For God Sakes, can't somebody drive to John Hopkins and investigate

[trumad]

Andy's case? If Andy was having surgery near my hometown I'd simply get in my car and go visit the dude. I'd check out his story, and if it squared, I'd report it. If not, I'd report that to.

Isn't there anybody that lives near John Hopkins who can do this?

I can't for the life of me figure out why getting to the bottom of this is so God Damn hard! Shit...DU knew that Saddam had no WMD's about 2 years before the rest of the Morans in this country so that kind of tells me that we're pretty good at checking things out.

Somebody get in the fucking car and drive over there!

[GOPisEvil]

1. HIPAA law prevents that.

Unless Andy released this information, the hospital could not release that information.

[Modem Butterfly]

3. HIPAA doesn't prevent you from calling your friend in the hospital

I was in the hospital last summer for a week or so last summer and got several calls, from friends, family, and, unfortunately, work. I got calls from people I rather would not have heard from, frankly (someone actually called me to find out why their raise hadn't gone through yet, as though I was in any position to know!)

[knowbody0]

2. instead of his offering the copy of

the certified check, a cancelled check would be better proof. also a copy of the diagnosis, with recommended treatment. seems easy enough

[Cleita]

16. If it's a certified check, he wouldn't get the cancelled check

back, but the bank it was drawn on would. Also, even if it was a personal check out of his bank account he still wouldn't get it back until he got his statement back. So I'd give him the benefit of the doubt here.

[WI_DEM]

4. It looks like DU is going on Andy hysteria again

I just don't think this is the way to handle any questions. I do believe that whatever his condition is, he must have been led to believe it was life threatening and needed this care. I gave a measly $20.00, but I'm proud to be associated with a group of caring people. I think between Skinner and Will any questions will be ultimately answered. My feeling is if tests have proven that Andy's dx is not as dire as believed--Hallelujah!!

[Maat]

5. I hear what you are saying ... but ...

my donations are sort of being cancelled out.

If Andy gets so upset, he gets more ill, then the purpose is being defeated.


Please, everyone, pipe down and put a sock in it until around May 27th or May 28th, after the surgery, when we have some truly relevant info.


And, maybe, trumad, hopefully, someone who lives near JH will be able to visit him.

God bless!

[madinmaryland]

6. I would be happy to visit Andy even though I have

never met him nor him me. I WILL NOT BE PART OF AN investigation, though.

This is a reply to the original poster.

I am about 15 minutes south of Baltimore.

[Maat]

10. Thanks for saying that.

I agree.

If you visit him, it is to bring DU's best wishes to him.

Thanks again.

[VelmaD]

7. I would go in a heartbeat if I could...

Andy is my friend and I love him dearly and would give anything to be able to be there with him right now. Mostly because he's sick and he needs me but also because I think I could get this all straightened out if I was there in person - I'm pretty sure Will would trust me.

[Ripley]

8. Hey, I thought you left?

Hee hee. :hi:

My question is...why do so many DUers keep letting themselves get sucker-punched?

[Horse with no Name]

9. There are several here who have confirmed

sfexpat, miss waverly, etc. the events and the condition of Andy, including the ones that he is staying with at present.
Their reputations are on the line as well.
This many people cannot be perpetuating a hoax. I refuse to believe it.
My wish is for this to all be over with everyone's--including Andy's--reputation to be intact.
What good is it to have a lifesaving surgery when several around here have damaged the life he has built?
Just an observation.

[Maat]

11. Right on.

Let's stay encouraging and positive.

No more questioning threads, I say.

We will know what we need to know after the surgery and after the analysis performed on what was removed.

Until then, we wait and send positive vibes.

[Modem Butterfly]

13. Yes, no questions...

Questions are bad. Only trust, and obey...

[belladonna]

12. I'll be in Baltimore the 25th and 26th

Hell, I can go up there beforehand if needed.

[SoCalDem]

14. As someone who has dealt with many hospitals over the years,

I can vouch for the last minute cancellations and postponements.The ONLY thing I would change about this whole episode is that if we ever have a similar circumstance, there needs to be a special account at a bank set up to receive funds. The funds are then held in escrow, until the designee (hospital) asks for the release of them.

I manage the funds of several large bowling leagues, and oversee in excess of 100K of funds that are returned to all members at the end of the league, depending on how much each person is due.. (In fact in an hour, I am handing out over $41K to 115 people)

We have an account that requires a release of funds with a minimum of two signatures.. we have 3 on the accounts.

I have no doubt that Andy needs surgery, and will get it. It does make me sad to see so much antagonism. Gifts given should not have strings, but human nature eggs people on to know :the rest of the story"...even if the book is not complete yet..

It's easy to give to someone you see all the time, and know "for sure" , and it takes a leap of faith to donate , sight unseen, to someone, with whom you do not have physical contact..

We ALL wanted things to go smoothly, but the rarely do, in real life..
...

[hamerfan]

15. Go Will,

I've been a lurker here for 4 years, and rarely post. I donated, and don't want the money back. I recently declared bankruptcy so the money would be handy, but mostly because of Will Pitt's posts, I donated (and I have never met Will or Andy). It sounded like it was an emergency to me.
The bigger picture is how much of a "he said, she said" mentality is present here. The bad taste in my mouth may never leave.
I believe Will was correct in asking the questions. The vitriol he received was incredible to me. I would be asking the same questions if it was my best friend and I had stuck my neck out as far as Will did his.
I hope Andy fully recovers and continues his excellent fight against BBV.
Mostly I can't understand the vileness I read in the previous threads. No wonder we can't win anything in politics if we are this easily divided by trying to do good.
Best wishes to all....