarche Blog: http://www.votecobb.org/newsclips/2005/apr/news2005-04-11.php
Andy quoted in interview: Because of privatization, only the companies that own the electronic machines are able to know the outcomes, said Andy Stephenson, education director for Vote Trust USA...''Security is a real issue,'' Stephenson said. ''There is no way for the voter to know whether the information displayed on the touch screen is the same as what's recorded in computer memory.''

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Apr-27-05: Andy posts that he’ll be in Columbus, OH from May 6-8 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3551008 Pictures from Ohio can be found at:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1405019/posts?page=915#915

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Apr-28-05 04:41 PM Sfexpat2000 starts the fund-raiser for Andy. One of our DUers was able, through her wonderfulness, to get Andy into Johns Hopkins. The surgery is set for early the second week of May. This is the best venue for Andy and it's nothing short of miraculous that we've gotten this far. While we're working to see if we can get a fee reduction, as of this minute, they want $25K up front. I wrestled with the finance department and that's the best deal I could get. I need to check back in with the hospital TOMORROW. So, the clock is ticking and I need to raise this money. Andy's surgery cannot be put off.

###Hat tip to Choose Ye This Day (Post 60)### From the Johns Hopkins procedure manual: e. Advise patients unable to meet 80% coverage of their liability of other available payment options: Medical Assistance application, Installment Payments, Financial Assistance, special funds, etc. http://finance.jhmi.edu/finance/Forms/FIN041.pdf Johns Hopkins DOES accept Installment Payments. Then WHY did they need $50K up front???? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1400691/posts

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April-29-05 at 3:00 pm Apr 30, 2005 7:37 pm William Rivers Pitt says Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 'several weeks ago' and 'to date Andy's friends have raised about $7,000'....the hospital requires a $25,000 down-payment before they assent to doing the Whipple, and requires another $25,000 once the procedure is done. They are expecting the down-payment immediately. Andy Stephenson does not have health insurance

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April-29-05
William Pitt's Blog at PDA America
A great friend of the activist community named Andy Stephenson needs our help. Andy has been a tireless fighter for election reform in America for years. He worked closely with the Black Box Voting organization, spent every waking moment traveling and speaking on the issue of electronic touch-screen voting machines, and even ran for Secretary of State in Washington on a platform based on this specific issue...

Several weeks ago, Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was recently told that he must undergo what is called a Whipple Procedure. This is a very serious surgery that few hospitals in America are skilled enough to perform well, and requires significant time for recovery. Fortunately, some friends managed to get Andy a slot at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, one of the premier hospitals for this type of procedure. He is slated for the procedure in the second week of May...

Unfortunately, the hospital requires a $25,000 down-payment before they assent to doing the Whipple, and requires another $25,000 once the procedure is done. They are expecting the down-payment immediately. Andy Stephenson does not have health insurance; activists like Andy rarely do, because there is little money to be made in trying to do good. In this, Andy is like millions of other Americans who do not have health insurance and thus face financial ruin if they get sick.

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Another Plea for Donations posted to Democracy for Washington group Apr-30-05 2:27 pm
From: "clluxa"
Update on Andy's cancer surgery: donations needed. As of noon today, about $11,000 has been raised. Beth, the person heading this up and dealing directly with Johns Hopkins (the hospital wanted $25K yesterday) has said that Johns Hopkins has now said they will still schedule Andy's surgery if they get $15K by Monday. Please donate if you can, even a small amount. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/democracyforwashington/message/4339

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May-01-05 Thomas Leavitt’s blog: ‘In less than three full days, via a posting on D.U. and postings to email lists and blogs, his friends have managed to raise $20,000 to pay for his surgery. http://www.seeingtheforest.com/archives/elections/

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Save Andy - And Save America, Too!
by Thom Hartmann
Another plea for funds, this one is wrapped up in a long anti-American rant about (naturally) lack of universal healthcare.
Including:
"Andy Stephenson's story is something that could only happen in an oligarchic banana republic - or in the USA."
and
"We can help Andy to survive and return to his work by sending him a donation today. And we must help America awaken and become the sane and civilized nation we have always thought ourselves to be by expanding Medicare to cover all Americans."

From the commentary section below (there are only 2 posters and 1 is sfexpat): Elizabeth Ferrari says:
At this moment, Saturday afternoon, this amazing community has donated $35,851.63 towards our Monday deadline. The sixty three cents came from a child's piggy bank.
My bet is on the kids. They know better.

cheers, Beth

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May-01-05 at 09:50:12 PDTdragonslayer: You may remember Andy Stephenson from his primary run for Washington Secretary of State. You may also know Andy from his work on Black Box Voting and electronic voting issues. Andy has been a leading advocate for electronic voting reform, and is personally responsible for much of the attention this cause has received. Andy has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his pancreas, and requires surgery, which will be performed the second week of May. Because of Andy's sacrifice for the cause of electronic voting reform, he does not have health insurance and is unable to cover the costs of this surgery. Andy is at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and they require $25,000 upfront to schedule this surgery. As of this writing, Beth Ferrari has negotiated with Johns Hopkins to schedule the surgery if we can provide $15,000 this Monday, May 2, and $10,000 soon thereafter. The entire surgery is slated to cost $50,000. Beth has done amazing work in negotiating with Johns Hopkins.

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May-02-05 11:54 at 11:26:24 PDT Ray Minchew : Just got the word this afternoon. The fundraising done here at PDA, and especially over on DemocraticUnderground.com, hit the $25,000 mark today

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May-02-05 3:16pm Andy Stephenson on PDA, thanks his donors http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=23#comments

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May-02-05 3:45 am UPDATE FOR ANDY we Need $1759.37. to reach goal for this morning of $25,000.00 so Beth can work with John Hopkins for Andy Stephenson. It is 5:40 a.m. central time and we are almost at this mornings goal. Later we will have to work out the other $25,000.00 **Undefined Link

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May-02-05 6:12 pm marilyn aka hiley updates the fundraising ‘The last tally we have posted is $27,104.63 just since Thursday afternoon **Undefined Link

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May-04-05 17:52:48 PDT Andy lands in Baltimore

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Baltimore:
May-04-05 7:42 am Cherisse Luxa on PDA updates ‘Today the total raised hit $30,000. Andy is in Baltimore and will be meeting with the doctor at Johns Hopkins tomorrow. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. We MUST get the rest of the money raised by then
http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=22#comment-73

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From: "clluxa"
Date: Wed May 4, 2005 7:34 pm
Subject: Update on Andy and Fundraising effort Andy Stephenson arrived in Baltimore today and will be meeting with the doctor at Johns Hopkins tomorrow. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.
So far a little over $30,000 of the $50,000 needed for his surgery has been raised and we need to get the rest of it raised by Tuesday.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/democracyforwashington/message/4375

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ May-04-05
Posted to DailyKos by Dragonslayer

We're more than half way to meeting our goal of $50k for Andy's surgery. He landed in Baltimore today and will be meeting his doc tomorrow. (And in the middle of all this, he's giving a seminar this week in Columbus.)

We are today at nearly $29k. Need to get to $50k by MONDAY! Please, Please help us!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/4/205248/4169

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May-04-05
Rachel Maddow Show (Air America) makes a plug for Andy on her blog:

Andy Stephenson - Black Box Voting

The whole country owes electronic voting activists a huge debt of gratitude for the consciousness-raising and rabblerousing they've done on the issue of our private, for-profit, unregulated voting system.

Andy Stephenson, electronic voting activist par excellence, is seriously ill with pancreatic cancer. He's facing hugely expensive treatment, with no health insurance.

Thanks to William Rivers Pitt (scroll down), fellow Air American Mike Malloy, Thom Hartmann and others for bringing attention to Andy's crisis.

You can donate by Paypal to Andy_Stephenson@comcast.net or at Amazon here -- even a couple of bucks would help. Solidarity, hey? And while we're at it, how about a damn plan to cover the uninsured in this country?

Rachel

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May-05-05 14:49:29 Last tally for Andy's fund is $30,602.00 ....He is in Baltimore now for the 'Whipple' surgery at John Hopkins.

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May-05-05 Andy allegedly visits w/ the doctor **Undefined Link

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May-05-05 Cashier's Check for $25k is issued from WA state: scanned copies posted to FR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1402493/posts?q=1&&page=1834#1834 (Post 1802)
May-06-05 Cashier's Check for $7k is issued from WA state: Scanned copies posted to FR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1402493/posts?q=1&&page=1834#1834 (Post 1802)

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May-05-05 Andy flies to Columbus after Doctors Apt @ JH **Undefined Link

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May-06-05 "termite" mails checks to JH - undetermined exact date - per Undie himself **Undefined Link

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Ohio:
May-06-05 Andy flies to OH -> This is INCORRECT, WHY? **Undefined Link

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May-06-05 Sfexpat2000 announces just over $32k is raised **Undefined Link

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May-07-05 Andy is in Ohio @ the DU meetup

May-07-05 7:00 PM The first of many Central Ohio DU meetups will be at 5pm on May 7th 2005. We'll feature Mr. Andy Stephenson, the most valuable asset in fighting vote fraud in the United States as well as Ohio's 15th District Democratic candidate Mark Losey. Mark will be the man who'll unseat the Evil Debra Pryce. Goodboy, Andy Stephenson, and soon to be Congressman Mark Losey are all eager to meet our great Central Ohio DU'ers. The Meetup will take place at Houlihan's Restaurant and Bar in Dublin OH. 3580 W Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, 43235 - (614) 932-9090

May-07-05, Columbus, Ohio Photo:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/fredgrady/andyliberalnursemeganmonkey.jpg

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May-07-05: at 12:42 pm KyndCulture (who doesn’t know Andy personally) posts on the Randi Rhodes board the fundraiser including the claim that by May 7 at 9am $34,000 had been raised.

For those of you who don't know who Andy is, he is a liberal activist that worked tirelessly on the election and the election fraud. He worked with black box voting for months and Bev Harris bailed owing him a large sum of money and left Andy without a job. Anyway, earlier this year Andy was diagosed with the most serious form of pancreatic cancer and he needs a very special surgery to save his life. Andy does not have health insurance and because of his pre-existing diagnosis he has been turned down for medicaid. Andy was scheduled to have this procedure Tuesday May 10th. Johns Hopkins has agreed to perform the surgery. The hospital required a $25,000 deposit to schedule the surgery that goal was met thanks to Democratic Underground and several other liberal websites who have raised over $34,000 (as of 9am saturday morning).

May-07-05: at 1:49 pm KyndCulture posts that Beth Ferrari is talking to JH
!!!IMPORTANT!!!
If you are sending something, please email Beth at info@dougzilla.com with the amount of the donations. She is the official bean counter and the donations have to be properly tracked and totaled to keep Johns Hopkins happy.

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May-08-05: Meet w/ some more DUmmies

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May-08-05
Posted to DailyKos by Dragonslayer
the hospital is demanding ALL of the money by Monday or they won't operate. Let's kick it into high gear for Andy. Let's show the world that the OUR CULTURE gives HEALTH TREATMENT to those who have a LIFE.

This is an absolute shame that they still won't help us live our life in good health and be protected when we're sick. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/4/205248/4169

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May-09-05 Flew from Ohio back to Baltimore **Undefined Link

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Baltimore:
May-09-05 "Bowel flush" **Undefined Link

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May-10-05 Scheduled surgery date (Page captured) Andy's surgery cancelled http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3629008&mesg_id=3629008

TIMELINE CHAPTER 4 - SHADOW OF A DOUBT

Yeah, she likes to keep me guessin', she's got me on the fence
With that little bit of mystery, she's a complex kid

And she's always been so hard to figure out
Yeah, she always likes to leave me with a shadow of a doubt
Sometimes at night I wait around 'til she gets out
She don't like workin', she says she hates her boss
But she's got me askin' questions, she's got me on the fence
With that little certain somethin', she's a complex kid

May-10-05 Scheduled surgery date (Page captured) Andy's surgery cancelled http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3629008&mesg_id=3629008

greatauntoftriplets: 1. ANDY'S SURGERY HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR TODAY....He arrived at the hospital this morning and was told that they had not received the checks and that the surgery was cancelled. After raising holy hell and traipsing around Johns Hopkins, Andy learned that the checks were on the mailroom supervisor's desk at 11:45 yesterday morning, but were not sent to Financial Services. The checks were marked for Financial Services and had Andy's name and patient ID number on it.

sfexpat: 20. Actually, the mail room supervisor was the only one who did the right thing. He wasn't sure where to send it so he kept it on his desk to research or in case someone called him. Nobody called him. In fact, they told me he didn't exist when I told them who signed for the check. Now JH is feeling defensive because they know they blew the paperwork. I've a call into Patient Relations and am trying not to kick anything that might break. Andy is gettng some rest. I may need to do the same soon. Can't help thinking that if Andy had Blue Cross, they wouldn't have their money today anyway, they would have to wait to process the claim. He now has to talk to the doctor to find out when it is rescheduled. As he says, a simple phone call would have resolved this and he would be in surgery right this minute.

Stephanie: 44. DO NOT harass the hospital! That will not help Andy at all. PLEASE don't do this. Let sfexpat handle it as she has been all along. The last thing Andy needs is for us to antagonize these people. Please!

Stephanie: 51. I don't think any of us should be contacting the hospital. It is officially none of our business. Please let sfexpat handle this and don't screw it up for Andy by antagonizing the hospital staff. They don't need to hear from us. It will only make things worse.

(Moment of clarity post) Bozita: 52. Sounding more and more like a Monty Python episode ...with each passing hour. If this were written up into book form, it would be classified as fiction. MORE ON FUNDS:

grasswire: 62. So Paypal DID release the monies? I must have missed some action. The last I read yesterday (Monday), Paypal had not yet released the monies into Andy's bank account. And yet a check was sent in the mail to Johns Hopkins and arrived in the mailroom on Monday? Was that for the full amount -- the $50,000? Maybe someone can clear up the confusion. Poor Andy.

phusion: 72. A generous friend fronted him the money...Until paypal releases the funds.

Posts 78, 84, 88, 91, 97, 102, 110, 119, 126, 145, 147, 157, 172, 180 removed. Judging by reply messages, poster(s) believe the whole thing is a scam and references information that will be posted on KOS. Provided a phone number (deleted) that DUer's could call. Another post references the letter to the lawyer: arnheim: Oooh! A letter to the JH lawyer! Well, that proves that you can write a letter. Big freaking deal. I hope that you learn to use proper grammar before you put this on your blog. Your writing style is pathetic. Well, I guess it matches you and your claims.

JabbatheHutt (33 posts): Several things wrong with your facts. First, HIPPA is paramount to whether or not they release information, it doesn't matter if you're a friend of the insured or some moron who's doing this to get attention, they WILL not release any information to unauthorized person, and to me, you certainly aren't authorized. Second, you contacted the senior doctor at JHU, because _YOU_ assumed he'll be the one performing the Whipple Procedure. May I remind you that there are a lot of top doctors that can perform the Whipple procedure at JHU? Thirdly, Andy is as real as you and me. He's not Bev. I'm starting to smell a jealous woman that's getting spurned in favor for Andy. Sincerely yours, JtH (I won't even bother reading your links)

RadFemFL: Idiot...Even if it WAS a scam, both Amazon and Paypal have 30 day guarantees. So they would not get away with the money, we could request our money back anytime within that 30 days. Oh, and NO doctor in this country is going to give out Personal Health Information (PHI) on one of their patients. They could lose their license for that...

qanda: 123. I just called and it the lady said "IT"S A HOAX!" I have no reason to lie. I have been a part of this community for over three years and now I am concerned that the greatest hoax ever has been perpetrated on DUers. Call the number yourself. Here's a web address with the number on it http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/cameron.cfm Now I see why certain DUers didn't want others to call Johns Hopkins. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!!!!

cat_girl 25: 125. Why did you call that number? And what makes you think the person is who you are supposed to talk to?

qanda: 140. Go to Dr. Cameron's website. The number is right there. http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/cameron.cfm

merh: 163. You can't really believe that you can call a doctor's office for information on a patient! LOL - especially the wrong doctor.

sfexpat: 142. That is not Andy's doctor. n/t NOTE: No mention of WHO Andy's doctor is

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May-10-05 Undie posts that Skinner has info to verify things **Undefined Link

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May-10-05 "LaLaRawRaw" posts her "proof" that Andy's illness is legit 68.http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3630503#3630592

ANDY GAVE ME PERMISSION TO PHONE HIS DOCTOR... I CALLED, THEN PATCHED ANDY IN... HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1). I, ALTHOUGH I ALREADY KNEW THIS, WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT ANDY IS INDEED WHERE HE SAYS HE IS AND IS ILL

2). THEY COULD NOT TELL ME SPECIFICS BECAUSE OF HIPPA, BUT THEY SAID THAT PEOPLE ARE CALLING THEM AND THEY ARE NOT PLEASED ABOUT THIS VIOLATION AND THEY ARE NOT PLEASED ABOUT THE STRESS THIS IS CAUSING FOR THEIR PATIENT.

3). THEY ASKED THAT PEOPLE STOP CALLING THE HOSPITAL AND HARRASSING THE OFFICE.

4). JANET, THE WOMAN I SPOKE WITH AT THE OFFICE, SUGGESTED THAT I TELL THOSE OF YOU SPREADING THIS RUMOR THAT "THIS IS NOT HEALTHY FOR OUR PATIENT. OUR HOSPITAL IS NOT IN THE HABIT OF GIVING OUT PRIVATE INFORMATION. MR. STPEHPENSON IS IN FACT ILL, BUT I CANNOT AND WILL NOT VIOLATE THE RULES OF THIS HOSPITAL AND OF THE HIPPA STATUTE TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS THAT ARE CLEARLY MOTIVATED BY SOME PERSONAL ATTEMPT AT VIOLATING MR. STEPHENSON'S PATIENT RIGHTS AND HIS RIGHTS AS A PATIENT OF THIS HOSPITAL"

NOW, FOR AN UPDATE ON ANDY'S SURGERY: HE IS SCHEDULED FOR A SCAN AND GOING BACK IN ON THURSDAY. HE IS GETTING THE SURGERY AT JH. HE IS NOT IN THE HOSPITAL UNTIL THE ACTUAL SURGERY, ALTHOUGH HE HAD TO DO THE "CLEANSING" PROCESS. HE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

SO YES, MY DEAR FRIENDS, JUST IN CASE YOU WERE CONFUSED OR IN DOUBT... AND BECAUSE AS ANDY'S FRIEND, YOU PROBABLY SAW ME AS BIASED, I WORKED THIS AS A JOURNALIST TO FIND PROOF FOR YOU.

SO STOP THIS CRAP AND ASK WHY AND WHO IS SPREADING THIS. ANDY MADE A SUGGESTION TO ME ON THE PHONE AND IT IS ONE THAT I AGREE WITH, BUT CANNOT POST BECAUSE THIS THREAD WILL GET LOCKED.

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT OF A GOOD PERSON. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING THIS RUMOR FEST (I HAVE SEEN THE CONVERSATIONS ON CU, FOR EXAMPLE) BUT THERE IS NO HUMOR IN THIS.

NONE!!!!!

Regards, La La Raw Raw

From the same thread: William Pitt: I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH ANDY. On the Scale of Shit He Has to Deal With, this has got to rate up there with aliens from Mars and the potential eruption of Yellowstone. But he understands that an accusation has been made, and that Skinner is in a rotten position because of it.

Skinner: 54. Andy is in the car with Ted, and is about 40 minutes away from a computer, so he can't get to your PM with your number for the next little bit. I have PMed you his cell number. If you can, please call him so the two of you can talk personally and get this squared away. He will give you what you need to clear this up, and thanks again for handling this so well.

sfexpat offers explanation for a more "verifiable apparatus" for Andy's funds: 118. I was just talking yesterday to a DUer about this issue. Part of the challenge we had was no time to set up an apparatus -- one that could be verified by people with reasonable questions.
On the other hand, most real scams seem to involve a plea attached to a short time limit. So, I understand that this drive could have looked like that.
Fyi, that same troll has been spamming my email box under different names right up to Sunday night. I have reported it to their ISP. The goal was to derail me and that didn't happen.

Horse with no Name offers justification for the money they've raised so far and HINTS that more will be needed: 60. Maybe it's just me but I have a pretty sensitive bullshit detector.
I never detected one thing. In fact, aunt and I had a great conversation about this when it all started and I mentioned that a Whipple was going to probably be involved, and everything that has happened is completely consistent with someone that has his symptoms. Everything. Not one red flag that this is a hoax. Some of the stuff has been pretty technical, things lay persons who were perpetuating a scam wouldn't think of.
The $50k? That is for starters. That is much less than what the standard for this surgery is. My guess is that it is just a large portion guestimate. Some people are hospitalized up to a month on TPN, IV fluids, fluid replacements from all the drains and the NG tubes. My guess is that fluid replacement ALONE in this surgery would be $2k-$3k per DAY. That doesn't include ANYTHING else.
For another thing, I kind of resent someone having to "prove" that they are legitimately ill. I said before, If you can't give a gift to someone and not care what they do with it, then you shouldn't have given it in the first place.
Now, there are going to be so many strings attached to this gift, it will truly take the joy and goodwill of giving and receiving that happened.
The rumors have forced Skinner to have to verify this.
I find this soooo incredibly sad.

Various DUers report that surgery was cancelled:
greatauntoftriplets: 69. When Andy called me this morning to tell me the surgery had been cancelled, he sounded like a man who had been kicked in the guts
redwitch: 93. oh no why was it cancelled?
gkhouston: 98. temporary paperwork foul-up. They're trying to get things straightened out, now looking at surgery on Thursday.

sfexpat says "troll" helped them with JH: 294. There is one very good result of that trollthing: Two hours ago, the hospital was trying to get me and Andy to give up and for Andy to just go back to Seattle. Now, it looks like after being called so much, they are actually feeling protective of "their patient". So, thank you, troll, for doing what I failed to accomplish this morning.

gkhouston: 299. delicious irony, but why did they want you to give up...Surely the paperwork snafu isn't THAT horrible?

sfexpat: 324. Two reasons, maybe. They're using to dealing with insurance companies, not people. And, maybe they felt a bit embarassed about not being able to find a check sitting in their own mailroom.

gkhouston: 329. well, sending you back to Seattle would help them get over their embarrassment but it wouldn't be so great for our Andy, now would it? Now that they've found the check, do they know what to do with it, or is it going to spend another day in limbo on a different desk? I can easily believe that the nonstandard payment does flummox them somewhat; I remember some friends who bought a couple of couches years ago and it took forever to complete the transaction because they wanted to pay for the furniture outright instead of buying it on time. If your payment method doesn't map to their payment method, all is confusion.

sfexpat: 341. Exactly. Andy has his check inhand and it looks like everything is going to be all right

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May-11-05 8:00AM Undie got the puppy, and posted those silly pictures. **Undefined Link

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Famous "bloodsuckers" post: "Well the blood suckers at Hopkins have been paid...But I had to come up with an additional 5k this morning. Oh well at least they have their money and I am back on track for surgery. No Date yet but I imagine it will be late this week or early next week...barring anything unforseen. I had to get a 3D cat scan this AM...Why...I don't know."

Interesting tidbit from Horse With No Name: 32. Johns Hopkins is a referral hospital only.

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May-11-05: 10:41 AM Andy Exam date as stated on 'Diagnostic sheet'

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May-11-05: Andy posts that JH has been paid
10. JH Has the money...The surgery is paid for...just awaiting my date with the knife. I might add if you had been here just a couple of days ago...all doubt was dispelled in regards to my condition.

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May 11: 1:02 PM Andy's results are completed **Undefined Link

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May 11: 8 PM Andy posts that he wrote a "hot check" http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/KJC1/AndyDUDeletedPost.jpg

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May 12: 1:59 PM Andy posts "Diagnostic Sheets" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3644906 (Original images have been removed, image saved by others to be added)

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May 12: 2:09 PM Andy posts "Cashier's Checks" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3645000&mesg_id=3645000 (Original images have been removed, image saved by others to be added)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ May-14-05 Andy_Stephenson has had his endoscopic ultrasound....finally.
greatauntoftriplets: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=343509 He was supposed to have it on Friday but got bumped at the hospital so it was rescheduled for 7:15 a.m. today.
There are no results yet and he is uncertain when they will be in. Right now, he is fine following the procedure but exhausted, still under the influence of the anesthesia and is going to bed for a good sleep.
Andy won't be responding to any phone calls or emails this afternoon, and possibly not until tomorrow. He may be online this evening, depending on how he feels later.
Thanks, all!

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May-15-05 04:58 PM JH Has the money... The surgery is paid for...just awaiting my date with the knife. I might add if you had been here just a couple of days ago...all doubt was dispelled in regards to my condition.

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Sun May-15-05: Andy is staying with me in Baltimore-Miss Waverly
10. Andy is staying with me in Baltimore-Miss Waverly. Last week there were setbacks that delayed his surgery, when Andy arrived last Monday in Baltimore, the check that he sent registered mail to Hopkins could not be found, so they canceled the surgery, we tracked the check down by the next morning but it was too late by then to do any good, but it turns out that the surgery could not have be done Tuesday anyway because Andy needed a super duper test first, well billing now has the certified check, he has had his preliminary test and surgery is now scheduled for May 26th, they will try and move up the date (Andy is now on standby & will move up if there is an opening.) The problem is that more money is needed, the extra test was $1600 and the doctor bill will be another $7000. You guys know me I've been posting here since last November. This is legit, Andy really is ill and these are real charges.

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I'd like a few moments of your time to talk about Andy Stephenson

Sun May-15-05 05:01 PM Joan_Alpern: 1. I've had supper with Andy for the past two Saturday nights. There is no doubt in my own mind about the validity of Andy's health problems.

Last week I met Andy for the first time. He had spent the day teaching a workshop about one of his favorite topics the Voter Verified Paper Ballot. He was looking forward to putting his Whipple surgery behind him and continuing his work.

But I saw a different Andy Stephenson yesterday. Andy was the same goodhearted person but he had lost something in the one week that had passed. He was in pain and he was tired. The stress brought about by the continuing complications of the week seemed to have totally depleted his normally positive attitude. However ~ Andy wanted Termite to meet bettyellen so Andy, Termite, Stephanie and I boarded the Path Train for a trip to Hoboken. As we sat enjoying one another's company over supper it was apparent that Andy's strength was fading fast. His surgery has been rescheduled for later this month.

A positive attitude is essential to Andy's healing process. He needs Du's continuing emotional support until he is able to get back out there and return to the work and the people that he loves.

Please join me in wishing Andy the very best of luck.

NOTE: Since there is plenty of evidence that Andy was in OH, Ms. Alpern must have attended the workshop. However, what I find remarkable is how Andy went from being well enough to teaching a seminar (which he must have done with some vigor & enthusiasm) to being "in pain and tired" & "depleted" in a week's time. In one week, he finally developed the symptoms he should've had for months.

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May-15-05 Something's Gota Give aka Mr.NiceGuyDied on DU posts an open response to the "andyscam" on Anonymous Army:

I'm really disappointed that you would continue this farce when faced with overwhelming evidence that your snide little money collectors have lied, and manipulated, all over the internet. They have continually ignored requests for information and even resorted to threats when questions were pursued after "If you don't trust Will Pitt I can't help you" answers were deemed unsatisfactory.

Because Beth Ferrari, you chief collaborator, threatened me I decided to check out your story myself. Contacting you personally was pointless because I tried that when you asked me to leave you alone on DU when I found your actions in the BBV fiasco, and your involvement with Mike Vreeland, objectionable at best. Instead of helping me “get it” you just tried to lather me up.

So I started calling Johns Hopkins...

Already armed with enough evidence to expose you (from my calls fishing for info) I called the nice woman at Johns Hopkins back. This time when she answered the phone I told her who I was and why I had called the day before. She all at once seemed relived, and angry, when she said to me that I wasn't the only person investigating this and yes it was a scam. By the way, she worked in the Oncology department not just for Dr. Cameron...

So if you think things are cleared up, or I'm off base, just keep watching then I guess.

I haven’t even started asking you about how much money you have collected, and how anyone is supposed to believe you considering your willingness to lie about money, as displayed during your defense of Bev Harris before you abandoned a sinking ship.

You know who I am. Why do you insist on calling me Bev or a freeper troll? Why hasn’t Skinner commented on your proof? Does anyone have the right to ask you any questions you arrogant piece of sh*t?

Here is the latest MISSIVE from Pied Piper Pitt posted late last night on his PDA site:

Update on the Andy Stephenson situation

May 18th, 2005

Various corners of the web have been buzzing with rumors and stories about the status of Andy Stephenson. I, myself, started something of an ugly firestorm on the topic on Tuesday when a bunch of seemingly contradictory information came my way and caused me to question exactly what was going on. To wit: There were allegations made that Andy was not in fact suffering from pancreatic cancer, and that the fundraising blitz done in the last weeks was based upon less-than-accurate information.

After two long days of phone calls and emails, I have come to a few absolutely concrete conclusions. First, Andy does in fact have pancreatic cancer, and is a long way from being out of the woods. Second, there was no bad faith, exaggeration or ill intention whatsoever in the process of raising money for him. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the confusion that has burst forth in the last several days on this issue stems from the simple fact that the people involved in this process have never done anything like this before - raising large amounts of money from anonymous people on a website - and that several people of good faith were publicly posting parts of the story here and there on the web, lending the impression that there was more than one version of the truth floating around.

The details, of course, are more complicated than these straightforward sentences, but the details lead back to the same conclusions.

Back in February, Andy was diagnosed with a tumor in or around his pancreas. Subsequent doctors, subsequent tests and subsequent diagnoses confirmed this. As in any medical situation, though, the specifics of the diagnoses and prognoses changed from doctor to doctor. Anyone who has ever been sick, or dealt with someone who was sick, knows how this kind of thing can be fluid. A couple of weeks ago, thanks to the help of friends, Andy was put into the system at Johns Hopkins, the premier facility for this kind of disease.

The explosion of confusion surrounding this situation took place, in a twist of rotten irony, because of a piece of good news. Andy got a test at Hopkins that revealed the tumor to be ‘encapsulated.’ I am not a doctor, and the details of why this was better news than originally thought are beyond my ability to describe with any coherence. Yet the fact remains that the worst-case scenario was a little less pressing after this new test.

But when this news was posted as an aside comment on the web, word began to spread that Andy was not, in fact, afflicted with pancreatic cancer, and that the fundraising efforts that were based on this diagnosis were done in bad faith. I, myself, reacted to this badly. The very public proclamations of pancreatic cancer which I and others were told to make did not seem to jibe with the seemingly offhand revelation that this might not be the case.

I suddenly got a whole bunch of messages from other organizations which had likewise supported the fundraiser. If the facts were different than originally stated, they feared, it would be a blow to their reputations and would harm their ability to raise money for their own causes. They feared, in short, that they had helped to sell a false bill of goods, and had done so in no small part based upon my word on the matter. I raised, not to put too fine a point on it, a good deal of hell after this.

Here’s the deal: The new test revealing the ‘encapsulated’ tumor was misunderstood by many, including myself, as meaning the situation was far less serious than originally stated. The misunderstanding came, in no small part, because the people describing the test results (along with myself) know as much about medicine as I know about flying a stealth fighter.

Rather than try to blast through everything, better to address the most-asked questions that have come up.

1. Does Andy have pancreatic cancer?

Yes. The news he got last week may well auger towards a better outcome, but it is still pancreatic cancer and is still very, very serious. Frankly, we are at the point where the doctors will not know exactly what they are dealing with until they get in there and have a look. Once they do, there will be one of two possibilities found: A cancer that can be dealt with, and a cancer that cannot. The surgery is slated for next week, but could conceivably happen sooner if there is a cancellation on the Hopkins surgery schedule.

2. Could Andy have had this surgery somewhere besides Hopkins?

Technically, yes. He could have it in a number of places, but the fact remains that Hopkins is the best place to deal with pancreatic cancer. The odds of a favorable outcome fall off the table when procedures like this are done elsewhere. Andy’s doctor, apparently, is a Jedi Knight of a surgeon who has developed his own version of the Whipple procedure that is less invasive. Bear in mind that not too many years ago, pancreatic cancer was a no-doubt death sentence. He is lucky to be there, and we are lucky that he is there.

3. Is the surgery going to cost what was originally claimed?

Yes. We managed to raise an eyelash above $50,000 for this, and every penny of it has been needed. In fact, once the chemo and recovery process starts, this merry-go-round is going to start up all over again…albeit with wiser and cooler heads in charge of the process.

I am more than a little disgusted with myself for the part I played in causing all of this confusion. I hope that this will serve to put any questions to rest, so that we can focus on what is important: Pulling for Andy as he goes through this wretched situation. He is in Baltimore now, surrounded by friends, and is well cared-for. When more information comes along, I will let you know.

As an aside, there are some out there on the web who have used this situation as a means to attack Andy because of his work on election reform, or because they just don’t agree with his politics. To say this is disgusting, ghoulish and beneath contempt is to put it kindly. My posting this isn’t going to stop them from continuing their wholly despicable campaign, sadly.

For those who require more proof than what I have provided, Andy has begun the process of setting up a spokesperson with HIPAA permissions to deal with and make public pertinent documentation. You aren’t going to get everything, because 99% of this isn’t anyone’s damn business but Andy’s and his doctor’s, but enough proof to silence even the most pestilent of critics will be provided once the HIPAA process is done.

Strength, Andy.

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