Johns Hopkins has verified that Andy Stephenson is in surgery right now.

[Skinner]

I just got off the telephone with the Johns Hopkins Hospital office of corporate communications. They confirmed to me that Andy Stephenson is "in surgery as we speak" at Johns Hopkins Hospital. They also confirmed that the surgery was originally scheduled for tomorrow, but it was changed to today.

Now that Johns Hopkins has verified directly to me that Andy is in fact a patient at their facility, we consider the issue of his alleged fraud to be resolved and closed from further discussion on Democratic Underground. We understand why some members may have had questions or concerns about this issue in the past when the facts were not known. There is a huge difference between the malicious trolls who outright lied (and were since banned), and legitimate DU members who had honest questions. The fact that I have verified that Andy is indeed in surgery does not give anyone license to ostracize or attack DU members who held a differing opinion in the past. We hope that now we can put this conflict behind us and move toward healing for this community.

We wish Andy Stephenson good luck in his surgery. He has had a very tough time these last few months, and hopefully now he can begin the road to recovery. We are anxious to hear any updates that people have about his condition. If anyone does have any news, please feel free to post about it on Democratic Underground.

Skinner
DU Admin

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Thanks Skinner! *hugs*

[Horse with no Name]

2. Thank you Skinner.

Thoughts and prayers are with Andy.

[Fud]

143. Finally people can put the lies and spectulation behind.

I don't know Andy that well cept for a few emails back and forth. But i trust him totally on his word. The naysayers can bite my bum cheeks.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. Thanks Skinner.

:hug: to Andy

[XemaSab]

4. Thanks for clearing it up

n/t

[geomon666]

5. Good luck Andy.

Come back stronger than ever!

[The Magistrate]

6. That Is Good To Know, Sir

Thank you for the information.

Let us all hope for a favorable outcome.

[meganmonkey]

7. I'm glad that this is sufficiently 'cleared up'

although still amazed at the mayhem over the last couple weeks.

Well, everyone keep sending good thoughts to Andy and see the other thread for updates!

[IdaBriggs]

8. Thank you, Skinner!

You are the BEST! :) Ida

[KaryninMiami]

9. Thank you. Now let's all focus on helping Andy get better soon!

He's going to need lots of love and support from this community so keep those prayers and healing messages flowing. Knowing Andy, as soon as he is able, he'll be back on line and right back here to his friends at DU.

[Rainscents]

10. Thanks Skinner!

I wrote Andy email the other day, and he wrote me back. I wish him well and speedy recoverage!

[wicket]

11. God bless Andy

And thank-you Skinner for verifying this and putting up with all of the crap that has gone on over the past few months. :yourock:

[The_Casual_Observer]

12. We will wait for the good news of a good outcome of this surgery

Best wishes godbush&cheney.

T_C_O

[wtmusic]

13. Thanks and good luck Andy

We're pullin' for you :hug:

[Historic NY]

14. I pray everything works out for him........

he has a long day ahead. Get well soon Andy. :thumbsup:

[Stephanie]

19. He went in early this morning

around 7:30 - so it should be finished soon.

[NoPasaran]

15. Good news

A speedy recovery to Andy

[Fovea]

16. Good for Andy!

I have a candle lit for him.

Now will the person who made the accusation against a desperately ill man please step forward for their well deserved beating?

[proud patriot]

17. I'm sending strength to Andy

:-)

[madrchsod]

18. well for those who are inclined

i guess we`d better pray for him. thank`s for informing us.

[DemExpat]

20. Good news! And the very best wishes for Andy's recovery

and successful surgery!

:hug:

DemEx

[libodem]

21. Thank you for the update, Skinner

I hope that his surgery goes well and his recovery is speedy.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. DU'ers are truly PRO-LIFE

We opted for life rather than cynicism in Andy's case.

[Lisa0825]

46. Excellent way of putting it!!! (nt)

[DemBones DemBones]

149. So if you're PRO-LIFE because you trusted that Andy was telling the truth,

that means those who questioned whether we were getting the whole story are PRO-CHOICE. By your definition, cynicism is a quality of pro-choicers.

:shrug:

Why not just avoid ascribing new meanings to a well-known and well-understood term such as "PRO-LIFE"? It means "opposed to abortion on demand," which most DUers are not. (Some DUers and some pro-lifers agree that euthanasia is wrong and/or that the death penalty is wrong. Some DUers and some pro-lifers are pacifists, or opposed to most wars. But most DUers support abortion on demand, which is not at all a pro-life position.)

Better yet, why not avoid casting aspersions on any DUer who questioned some aspects of the various accounts of Andy's illness?

I never posted on this topic at all, was away and missed all the deleted threads. But, after the troll was banned, I read some of the later threads to see what was going on. There was a legitimate basis for the questions asked by real DUers. They don't deserve to be branded as cynics for saying more information was needed.

After all, Skinner banned further threads about Andy until he got some confirmation, some more information, from Johns Hopkins. That doesn't mean Skinner is a cynic, does it?

[graywarrior]

23. Thanks Skinner

Let's hope this is a step toward healing for Andy and everyone at DU.

Remember, people, we got bigger fish to fry.

[merh]

24. Thanks Skinner

Will you tack this to the top of the forum like you had your other message about Andy? It would be nice if you would, just for the day.

Some folks were hurt by the nastiness and the assertions, they may feel a little better knowing that you have posted this message.

:hi:

[understandinglife]

33. Excellent suggestion (nt)

Peace.

((((((((( Ripple Effect )))))))))):yourock:

[Bunny]

25. Good luck Andy and best wishes for a speedy and complete

recovery! :hug:

[Debbi801]

26. Adding my thanks to everybody's elses!

[Caoimhe]

27. Be Well Andy!

You have a lot of people thinking about ya!

[understandinglife]

28. Thank you Skinner and everyone at DU for supporting Andy.

Peace.

www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[EFerrari]

29. Skinner, with all due respect,

I'd like to point out that the organizers of the fundraiser, myself being one of the most active, went out of our way throughout this process to provide the best answers we could to our fellow DUers who asked reasonable questions, yourself included. As this situation developed, we were able to lay hands on better information. That is the nature of medical crises.

And I'd also like to point out that we have been accused of everything from obfuscation to outright fraud. It has been a sad time in many ways.

It is my hope as well that we can move on, with lessons learned both about the strength of this community as well as about its sensitivities.

best to you all,

Beth

/typin'

[OzarkDem]

39. Don't worry

its not your fault and there's nothing you could have done to prevent the problems. You all did an exemplary job. When you do fundraising - there are always people who complain, though usually not many. As they say - no good deed goes unpunished

;)

[EFerrari]

45. LOL! I just wanted us to be able to enjoy what we did.

DUers ROCK!

[juajen]

62. Thank you Beth for your excellent fundraising

I'm sending good thoughts Andy's way. He's a swell person and so are the many people who aided him in this trying time.

Juanita

[Lydia Leftcoast]

30. Thanks for the update, Skinner

And prayers for Andy O8)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

31. Thank you Skinner for this Great Post! Here's to Andy's speedy recovery!

[In_The_Wind]

32. Thank You Skinner

[Tsiyu]

34. Well, Praise the Lord

and Pass the Get Well Wishes! :)

[Flying Dream Blues]

35. Thank you, Skinner!

I have loved this site for a long time. I haven't known all that much about you personally, so as difficult as this situation has been, I'm grateful for the opportunity it has given me to see the integrity, wisdom and strength of character that you have. (all the more impressive in a young pup like yourself...I've seen the picture!) :)

Being part of helping Andy has renewed my faith in what people who come together can achieve. I am really proud to be a part of this DU community, and grateful for what it gives me every day. So, thank you Skinner! :bounce:

So, here's wishing Andy a speedy recovery, and a long and healthy life to Andy AND DU!

:grouphug:

[SmokingJacket]

36. Thanks!

I think you guys handled this well. It's a shame about the trolls, but I suppose that's the nature of the medium.

All best wishes to Andy and Termite!!

SJ

[OzarkDem]

37. Prayers for Andy

Thanks, Skinner. Job well done in a difficult situation. Can you keep us posted when he gets out?

[dzika]

38. Well Said.

Thanks Skinner!

[halobeam]

40. Get Well Soon Andy

You have a team of people routing for your speedy recovery!

[johnaries]

41. Thank you, Skinner! I think you handled this whole "episode" very well,

under the circumstances.

Here's pulling for Andy!

[dogindia]

42. kick for andy.

Thank you skinner.

[mzmolly]

43. This should be pinned. Thanks for the update!

:hi:

Prayers and positive thoughts to you Andy.

[greatauntoftriplets]

44. Thanks, Skinner.

I am about to call Termite to see if there is news yet.

[greatauntoftriplets]

47. Update -- I just talked to Termite.

Six hours after the surgery began, Andy is still in the OR. He is doing fine through the surgery and Termite has been informed that they got the entire tumor. Bev is on its way to pathology.

No word yet on how much longer.

[Stephanie]

48. oh that is great news!

thanks!

[dogindia]

50. maybe start a new thread GAOT

great news.!!!!!

[Raksha]

52. Thanks for the update on Andy! n/t

[question everything]

49. Thank you, Skinner, for keeping on top of this

and for navigating DU through the troubled water with steady hand and assured manners.

[Raksha]

51. Skinner, thanks for your sensitive handling of a difficult situation.

Nobody could have done it better, and most administrators couldn't have done it as well. My hopes and prayers are with Andy as always.

[deutsey]

53. Johns Hopkins is on the scam...don't you see?

:evilgrin:

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Seriously, I wish Andy all the best and a very speedy recovery. :thumbsup:

[EFerrari]

55. Yeah, the biggest hospital in the world is IN ON IT!

:rofl:

[liberalnurse]

58. I NEW IT.....

I had my suspicions.......hospitals are gutting America....

Oh Pooh....I don't joke effectively do I?????????

I'm too damn serious....

:spank:


I'm on pins and needles today....The battle has begun.:pals:

We all need to pull together for the long hall.

[WilliamPitt]

59. THIS IS HUGH!!!111

[Desertrose]

94. who is Hugh??

oh...maybe you mean huge??

:hide:


So glad Andy has finally gotten the surgery! :)

[Spiffarino]

124. In case others aren't in on the joke....

Here's the thread that started it all:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=1915079#top

[Desertrose]

130. D'OH!

(Don't hang around in the lounge.....)

Hugh...mmmm...nice.....

[bleever]

106. LOL.

Thanks Will!

A good laugh with my warmed heart.

[EFerrari]

67. This was a big step. And it looks like it went very well.

:toast:

[ewagner]

54. Get well soon Andy

and thank you Skinner!

[StaggerLee]

56. Yay!

The sooner Andy's in the sooner he'll be OUT and on the road to recovery!

:woohoo:

[Runcible Spoon]

57. sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

my gut told me Andy's condition was serious and he needed our help, though it's nice to have one's instinct verified. Good luck Andy! :hug:

[Book Lover]

60. Thank you Skinner

for bringing everyone up to speed. Best of luck to Andy.

[Old and In the Way]

61. Well handled Skinner! And very best to Andy for a speedy recovery.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

63. Remarkable group, you Duers

Take a bow, all of you .............

[coffeenap]

64. Goodboy reports on other thread surgery OVER!!! Andy ok.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EFerrari]

72. I can answer that: yes. And Skinner has the doctor's statement

that explicitly names the type of cancer, pancreatic.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EFerrari]

77. Skinner has the doctor's statement that was provided to the

Hirshberg Foundation in application for their grant. Why someone would need more than Agi Hirshberg and her Foundation require, I don't know. Maybe PMing Skinner with your concerns would be a good strategy. :)

[Kelvin Mace]

96. For some odd reasons

some folks thought a cancerous tumor in the pancreas was not pancreatic cancer.

Go figure.

[merh]

66. thank you!

:toast:

[FizzFuzz]

68. Thank you!

It would be nice if people who have some 'pologizing to do would be big enough to do so.

Yeah, that sounded a little preachy, but I'm a big believer in taking responsability, admitting one's wrongs, making amends. Shows character and great courage, IMO. I kind of stopped following the messiness, though. Maybe people already did this. If so, I salute you and offer hugs.

anyway, Skinner and everyone, thank you!

Sending more good vibes, for Andy and all of us.

[ultraist]

69. Any word?

How is Andy doing?

[sunnystarr]

70. Thanks for the update...

I've been sending my prayers along with all of yours ... with all that energy coming his way he'll be doing cartwheels in no time. :)

[donheld]

71. Best Wishes Andy

O8)

[VelmaD]

73. Thanks Skinner, for helping clear the air on this

And get well Andy. :)

[Career Prole]

75. Thanks, Skinner!

Get well Andy, 'kay?
:woohoo:

[Window]

76. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Andy.

Thanks for the update Skinner. DU is the best!

[bettyellen]

78. He's out after 7 hours and groggy........

the docs say please leave him be- no phone calls until saturday.

[liberalnurse]

92. That is excellent advice.....

He is the scarry phase now. Anyone who has never experienced surgery, ever and undergoes a Whipple......well it's like a man having a baby.

[burrowowl]

126. Here is a link

on Whipple for the uninformed:

http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/tumor/pancreasdiseases/web%20pages/pancreas%20resection/whipple%20operation.html

[suffragette]

120. Thanks for the update bettyellen

Give him a big hug from me if you go down to see him.
:hug:

[Nothing Without Hope]

79. UPDATE FROM BRADBLOG - Andy's in Recovery after 7.5 hours of surgery

http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001418.htm
Word on Andy Stephenson...

I've received word from Johns Hopkins where our friend Andy Stephenson, who has been tireless for years in his efforts to fight Election Fraud in this country, has just completed 7.5 hours of surgery.

He has come through the surgery successfully and his tumor was removed. He is currently in Recovery and on his way to Intensive Care shortly.

I have been asked to keep further details of the surgery and his further prognosis private as of now. It has been requested, however, that I pass along the news above for those who are concerned about him, and, as well, to ask everyone to say their prayers for Andy at this time.

Blogged by Brad on 5/25/2005 @ 1:43pm PT...

[cal04]

83. That's great Thanks for the update

thoughts and prayers going out to Andy

:)

[ultraist]

91. Thanks for the update!

Great news his surgery was successful.

[KitSileya]

80. Thank you for your good work.

I haven't commented on the whole debacle before, but I want to commend you for your adroit handling of the matter.

And I have Andy in my prayers. I hope everything goes well.

[BlondieK143]

81. Thank you!

Best of luck to Andy in his recovery process!

[kaygore]

82. Thank you for being so generous

We are all praying and sending positive energy to Andy.

[BobMorr]

84. Thanks Skinner

Prayers being sent for Andy. Hope for a speedy recovery!

[Nothing Without Hope]

85. I'VE STARTED A NEW THREAD now that Andy's out of surgery.

It has the Bradblog announcement that he's in Recovery and mentions bettyellen's statement that the doctors want no phone calls to Andy for now.

The new thread is here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3728740#3728862
Thread title: "Update from BradBlog - Andy Stephenson in Recovery after 7.5 hours surgery"

[Jack Rabbit]

86. Thank you, Skinner

!!

[MissB]

87. Thank you Skinner

A wise and wonderful man are you. *yoda off*

[mogster]

88. Thanks Skinner, and good luck, Andy :-)

Things solved, and even the most inquiring minds should have their curiosity satisfied by now :)

This calls for a beer! :toast:

[cally]

89. Good news!

Recover quickly, Andy! I'm glad you are out of surgery.

Thanks Skinner for the update.

[Ilsa]

90. Thank you so much Skinner!

We appreciate this update on our friend. Good news all around!

[Warren DeMontague]

93. Right on. Thanks. To Andy: Get well soon, sir.

You don't want to endure hospital food any longer than you have to!

Here's to a speedy recovery.

[Desertrose]

95. Thanks, Skinner & ((hugs)) to Andy

well, ok, :hug: when he feels up to it :)

DR

[ghostsofgiants]

97. Good to hear, hope all goes well for Andy

Best wishes to Andy and kudos to everyone who helped him out.

[Liberal_Andy]

98. Good luck and hang in there, Andy!

:thumbsup:

[warrior1]

99. Get well soon Andy

Mary

[Vadem]

100. Thanks, Skinner! You handled the whole thing so professionally....

we are so happy for Andy and pray for his speedy recovery!


:bounce:

[Goldmund]

101. Thanks very much.

[Domitan]

102. I wish Andy the very best

I'm also heartened to know that this is genuine. During my 10 years on the net, I've seen so many false scenarios played out (e.g., faked deaths, dramas, and so on). Very pleased to know that it's not the case here at all.

[tsuki]

103. He still need our good thoughts and wishes. Chemo can be a

nightmare, but with people who love you with you, it can be gotten through.

[Andromeda]

104. Thanks, Skinner...

Many blessings, Andy--there are lots of folks out here who may not know you personally but think of you as a brother. Get well! :grouphug:

[spooky3]

105. Thanks for providing a place that helped to save Andy.

[bleever]

107. Thank you, Skinner. Such excellent admin. on your part.

What a community. You should be very, very proud.

:thumbsup:

[AuntiBush]

108. I Knew but couldn't say: Heppa. Thanks Skinner.

My family works there. JHH protects your privacy big-time. The mere mention of Heppa stands hair upwards.

[AngryAmish]

109. I told you

naysayers suck it

[spanone]

110. Andy, eat your jello.......thanks Skinner

[Auntie Bush]

111. Blessings to Andy, Skinner,Termite and those wonderful dedicated

collectors. Also thanks to all our generous DU's.

[karlrschneider]

112. Thanks David...I want to get you for Secretary of State some day...

the way you handled this situation has been diplomacy of the highest order. :D

[mvd]

113. Good luck, Andy!

Sending good vibes your way!

[Must_B_Free]

114. Best wishes to Andy S and The Other Andy

[Vektor]

115. Thanks Skinner, and get well soon, Andy! n/t

[AmyDeLune]

116. Get Well Soon! :-) n/t

[BlueIris]

117. I thought we weren't posting about this anymore? Oh, we are?

Okay. Good luck, Andy!

[Henny Penny]

118. Best wishes Andy!

[Skittles]

119. thanks Skinner

I am thinking good thoughts for Andy and his loved ones. :)

[Garth Beaumont]

121. Never doubted

it! I hope he recovers fully!

[sarahlee]

122. Thanks so much

for the update and info.

[SharonRB]

123. Thanks, Skinner

I've been looking all day for a post confirming that he was having his surgery today, as originally scheduled, and totally missed your post up at the top that he had it yesterday. I wish Andy luck and hope everything works out well for him.

[lady lib]

125. I never had any doubts.

Thanks for the update.

[blue northern]

127. Best wishes Andy.

Your political activism has shown us all what a fighter you truly are.
I'm looking forward to reading your posts again once you're feeling up to it.
Until then Godspeed your recovery.

[Misunderestimator]

128. All the best to Andy!

:hug:

[DistressedAmerican]

129. For The Record Fuck The Freepers Who Suggested Otherwise!

Get well soon Andy!

[Name removed]

131. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bunny]

132. See ya.

[Name removed]

133. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bunny]

134. I'd make a suggestion to you, but it's anatomically

impossible. Go crawl back under your rock.

[FizzFuzz]

135. shirley2004, spamming the board

ugly stuff

[Wapsie B]

136. Thanks Skinner. That's good news.

But with HIPPA regs now I'm suprised they would even acknowledge him even being there. Andy must have a release of information or something.

[EFerrari]

137. Fyi, HIIPPA isn't all it's hyped to be. They made a big point

of trying to sell how much harder it is for common folk to get information to distract from the fact that it greases the government's ability to get our information.

Same old same old.

[Wapsie B]

138. You know, I never thought of it that way.

Because they don't even present the other side of the story.

[EFerrari]

139. They're good at what they do. I didn't either until I asked a pro

friend of mine.

[NVMojo]

140. sending major mojo to Andy!!!!

Thanks, Skinner.

[Imalittleteapot]

141. Thanks Skinner - Best to you Andy! n/t

[Maestro]

142. Good luck!

Hoping for the best. Doctors nowadays are capable of incredible feats when it comes to treating what in the past were untreatable diseases. Andy, you will come through and be better than before!

[Penndems]

144. Thank you, Skinner!

I'll definitely keep Andy in my thoughts and prayers.

[GetTheRightVote]

145. I have been off & had not heard about Andy, thank you for posting

:kick:

[KitchenWitch]

146. I am glad this has gotten cleared up!

Thank you Skinner for posting this update.

[spanone]

147. Whew....long surgery.

Post surgery news would be great!

[xxqqqzme]

148. Yea, how's Andy doing?

Anyone talk to him? Don't keep us in suspense....unless it is Andy who will break the silence.......hmmmmmmm?

[benburch]

150. There have been a number of postings already!

Just none in this thread.

The Search feature will find them for you.

[Name removed]

151. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tmooses]

152. Thank you very much for the update and clarification. I wish Andy

a speedy recovery and a quick return to the causes we all hold so important.

[ScreamingMeemie]

153. Heal up Andy! I wish I could have given more.

Take care, Laura

[JackieO]

154. BEST WISHES FOR YOUR HEALTH, ANDY!

I hope we get to talk again soon when you are feeling better!

Lot of love to you!

:hug: