'Need an explanation' Thread II

[WilliamPitt]

This is thread one, which is getting pretty huge:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3672828&mesg_id=3672828

First of all, I'm not going to apologize for asking these questions. Something is not right about all this. Let's be clear:

The very-publicly-proclaimed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, which I was personally told of, was changed to a thread-buried diagnosis of pancreatitis. The first is deadly dangerous, the second is very much not.

An enormous amount of money was raised in rapid fashion based on the aforementioned first diagnosis. For those who say 'Big deal' about the money raised, understand that it isn't about the money itself, nor is it about 'my ego.'

The organizations I work for, plus a whole bunch of organizations I have never heard of, took 'pancreatic cancer' and raised it to the rooftops. I am getting frightened PMs and emails from representatives of these organizations.

It isn't about the money. It is about the ability of these organizations to fundraise for important causes we all believe in. If this situation is not on the level, the ability for those organizations to do their good work is now imperiled. That hurts each and every one of us.

I believe Andy is sick, and I believe he needs treatment. I believe the compassion showed by DUers and others in rallying to his aid was and remains one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen.

But, based on the aforementioned concerns, I need to know why we were allowed to yell 'pancreatic cancer' and 'Whipple' and 'impending death' from the rooftops for weeks. I need to know why $50,000 was raised for a procedure at Johns Hopkins, when it appears now the diagnosed ailment could have been treated on the cheap in Seattle.

I need to know why I've been allowed to believe Andy was dying, why I was not told that this wasn't the case. Hell, a part of me is massively relieved...but the rest of me is badly hurt and deeply confused. I have called Andy my friend. Friends usually tell friends when they are no longer dying. I never heard that, and had to read it buried in a thread. If you need a personal impetus for my posts, you can have that.

This could all be a vast miscommunication. If so, if all this is on the up-and-up and it is just a matter of a bunch of wires getting crossed, then I will take whatever rap is coming for stirring up a hornet's nest. But I am not going to apologize. Anyone who thinks this is just about me does not appreciate the scope of the issue here. Hundreds of people, a bunch of important organizations and dozens of important causes are on the hook with this.

To answer the question of why I didn't talk to Andy, all I can say is this. I did talk to Andy. Dozens of times. It was from him first that I got the pancreatic cancer/Whipple/Johns Hopkins thing. It was from him first that I got the death-is-impending messages. Dozens of times. It was talking to Andy that started this, and right now, I am not at all comfortable going to Andy for confirmation of anything.

The pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the death-is-impending statements, the need to have all that money and the need for Johns Hopkins were all very publicly proclaimed. The hysteria to get it done was propelled in no small part by threads and posts from Andy himself. Therefore, a demand for an accounting of the vast discrepancies must also be public.

[cestpaspossible]

1. Why ask us?

we don't have the answers to your questions. If all you wanted to was air your concerns in public, you did that with the first thread. Why the followup?

[paula777]

2. Isn't it possible that the original hospital made a mis-diagnosis

and once he got to John Hopkins they found out the problem was something different entirely?

[WilliamPitt]

9. If that is the case

Why have there been no threads started announcing the great news? Why did I not get any phone calls? It sounds to me like this information has been in hand for a while now.

[knowbody0]

3. by now Andy is aware of what is happening on DU

so, he must be able to offer, as proof, a copy of the diagnosis and of its recommended treatment

[DS1]

4. I just want to know the absolute verfiable truth either way

Why that makes me a trolling freeper scumbag whose hands may someday wear Andy's blood is beyond me, but I hope you have better luck dealing with the lynchmob that's headed your way.

:thumbsup:

[bicentennial_baby]

5. cancer diagnoses are not simple matters

as many DUers tried to explain to you on the other thread. It can take much time and many doctors to get to the accurate diagnosis, especially where the pancreas is concerned. I agree with others though, that DU is NOT the place to do this, simply b/c DUers don't know the answers to your questions. If you're unwilling to talk to Andy, then I don't know what to tell ya...

[elehhhhna]

6. Will, hysteria on AS's part might be a factor--the patient can get

stuck seeing only a worst-case scenario. Cripes, I was ready to give my jewery away after a bad pap smear.

Tumor, pancreas, etc. Medicine is an art and a science & it sounds like there's no confirming anything 'til the surgeon gets in there.

Let's hope for the best--intentions, outcomes--until we KNOW otherwise.

[MuseRider]

7. I will say this one more time

and then drop out of it.

One of the wonderful, kind people who have been helping Andy needs to become his advocate. Someone he trusts to collect, understand and diseminate the information. THIS will be the only way to avoid all the confusion.

Andy does not need to worry with this now.

Will has every right to ask, he helped a lot and put himself and his organizations out there for Andy.

This became more than a personal story and it can't be made one now.

Medicine is not an exact science no matter how much everyone wants it to be so things will ebb and flow and change from time to time.

This is no time to be a Will person or an Andy person. They are both good people. One needed help and the other followed through BIG time and now needs answers. We need to see this as a good faith follow up. Both men are important to us and both deserve respect and this will not get better by bashing around on one or the other.

FWIW that is all I have to say on this.

[crispini]

8. Will, this thread is even worse than the last one.

Why are you publicly pillorying Andy?

You write, "I am not at all comfortable going to Andy for confirmation of anything."

Dude, I do dozens of things each day I am not "comfortable" doing but you know what -- I suck it up and DO it.

Be a man, Will. Call Andy or Termite and talk to him, don't sit here posting harangues on internet message boards and airing your grievances in public when you don't even know the entire story from the horse's mouth.

Edited to add: I have no problem with your QUESTIONS. I have a problem with the way you are handling your questions. Capiche?

[DemBeans]

10. I can't believe you've started another thread on this

Who here can offer a resolution to this? All this thread will do is create more infighting, more bad feelings, more speculation without facts.

"I am getting frightened PMs and emails from representatives of these organizations." Really? Let's see them, since they form the basis of your complaint. Let's doubt your veracity in public and demand proof, okay?

This is so...stupid. Ask him, not us.

[Mojorabbit]

11. You saw the results of

the test he posted. It said tumor. This is not pancreatitis. Look it up.
I personally think you should be ashamed of yourself and my opinion of you has vastly changed by the way you have handled this.

[EarlG]

12. Locking

Please see...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3672828#3674150