KILLING MY SISTER - WE ARE PROTESTING - HELP US

[Th1onein]

Mods, please don't move this post. I know it's not in the activist section, but there's so little time left now, we need it to reach as many people as possible. We desperately need help.

Fellow DUers:

My sister, Andrea Clarke, is at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, TX. St. Luke's is located at:

6720 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX. Their phone number is: 832-355-1000.

The hospital ethics committee met the day before yesterday and concluded that Andrea's treatment (respirator and dialysis) should be discontinued. We have ten days to move her from that hospital or they will "pull the plug" and let Andrea die. Andrea, until a few days ago, when the physicians decided to increase her pain medication and anesthetize her into unconsciousness, was fully able to make her own medical decisions and had decided that she wanted life saving treatment until she dies naturally. We have learned that this is part of the process, when hospitals decided to declare the "medical futility" of continueing treatment for a patient. But, this is not a Terry Schiavo case; not anything like it. Andrea, when she is not medicated into unconsciousness (and even when she is, and the medication has worn off to some degree) is aware and cognizant. She has suffered no brain damage to the parts of her brain responsible for thought and reason, or speech. She has only suffered loss of some motor control. The reason that the physician gave to medicate her so much is that she is suffering from intractable pain in the sacral region (in other words, she has a bedsore that causes her pain). This is not reason enough, in our books, and we are trying, as we speak, to get Andrea's medication lowered so that she can speak to us.

There is also some disagreement as to whether Andrea is really in that much pain, as well. When she is not medicated to this degree, and she sees her son, Charles, she smiles. She also mouths words (Andrea is very vocal, normally, even with a trach, and asks for food, etc., when she is not medicated to the gills). Once again, this is not like the Shiavo case, where there was brain death. Andrea has voiced her wishes, over and over again, and if she were not on so much pain medication, she would voice them again.

Houston hospitals have a policy in that once the medical treatment of a patient has been deemed "medically futile" no other hospital in the area will accept transfer of that patient to their facility. This means that the patient, who is usually in a very delicate condition anyway, has to be transported over a long distance, in order to receive care.

We received notice of the ethics committee decision the day before yesterday and we are organizing a protest to take place tomorrow, at 2-2:30pm outside St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. Our family members number four and we will all be there, but we need more people. Please help us.

This protest is very likely to be filmed and get news coverage.

For those of you who will reply to this post with more questions, please see my other posts on this topic. I have done my best to answer all of your questions, but as you can imagine, my mind is not working as efficiently as it should, because I am upset. I assure you this is real; this is happening, and in Texas, medical professionals have the right, under the Futile Care Law, to discontinue life saving treatment, under these circumstances, even while the patient and the family is protesting that action. If you need more information, please see my other posts on this topic. For now, we need help, not questions or suggestions as to further courses of action. We are fighting on all fronts, ie., lawyers, news media, churches, internet, etc. We have left no stone unturned in this battle.

Many, many people, even some medical professionals in Texas, and other areas, don't know about this law. They have no idea that this can be done, and it is is being done every day in Texas hospitals, but is not covered by the news media. This needs to become common knowledge and this law needs to be overturned, of course, but we are fighting for the life of our sister. We are fighting to see that her wishes about how she lives, and how she dies, are honored. Perhaps these kinds of battles are fought in just this way, one by one, out of love, and this is how the war is won, in the end.

Please help us. Please lend your presence to our fight at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, located at 6720 Bertner Ave. at 2-2:30pm CST tomorrow (Saturday). If you would like to bring a sign, please do so, because we only have a limited amount. If you don't, then please just bring yourself.

My name is Melanie Childers and my cell phone number is: 832-221-0897
My sister (not the one in the hospital, but the one handling the protest) is Lanore Dixon and her numbers are: (cell) 214-577-8160 and 254-874-5296. Please do not call us unless you are calling to request some information that I have not posted here. We have our phones glued to our heads, trying to find a hospital that will take Andrea, before her ten days are up at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. I am posting these numbers only to show you that this is not some kind of scam, or a joke or something even more idiotic.

Please help us.

[coffeenap]

1. kick

[cantstandbush]

156. Where the fuck are the RW funddies and Bushbots when there is NO

political point to be made? They could use their influence BEHIND the scenes. I do hope that one of the DEM leaders gets on this. Call Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson or Imus. I don't even care about the ethnicity of the patient but these people I have just named will take on the powers for a case like this.

[philosophie_en_rose]

187. Where are the Houston Democrats?

HCDP Headquarters:
1445 North Loop West
(East of IBEW Bldg.)
Suite 110
Houston, TX 77008

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]


Please send them messages.


(Counting on Repubs to be consistent is highly unlikely, but here are some emails from google to try - http://www.diogh.org/socialjustice_justiceandpeace.htm; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail])

[Tigress DEM]

235. Who CARES WHO? Just pester anyone and everyone. VOLUME!

It is a law that allows the hospitals to make life and death decisons based on the almighty dollar. Tell EVERYONE.

[novalib]

2. I'm Not in Texas......

but is there some way I can help you?

This sounds so terrible -- I'd like to do SOMETHING.

[The Witch]

3. K&R for family, not committee, making these choices.

:grouphug:

[titoresque]

4. I'm so sorry

I hope you get all the help your family needs right now.
:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

5. All I can do is help get this on the Greatest Page....

Have you contacted Big Media? Like CNN, MSNBC?
If we can get this on the front page, maybe the bigshots will see it, and think they should cover the story.

My best to you and your family. I wish I could do more for you. :hug:

[The Doctor.]

137. Where the hell are the "pro-life" people?

She should call Randall Terry to whip his folks up over this and maybe just once they can do something actually useful!

I mean it!

Call Randall Terry

-And see if these otherwise hypocritical maniacs can be put to good use in changing a law in Texas, signed by BUSH, That we can all agree sucks ass.

Call the pro-life people and test the sincerity of their 'beliefs'.

I know the woman is not 'an issue', but if ever there were a time to make this an issue, now - when doing so could make a real difference, is the time.

[The Doctor.]

138. CALL RANDALL TERRY!

[knitter4democracy]

193. They're helping the family.

They have gotten involved. We need more of them, but the weekend is hampering things.

[Muttley]

226. I know of at least one pro-life group trying to save her

Well, as a pro-life libertarian, (small l, not the whackjobs like my wife with the capital L), I'm trying to find things that I can do to help save her. I don't believe that the hospital should be able to make that call against the wishes of her legal custodians (her family), and I do not believe that the law should stand the way it is. I am looking for ways to help. Any ideas?

By the way - the people over at Right Wing News are also working hard on this. So, basically, it's just the relative minority who still like Bush who aren't getting all up in arms over this.

[Pale Blue Dot]

6. Good luck. I'm sending good vibes.

I would beg you, for your own safety and your ability to use your phones, to please remove your phone numbers. Not everyone who will see them is a good person. We believe you. :hug:

[Benhurst]

7. I'm so sorry. I'm in NC so I guess there is little I can do other than

recommend this so that other Texans will see it. Recommended.

[shireen]

8. i'm so sorry to hear that... is it the hospital or the insurance company?!

This sounds more like the insurance company pulling the strings, masquerading as the ethics board. You should contact some credible medical ethicists to review your sister's case, and if they are willing to support you, hire a lawyer to sue the hospital and insurance company.

Hang in there ... my thoughts are with you.

(edited to modify subject line)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

68. This is a law that the Shrub signed while governor...

and it's MURDER.

I wish I could help :cry:

[acmavm]

9. This is terrible. Someone should e-mail bush**. He came back

from vacation during the Shiavo incident, didn't he?

Can the hospital be reached by e-mail?

[rateyes]

11. Bush is the one who SIGNED that

damned law. He's a damned hypocrite when it comes to this issue. He won't lift a finger to help unless somehow the press makes it a political option to do so.

[acmavm]

20. When? When he was governor of Texas or as pResident?

Either way that makes his out to be the biggest rat bastard hypocrite on the face of the earth.

[knitter4democracy]

24. When he was governor.

Yeah, he's pro-life. :eyes:

[lostnfound]

57. Here's a story about another woman killed under this law in Texas

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/12/14/151930/63

A legal immigrant whose only wish was that her mother be at her side when she died.
The hospital overrode the wishes of the family.

[rateyes]

134. Governor. nt

[mark11727]

10. My prayers are with you and _both_ your sisters...

...I never, ever say things like that, Melanie, but this just hit me hard.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

(Also :kick:ed this thread, if that's any help)

[rateyes]

12. K & R....

and prayers from Georgia.

[rodeodance]

13. sounds like you'd have to move out of Tx (and then reassess what the

heck is going on.


...My name is Melanie Childers and my cell phone number is: 832-221-0897
My sister (not the one in the hospital, but the one handling the protest) is Lanore Dixon and her numbers are: (cell) 214-577-8160 and 254-874-5296. Please do not call us unless you are calling to request some information that I have not posted here. We have our phones glued to our heads, trying to find a hospital that will take Andrea, before her ten days are up at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. I am posting these numbers only to show you that this is not some kind of scam, or a joke or something even more idiotic.

[acmejack]

14. KnR

[DrBloodmoney]

15. You need legal representation... fast.

A court-ordered injunction to get a second opinion.

[rateyes]

16. Do you have a lawyer? nt

I'll check the other thread to see if you've answered that question.

[knitter4democracy]

17. Why the heck does she have a bedsore?!???!?!?!!

Those incompetent idiots. There is no reason for that. None at all.

This is disgusting. They just don't want an expensive, high-needs patient taking up a bed. That's what this is all about.

[Tigress DEM]

236. They needed an excuse to overmedicate her and off her. So...

they could keep up their profit margin. She can talk and protest being removed from support when she isn't overmedicated. They had to shut her up.

[rateyes]

18. I e-mailed this link to viewer services at MSNBC....

hope it helps. I do recommend that you get legal counsel on this right away. This coming from a layperson.

[RevCheesehead]

21. I just e-mailed it to Keith Olbermann's staff.

Please, let SOMEONE cover it!

[H2O Man]

23. Good idea.

We should all do this.

[jeanarrett]

19. K & R

[zbdent]

22. To all . . . we should send this plea out to all our RW "friends" who

blasted us about Terri Schiavo, and love to send us the crap about how evil the liberals are . . .

[knitter4democracy]

25. I'm doing what I can.

I e-mailed this to the local PNHP chapter doctor, who may or may not help out. I e-mailed it to a huge pro-lifer I know who knows many in the top leadership (friend from college who feels strongly about this). I've called an editor at AMNews to see if they'd cover it to get this out in the medical community. I'm trying to think of any contacts we might have there, but I can't think of any.

[knitter4democracy]

26. Update

I talked with the Director of Nursing (the CEO is away today on business), and she was entirely unaware of the case at all. Typical. :eyes: Anyway, she was shocked herself, and she's going to look into it and possibly call. Hospitals don't like bad PR or to get sued (and this does sound like a malpractice case, as bedsores are not the medical standard of care), and they'll often do about anything to make sure that doesn't happen.

[Bridget Burke]

27. Most hospitals have "ethicists" on staff....

Plus patient advocates. So try to see who else at St Luke's might be able to help.

Do contact all local media, plus any national ones that you can.

I've heard about this law, but end of life issues are generally handled differently. The patient's wishes are considered, even if they are partially conscious. And the patient's family's wishs are also important. This sounds very wrong.

[knitter4democracy]

41. The chair of the ethics committee did this.

He's the problem.

[jbnow]

28. Previous posts

The poster noted go to those for more information, so I searched for some to make it easier, including some key information in them

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=938985
Apr-15
1. We have contacted other facilities. It is a long process and no one is willing to take her.

2. She is cognizant and able to communicate that she wants to live.

3. We would agree to withdraw life support if she were not cognizant.

4. She has insurance and it is paying for her care.

5. We have tried to get a second opinion, but we are getting the runaround trying to find a doctor to give us one. We call them, we ask them to come and see her, they tell us that her current doctor must call them. The current doctor never calls them, but just calls us and tells us that we need to get another doctor.

6. She is in St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, TX.

7. This is the third time we have been told that she is "terminal" (although we've never been faced with an ethics committee until now). Other times, we have been told that and she recovered and got out of the hospital and went on with her life. We can't help but question what is going on right now.

8. I don't want your opinion on whether we should unplug my sister or not. I am simply asking for your help in getting this out onto other blogs and into the mainstream news.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=738256
Mar-23-06
We want her left on life support, not because this is an easy decision for us, but because it is what she made very clear to us, while she could be clear. We, in turn, made this very clear to the docs.

Now, she has insurance, and her insurance is paying for her care. Money is not the problem. The problem is that the doctors feel that her prognosis is dismal and that she is in too much pain to have any quality of life.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=751913
March 25
Let me make this very clear to you all: If this ethics committee meets and they think that there is a medical futility, then even if the family disagrees or EVEN IF THE PATIENT IS RESPONSIVE AND DISAGREES, they can discontinue treatment. Period.

My sister is RESPONSIVE. She knows what is going on and she is able to communicate by eye blinks her wishes. She does not want to die.

[brainshrub]

145. Something I don't understand:

I apologize for my ignorance, but there is something I don't understand:

I thought the Texas law said that they could only pull the plug once the money ran out? Has Andrea Clarke's insurance run out or is is about to run out?

Can the family afford the copayment? (For example: 20% of $500,000 for medical care would break most families.)

Does the families financial situation have anything to do with this?

[Mnemosyne]

29. I am praying things go your sister's way Th1onein.

This is a complete outrage. I'm sorry your family has to face this, it should never happen.

It's all I can offer, in Pa. and broke.:hug:

Please keep us informed.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

30. DUers : DO THIS NOW!!

Here are some nunmbers of city officials who we can contact who should be made aware of the situation. Andrea needs big wigs and media if she is going to be helped.

Just called the Mayor's office and got his fax number. Everyone should print out Melanie's post and FAX IT TO THE MAYOR asking him to please look into the situation.

Mayor Bill White
City of Houston
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251

PHONE: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OFFICE 611 Walker, 20th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Kym King,
Executive Director
713.837.9041
The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities acts as a public advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities and issues affecting them. The office provides assistance through information and referral services, support services for the Commission on Disabilities, and information on planning and enhancing programs for people with disabilities. The Citizens' Assistance Line is 713.837.9061. TTY number is 713.837.9040.


CITIZENS' ASSISTANCE OFFICE 900 Bagby, Public Level
Houston, TX 77002
Richard Cantú, Director
713.247.2907

The Mayor's Citizens' Assistance Office provides 10 satellite offices in the community and one located in City Hall Annex to address citizens' concerns. The Mission of the Mayor's Citizens' Assistance Office (MCAO) is to improve the quality of life for all Houstonians by promoting efficient and effective city services, encouraging community involvement and participation, handling individual citizens' concerns, and supporting neighborhood revitalization efforts throughout the City of Houston.

[Baby Snooks]

31. Sheila Jackson Lee

If you haven't done so, I would contact Sheila Jackson Lee's office. She is usually very responsive to these situations and manages to get the attention of the media which in turn brings it to the public's attention. Her office might also be able to find an attorney willing to represent your sister.

Houston office: 713-655-0050.

Washington office: 713-225-3816.

Someone needs to finally challenge the law and protect life instead of profits. What these situations always inevitably come down to. Someone determining that continuing life is no longer profitable for the hospital. And then using an "ethics committee" to justify it.

[javadu]

32. An Idea --- Maybe a Bad One

Mods --- please delete this post if it is inappropriate or damaging to the cause. Have you considered posting this request on the Free Republic? The only reason I am making the suggestion is that the media seems to be much more responsive to bushbots these days. Is this a bad idea?

[bamapachyderm]

204. NOT a bad idea

I don't know if it's on FR yet, but a bunch of us on the right are picking this up on our blogs now. Maybe I'll post it at FR too, but I'm not a regular there so I doubt it would even be noticed. (I don't do forums.)

I gotta laugh about the media being "responsive to Bushbots." Maybe they'll respond to a bunch of pissed-off pro-life activists, though.
;)

[Tigress DEM]

237. Yeah, good hearted, bad idea. WE DON'T NEED THEM to DO IT for us.

WE NEED US to DO IT for Andrea. Whenever I do a media deal from a post in DU, I quote the current number of registered users at DU as an example of how many people there are who think this is a big deal or who would want to know the facts depending on the subject matter.

The Media DOES respond to US if WE BOMBARD THEM. IT HAS to be HUGE, Though. But if 80,000 of us could do any ONE thing, we'd cause the Media and ALL the powers that be to sit up and take notice.

[myrna minx]

33. I cannot be there,

but my prayers are with you and your family. :cry: :hug:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

34. kicking...

[Hell Hath No Fury]

35. And again...

[Hell Hath No Fury]

36. Let's keep this...

on the top of GD so everyone can see.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

37. I'm working it....

:)

[Th1onein]

39. TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE REPLIED TO THIS POST

Thank you for your kind words and your help. Thank you for not letting this thread get locked by letting it degenerate into flames.

For those of you who have suggested contacting other outlets, such as the news media, St. Luke's, congressmen/women, please do that for us? Please contact these people. My sister, Lanore, and I are trying to get another hospital to take Andrea right now, and we have our hands full with that. We are protesting tomorrow and that meet-up for the protest will take place between 2-2:30pm CST in front of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, TX. That doesn't mean that the protest will last only thirty minutes, but that people who want to add their presence to the protest have between 2pm-2:20pm to GATHER for the protest.

Please kick this thread or nominate it, so that it can be more readily seen by everyone.

Melanie Childers

On edit: I am sorry if I am making some mistakes in this post (I see that it is already in the "greatest" section). I am just not thinking real clearly right now.

[H2O Man]

40. Keep fighting, Melanie.

And we'll keep things going on this end.

[lostnfound]

56. I've contacted KPFT News, they may (or may not) get something on at 5

or 5:30. Good luck and thanks for taking my call this afternoon.

I HATE this stupid law and was just telling an outraged coworker about it yesterday, he had no clue, and he is against all forms of euthanasia, so this (hospital-mandated) was a shocker for him.

[lostnfound]

66. They did put it on the KPFT news!

It was on at 5:25 and they did a "this just in" blurb at the end, describing the case, mentioning the protest, and referring people to Houston Indymedia for more details. (There's now a short feature on Indymedia.)

[knitter4democracy]

71. Yay!

That makes it more likely for the Houston Chronicle to pick up the story. I talked with an editor there, and he's forwarding this whole thread to a couple of reporters to see if they'll do the story tomorrow.

[sandnsea]

87. Link, everyone should spread this story

http://houston.indymedia.org/

[file83]

38. Kick, I'm forwarding this to a media person in Texas....

I hope it helps. Good luck. My heart is with your family during this horrible time.

[PetraPooh]

42. Medically futile, doesn't that relate to the fact that she has a terminal

heart condition? Seems this was finally brought out in one of the other threads you mentioned. It also seems like you had ten days the last time, so I am gathering that you managed to get the ethics committee to at least reconsider. ALSO in one of the other threads, you mentioned getting a lawyer, what was his/her response. Also, you were given links to all sorts of sites that helped with Terry Schiavo and others, what did they say. Sorry, but harrassing a medical facility without more information just isn't something I want to be a part of; because while it might help your sister, though from what I've read so far it probably won't help for long; it would be a huge disservice to those other patients at the hospital that aren't terminal who will receive less quality care as the staff deals with this onslaught.

[Bridget Burke]

43. An "onslaught" would not bother those doing patient care.

Only the suits in the front office would have to deal with it.

Just as a patient has the right to refuse artificial means of life support, they also have the right to request those means as long as possible. Life is precious, even if there are just a few more days left.

If St Luke's has "another side" of the story to tell--they should be encouraged to do so.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

44. Kicking...

Melainie.

[Iowa]

76. Kicking for Melanie, Andrea, and their family...

[knitter4democracy]

93. Her medical condition doesn't sound totally ominous.

I just talked more with Melanie tonight. I don't want to get into all of the medical history, but there are unresolved issues, and sicker patients make it out of the unit all the time. She's not brain dead, she doesn't seem to be circling the drain, and we need to do all we can.

[Tigress DEM]

234. But the WOMAN DOESN'T WANT TO DIE.

How can you live with yourself saying it isn't worth your time and arguing like a freeper when a person's life is at stake? Not to mention the callusnous of ripping a person out of her grieving family's hands before they can even get a valid second opinion. Hospice, something.

What exactly DO you find important? I'm sure the poor, poor hospital's fragile nerves are much more important than a person's life to you.

[lavenderdiva]

45. Melanie, cat_girl25 has posted a link to your thread in the Texas forum

here is the link to her linked thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=180&topic_id=30973&mesg_id=30973

There are many people from the Houston area, and surrounding areas, who check the Texas forum regularly. It is one of the busiest forums here on DU. There are many activists who post there, who have contacts within the community, and can help you-

You, your sister, and your family are in my prayers.

[yorkiemommie1]

46. kicking

and wishing your sister and the family all the best.

[lostnfound]

47. I've posted on Houston Indymedia. Any other Houston sites to put it on?

I spoke to Th1onein to get permission, and she okayed it. (I did however delete the phone numbers from the Indymedia post so that she won't be bothered by lunatic trolls.)

[AzDar]

48. KIck..(and all the best to you and your family). n/t

[Ilsa]

49. Mel, I'm down in

Victoria, and I wish I could help, but my son has been trying to scratch the eyes out of other children at school, and we are worried to the point where my colon is getting spastic. If we weren't dealing with this shit called autism, I'd be there to help you.

Peace to you and your family. I hope houston media gets all over it, Also, try the TXN network in Fort Worth for some statewide coverage of the laws here.

This law is so wrong for so many cases.

[conflictgirl]

50. I'm not in Texas. How can I help?

I hope that doesn't sound snarky. I genuinely want to help and I am willing to do whatever possible from another state.

I am so sorry for your family. I'll be keeping you and yours in my thoughts. :hug:

[Th1onein]

53. Call the national news media and the cable media

Get some coverage for this. If the hospital gets negative publicity, maybe they'll give us more time. We are working very hard to find a medical facility to take over Andrea's care, but Houston area hospitals follow a policy that if one hospital in the area has deemed treatment "medically futile" then no other hospital in that area will take that patient.

If worse comes to worse and they discontinue treatment for my sister and she dies, at least this kind of behavior on the part of hospitals in Texas might be stopped.

I feel like I've entered the twilight zone. I just can't believe that they are doing this.

[shance]

51. I've emailed the info to my Houston friends.

n/t

[Horse with no Name]

52. Here are some ideas on facilities to accept her--try all in Texas

http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/MapQuest/AllFacilitiesPage.asp#TX

Dubuis Long Term Acute Care Hospital 2600 St. Michael Drive Texarkana, TX 75503
Phone [phone]

Cornerstone Hospital of Austin
4207 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78756
[phone]
For Directions, Click Here

Cornerstone Hospital of Austin @ St. David’s
1005 E. 32nd Street
Austin, Texas 78705
[phone]
For Directions, Click Here

Cornerstone Hospital of Austin @ N. Austin Medical Center
12221 N. Mopac Expressway
Austin, Texas 78758
[phone]

http://www.lifecare-hospitals.com/

http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/main.html

If you aren't successful finding placement with these, send me a PM and I will find you some more.
Good luck!

[Horse with no Name]

54. Here are more (sorry if dups)

Compass Hospital
14743 Jones Maltsberger Road
San Antonio, Texas 78247
[phone]
http://www.psysolutions.com/facilities/compass/

Promise Specialty Hospital of San Antonio
7400 Barlite Blvd
San Antonio, Texas 78224
[phone]
http://promisehealthcare.com/profile_factsheet.asp?ID=7

San Antonio Specialty Hosptial
8026 Wurzbach, Suite 2W
San Antonio, Texas 78229
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.lifecare-hospitals.com/Our_Hospitals_SanAntonio.htm

Select Specialty Hospital
111 Dallas Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
[phone]
http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/sshprog.asp

Specialty Hospital of San Antonio
7310 Oak Manor Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78229
[phone]
http://www.thicare.com/corporate/Healthcare_Center_locator/facility_page.aspx?id=192

Texas Center for Infectious Diseases
2303 SE Military Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78223
[phone] or (800) TEX-LUNG
[e-mail]
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/tcid/services.shtm


Hidalgo County
LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas
333 W Freddy Gonzalez Drive
Edinburg, Texas 78539
[phone] or [phone]
http://lifecare-hospitals.com/Our_Hospitals_SouthTexas.htm

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas
2001 S M Street
McAllen, Texas 78503
[phone] or [phone]
http://www.lifecare-hospitals.com/Our_Hospitals_SouthTexas.htm


Nueces County
Corpus Christi Specialty Hospital
1310 Third Street
Corpus Christi, Texas 78404
[phone]

Dubuis Hospital of Corpus Christi
600 Elizabeth St., 3rd Floor
Corpus Christi, Texas 78404
[phone]
http://www.dubuis.org/locations-CRP.html

Kindred Hospital
6226 Saratoga Blvd
Corpus Christi, Texas 78414
[phone]
http://www.khcorpuschristi.com/BuildPage.asp?Pageid=53

[Horse with no Name]

55. And if you get through these without any luck

http://www.hospital-data.com/

You can browse through these.
Let me know if you need more.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

58. Keeping it kicked...

make some calls and send some faxes folks!

[knitter4democracy]

59. I talked with an editor at AMNews.

She gave me the direct number for their medical ethics reporter. They had a deadline today, though, so I am pretty sure this won't go anywhere. Still, it's a story they need to do.

[knitter4democracy]

61. Okay, we're getting there!!

I talked with Kevin O'Reilly, the medical ethics reporter at AMNews, and he gave me the number for an editor at the Houston Chronicle. I left a message there about the protest and my contact info for more information. I hope to hear back.

Also, he told me to have you contact the Texas Hospital Association to see who takes in patients in this situation--he's heard that not all hospitals in Texas are behind this law and are accepting patients. He's not sure which hospitals those are, though, but he thought that they'd know.

[knitter4democracy]

69. Update

I just got off the phone with the editor of the Houston Chronicle. He's printing out this thread and giving it to the right reporters at the paper and is going to see if they'll cover this. They might not, but they might. Here's hoping!!

[northamericancitizen]

60. Sending you and your sisters "good vibes" from Canada. eom

[aikoaiko]

62. can you move her?

[Bush_MUST_Go]

64. It's hard to believe things like this can happen in America.

Karma will catch up with bush & it can't happen a moment too soon.

Melanie, you and your sister are in my prayers.

[Iowa]

63. Nominated and kicked. This is unbelievable! Let's keep it kicked.

[fleabert]

65. Kick. this needs to hit Headline News today...nt

[McCamy Taylor]

67. Have you tried Sisters of Charity?

[RamboLiberal]

70. K&R from PA - Wish I could be with you tomorrow

Prayers and good luck getting those idiot bureacrats in TX to listen. Damn * for signing that law.

[Kukesa]

72. Kick from Ohio. And prayers, too. nt

[Slit Skirt]

73. I just tried to contact CNN

through news tips, Anderson 360, headline news, comments....
I keep getting kicked out...is there something wrong with the website?
can someone else get through...they may just pick up the story...
I sent a nasty email not too long ago...maybe my IP is blocked...or maybe they are just down

can someone else try?
this family needs some serious help.

[lumberjack_jeff]

74. F'ing Texas

I live much too far away to offer anything but moral support, good luck to you.

I find it absolutely incredible that the other 49 states allow one which thinks this is okay to be part of the club.

[dysfunctional press]

104. i honestly don't understand why anyone would choose to live there.

what a shithole...civilization-wise.

[Iowa]

75. Kick

[Pushed To The Left]

77. K&R

[faithnotgreed]

78. love and prayers and stunned kick

all into one

thank you to everyone who are helping in whatever ways you can
all our best to your sister and family

stuff like this probably happens all the time and we just dont often hear of it
but now some people will....

[fleabert]

79. kick

[samhsarah]

80. Kick for you and your family, Melanie.

I am in NJ right now, but I will try to do what I can from here. My heart goes out to you and your family.

[Kurovski]

81. Kicked and recommended (nt)

[Pryderi]

82. Funny how you can't find a Terry Schiavo supporter when you need one. K&R

[sandnsea]

92. They helped write this bill

George Bush and right-to-lifers, got together to write a bill because terminal patients are too expensive to take care of.

[Pryderi]

108. They make me sick. I'm so sorry. :(

[knitter4democracy]

130. That wasn't what I heard.

I heard it was the insurance companies that wrote it.

Melanie's gotten a right-to-life attorney working for her, and she's also contacted Michael Moore, which suprised the attorney (she'd only ever heard bad things about him and his staff) but seems to be working out well.

I've got a contact in the Right to Life community, and he's sent this on to some big people he knows. I hope it catches on. In this case, we're all on the same side.

Oh, and Terri Schiavo's parents' attorney was called in for advice, apparently, but all he recommended was making a video, which won't work in this case (they're keeping her too sedated on pain meds to capture what she's really like).

[lavenderdiva]

83. This story is the top news story here in Houston, on Channel 2 KPRC

top story at 10pm... here in Houston....

[knitter4democracy]

84. I can't find it on their site now. nt

[lavenderdiva]

90. its not there. nor is it mentioned on any other local news website...

but believe me, it was the top story on the 10pm Channel 2 news tonight. They interviewed Melanie's brother and sister. St. Luke's gave some lame statement, via letter, in response. At the end of the piece, the reporter said that the family was going to receive help from a right to life group.....

[knitter4democracy]

94. Good. That sounds about right.

I hope this media coverage helps things to happen to save Andrea.

[Th1onein]

91. I wish I could see it. I am out of town right now.

I hope someone who can help us get my sister into another hospital will see it. We are meeting a lot of resistance from the hospital social worker in this regard. She won't talk to either myself or my sister, Lanore. In fact, Lanore called her to give her a list of hospitals to contact (they want to talk to the hospital, first, before they will consider taking Andrea as a patient), and the social worker told Lanore that she had to go through the hospital's attorney; that she wouldn't talk to her. Then, our attorney called her, and she refused to speak with her, once again saying that we have to go through the hospital's attorney.

I called the patient advocate's office and told her that we need another social worker to handle this, but so far I have heard absolutely nothing from them.

This is just crazy. I cannot understand this. I do not understand this. It's unbelievable.

[lavenderdiva]

95. Your sister, you, and your family, are in so many people's prayers...

I was so glad to see the local news picking up on this story. AND it was the TOP story of the 10 o'clock news! There isn't anything on their website about it, but maybe it will be coming...

Is there a way for you family/attorney to get a different social worker on your sister's case? It does sound like you all are trying to get this done, but running into resistance.

please keep checking in on the Texas forum too. cat_girl25 posted your thread over there too, so that more locals can see it, and get their contacts moving on it too. link to Texas forum thread about this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x30973

Another DUer, upthread from those post, mentioned contacting John Edwards about this matter. I know his wife, Elizabeth, posts occasionally here on DU. I don't have any contact information for him, but if someone does, would you please post here, so Melanie can contact him. This matter is RIGHT up his alley. I feel certain he would help you.

I will be praying for you and your sister, and that you would find a new hospital to take your sister immediately. In His Love....

[knitter4democracy]

85. I just got off the phone with Melanie.

She's tired, but she's still mad as hell and going to fight tooth and nail for her sister. What she told me of her sister's medical history says that this has been one horrible thing after another with total incompetents in charge of her sister's care.

We need to keep fighting for her. Does anyone know how to contact John Edwards? What has happened to her sister is medical malpractice of the worst kind, and he might have some resources or know some ways to get her out of that hospital and get her the right kind of care.

I've got some new ideas that will have to wait until Monday when people get back in their offices. I just wish I could do more than just make phone calls. *sigh* This just disgusts me to my core.

[faithnotgreed]

106. can someone pm elizabeth edwards? she is a member here though i

dont know anymore than that

perhaps someone here knows how to contact them

i cant even imagine what melanies sister (and family) have been through
its hard to read your post here without tears
and i dont even want to think about if her poor care this entire time is related to insurance/lack of money

thank you so very much for all youre doing
with this much fight going on good things are bound to happen

much love and peace

[knitter4democracy]

129. I e-mailed her and Mr. Edwards at One America instead.

I'm hoping one of their staff will check the link to here and get the message where it needs to go. I haven't seen Elizabeth on here lately, and I was worried that she wouldn't see it in time.

[faithnotgreed]

167. great - and just for future reference: with pm the recipient is notified

via their email address IF they have selected to be notified when they receive a pm

just in case i wanted to pass that along
thank you so much for contacting them where you thought they would receive it and of course for everything youre doing

[knitter4democracy]

194. Oh, duh!

I completely forgot about that. Hmmm. If I don't hear back in a day or so, I will try that, too.

[bonito]

86. I'm a caregiver for my wife

And am familiar with a ventilator but not with dialysis treatments and we are doing just fine, well, we are a stable train wreck, and thats quite good enough for us. If there is anything you think we can do let us know. Life, Love, God, All the same to me. Peace

[juajen]

88. This is horrible. I hope you get a crowd.

I will pray for your sister.

[eppur_se_muova]

89. Good God -- what ever happend to a SECOND OPINION??

"Houston hospitals have a policy in that once the medical treatment of a patient has been deemed "medically futile" no other hospital in the area will accept transfer of that patient to their facility. This means that the patient, who is usually in a very delicate condition anyway, has to be transported over a long distance, in order to receive care."

This is the product of fascist thinking. Only the most relentlessly anal-retentive, uber-authoritarian control freaks would think this policy makes any sense.

I guess to be an "ethicist" in this system you have to meet a pretty low standard to get hired at all.

[Cobalt Violet]

96. K & R

[Breeze54]

97. I have a friend who is a Nurse in TX and I'm sending this

to her ASAP!!! She's a fighter!!
I know she'll help if she can or she'll get the word out!!
Stay strong!!!
Recommended!
:kick:

[Breeze54]

171. My RN friend replied this morning....

Her response:

"Wow, this is the first I've heard of this story. If a patient is able to voice their wishes, they are not allowed to do anything that doesn't honor those wishes. I wonder if she has an advance directive or living will. They MUST follow those.

My hospital is in dallas which is a 4 hour drive from Houston. I think the only way to get her this far would be by care flight. And, the transferring hospital would have to make the arrangements. I will have to talk to some supervisors at work to see what they say about something like this. There are several hospitals in Houston and many long term care facilities but those don't perform dialysis which she obviously needs.

Hmmm, i'll have to get back to you on this one."

She will make those calls or talk to them at work, if she hasn't done so already!
;)

[knitter4democracy]

195. All right!!!

Now, that's progress! I'm going to call a doctor I know in the Dallas area tomorrow and see if she can think of anything to do, too.

It sounds like they really need some medical people on their side questioning the diagnosis. There is no question, after reading the law for myself, that they're breaking the law. Melanie told me that the lawyer is working on that and on a couple of other things to stop the hospital. They should work, too.

[Breeze54]

197. OKAY!! She replied again....

Here's her response....

"Posted: Today, at 7:47 am
I called one of the supevisors yesterday who oversees transports.
He didn't know anything about this either.....how sad is that?
He was going to make some calls and let me know what he found out.
I have not heard back yet. Any new news on your end?
I still have yet to hear about this on the news or local papers."
_________________
FEINGOLD FOR PREZ!!!

-------------------------------------------
So?? As my friend asked; Any updates?
I'm guessing the shit will hit the fan on Monday!!
That's when all the administrators return to work!

Here's hoping it's a big fan...

[knitter4democracy]

200. Now if they can just get St. Luke's to release Andrea.

The family has found facilities that would take her, and the hospital (mostly the attending and social worker) have ruined it every time, either by exaggerating her level of care (they told one place that she needed constant dialysis when she doesn't) or just by not doing the discharge paperwork as required by law.

I hope the lawyer's going to kick some butt today.

[nofurylike]

98. sending chants and prayers. recommend and kick. eom

[nofurylike]

99. please hang in there. so many care, so much, Melanie! eom

[nofurylike]

100. kick

[Blue_Tires]

101. ttt n/t

[nofurylike]

102. please let us know as things happen? peace! eom

[Th1onein]

107. I promise I will.

Thank God for people like you. You are helping so much to get this out there, so people know what's going on. Just please, the job is not done yet, so help us continue to fight. We're not giving up.

Melanie

[nofurylike]

115. thank you! and i hope there will be a much better place for your dear

sister! maybe one of the places some caring DUers linked in this thread?
we'll being chanting and praying for you, all. and anything else we can think to do!

your sister is blessed to have you


peace!!

[nofurylike]

103. kick. will keep sending chants and prayers. g'night. peace! eom

[nofurylike]

105. one more kick. eom

[Kurovski]

109. Kick(nt)

[Hissyspit]

110. time to kick again n/t

[Liberty Belle]

111. Can someone reach Cindy Sheehan & the crowd in Crawford, Tx?

Cindy brought her posse to help hurricane victims; maybe she could help here, too by drawing media attention to this terrible injustice!

:kick:

[Kurovski]

112. Kick(nt)

[Appalachian_American]

113. Get Tom Delay involved. It would give him a chance to show everyone

what a good Christian man he is.

[DanCa]

114. Kick and I empathise with your situation.

I have young onset parkinsons and no ones god or government has the right to tell me how to treat my ailment. I am not in Texas but you have my sincerest prayers and thoughts. The government has no right involving themselves with peoples medical decision. Hang in there, Danny.

[msgadget]

116. ...

:kick:

[Breeze54]

117. I'll see that kick and

raise it!
:)
:kick:

[msgadget]

118. One good deed

deserves another :kick:

[54anickel]

127. ..

[msgadget]

153. I see your '...'

and raise ya one :kick:

[Breeze54]

169. Ok, lol, here... I double that!!

:kick: :kick:

[msgadget]

172. Hey,

take THIS: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: AND a :dem:

[Breeze54]

173. He,he,he!!

Yeah...LIKE THAT!!!!
:rofl:

:kick: times TEN!!! LOL!

[msgadget]

188. Oh yeah? Well I got SPRINGS!

:bounce: :bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce: to infinity (and beyond!)

(Have there been more recent updates?)

[54anickel]

180. Ditto...I'm the quiet type.

[Kurovski]

119. Kick(nt)

[Hekate]

120. K&R. Peace to you and your family.

May your sister travel on in peace when the time comes; may you all be at peace. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be free. :grouphug:

Hekate

[northofdenali]

121. I can't be there, but I'll gladly help with money for someone

who could, but can't afford the gas/bus trip/whatever.

DU'ers, if you could make it but are restricted for lack of a couple hundred bucks, PM me. I'll help. Somehow, SOMEHOW, we have to help.

In the meantime, my prayers and my heart are there.

If you can get there, but need some bucks for a place to stay, or whatever. Just PM me, ok?

:cry::hug::loveya::pals::hug::grouphug::hug::pals::loveya::hug::cry:

[Kurovski]

123. You are a genius of a sweetie!

I hope someone who is able to make it, but short on funds will take your generous offer.

You might want to make your offer in the Texas forum if you get no response here.

I'm moved by your action, northofdenali. I wonder if you might not inspire others at DU who have extra funds to also help in similar fashion.

:hug:

[fujiyama]

122. Appalling that this could happen in this country

Another K and R.

Hoping for the best.

[OldEurope]

124. Kick and Sorry Can´t do more

[laylah]

125. Please keep us posted!

You, your sister, and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:

Jenn

[donheld]

126. I'm so sorry. I wish I could do more

:hug:

[Cobalt Violet]

128. Kick.

:kick:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

131. I'm so sorry to hear your family is forced to deal with such a thing.

I'm too far away to be there, but would there be any problems with copying your message into an email and start sending it out to everyone in my address book?

If a lot of us did this with a "pass it on" message attached...

Peace.

[Th1onein]

135. Please, yes, do this!

We've got to get this out there so that St. Luke's will give us more time to find a hospital that will accept Andrea.

[TAPat]

132. Kick!

It's hard enough when a loved one is ill, but this... too much -
Our thoughts are with you :grouphug:

[WhoseMarie]

133. Suggestions

The link to this thread was posted on the Randi Rhodes Message Board and so I wanted to copy a response here from one of our members:

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not take this post as an insult, nor as a partisan response. I would suggest that you take this up with the likes of Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, et al. The only reason I say this is because these people seem to have more power with the media than any "Liberal" might have.
Seriously, if the Right had such a problem with Terry Schivo (you all know what I mean) they should be absolutely up in arms about this.
822526

Krikie, I hate to ever refer anyone to those scumbags, but I have to agree. They're the ones who will get the attention for this cause.

And of course, Frist with his extensive knowledge of all such matters (not) should be up in arms as well. I'd recommend contacting his office.

If I were in Texas, I'd be there but alas...I'm in FL and it isn't possible. Best of luck with all of this.

[Th1onein]

136. Will you do this for us, please?

I am so sorry. Usually, with a little time (I am not very computer-savvy), I can do these things myself, but I can't seem to concentrate right now and there are so many other things I have to do.

If you can post this to Hannity, O'Reilly and Frist, our family would be forever grateful to you.

[WhoseMarie]

164. Done

I asked a friend (conservative) who knows what Fox shows might be interested and he sent the info via email to some of them. Maybe it'll help. Maybe they'll read...we can only hope.

[Th1onein]

139. HOW INSURANCE COMPANIES WORK - HOW YOU CAN HELP

When the hospital notified us about the ethics committee meeting, we knew what the outcome would be. We had tried to put off that meeting so that we could have more time to find a hospital that would admit Andrea as a patient, but we were not successful in that regard. We are still trying to find a hospital to take Andrea as a patient. However, none of this would have come about if it were up to the hospital alone.

Andrea's attorney explained it to us this way:

An insurance company negotiates with the hospital how much they will pay for certain services. Say, for instance, someone in the ICU costs $10,000 for treatment per day. The insurance company says to the hospital, "Okay, we will pay you $7500 for you to provide that service to our insured patient."

There's a catch, though. The insurance company will pay the negotiated amount to the hospital, but if a patient goes on and on, needing that service, the insurance company begins making noise. This insured patient is costing them too much; they are losing profit. They begin to put pressure on the hospital to get that patient off of their books. The hospital either does this by getting aggressive with the patient's treatment, getting them well, and discharging them, OR by "pulling the plug" on that patient.

In other words, that patient has now become, in terms of profit, both for the hospital and the insurance company "worth more dead." If that patient continues to receive that intensive care, it costs the hospital in terms of where they stand the next time they negotiate prices with the insurance company. The next time negotiations come up, the insurance company will say, "Hey, we would give you the going rate on an intensive care patient this year, but you gouged us for 90 days on Andrea Clark last year, so we are lowering our starting point for payment to $7000, to make up for it."

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, in my opinion, is heartless and cold, and only concerned about the bottom line. But the insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, is also a party to this kind of thing. That's where the pressure needs to be applied. I am sure Blue Cross Blue Shield is suffering no negative publicity in this battle. But they should.

Most people don't know how this system works. And I wouldn't have known, either, had I not been faced with this horrible situation. Poor Andrea, knowing that her health was delicate, bought supplemental insurance policies right and left--most of which do not cover this type of situation at all (she didn't know--she was just doing her best, to protect herself). The sad thing is that Andrea spent large pieces of her limited income in order to avoid just such a situation, and here she is faced with it anyway.

[knitter4democracy]

141. She might also be getting close to her lifetime cap.

My husband was worried about that when I talked with him this morning. He said that it might be the deciding factor for the hospital--once a patient hits the cap, the insurance company stops paying entirely, and the patient almost never can pay for everything.

He also said this: your attorney needs to get an emergency injunction to stop the pain meds, as they're obviously compromising her care and her health. He said that it probably is the only way at this point. I'll call later in case you don't see this.

[bettyellen]

142. yep doctors and hospitals are not free to dispense care as needed

everything has to be run by the insurance company first.

[BrownOak]

159. They can dispense whatever they want...

but they may not get paid for it.

What a remarkably stupid law this is.

[grannylib]

140. Will be with you in spirit and prayer from Minnesota - blessings.....eom

[knitter4democracy]

143. They're in violation of the law, it seems.

I was just reading the law, and it says that, if the hospital ethics committee decides not to honor a patient's advance directive to stay on any life-sustaining care, they have to:

3) at the time of being so informed, shall be
provided:
(A) a copy of the appropriate statement set forth
in Section 166.052; and
(B) a copy of the registry list of health care
providers and referral groups that have volunteered their readiness
to consider accepting transfer or to assist in locating a provider
willing to accept transfer that is posted on the website maintained
by the Texas Health Care Information Council under Section 166.053;
and


In refusing to find a place to refer her to and actually fighting against it, it looks like they're in violation of the law.

[cap]

144. call the Catholic archdiocese and ask for help

tell them if they could get all worked up over Schiao, they could help out here. If they dont help threaten to go to the press and ask why they insist on being a wing of the Republican party.

[knitter4democracy]

146. Great idea!!

Thanks!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

149. Actually, I just e-mailed the Episcopal Diocese of Texas

(although no one may be in the office on a Saturday).

I also don't know to what extent the hospital is still under the control of the diocese. In many cases, formerly church-related hospitals have been bought out by mega-corporations.

Whatever the case may be, it can't hurt to let the diocese know what's going on.

[dogday]

147. It is posted at Houston Indymedia....

http://houston.indymedia.org/

License to kill? St. Luke's plan to end a life under "Futile Care law"
Protest Saturday at 2 pm: Perhaps under pressure from the insurance company, St. Luke's plans to terminate the life of a 53-year old woman, Andrea Clarke, against the wishes of her family and against her own wishes as stated just a few days ago. Unlike the Terri Schiavo case, Andrea Clarke is NOT brain-dead. Her family wants your help in stopping the state-authorized killing of their loved one.


Whose choice is it to terminate life? Hospitals? Insurance companies? Under a 1999 Texas "Futile Care" law (Text of the law ), signed by then-governor George W. Bush, hospitals can unilaterally decide to "pull the plug". Two people previously allowed to die under this law were 5-month old Sun Hudson and Tirhas Habtegris, both cases against the wishes of the family.

[dogday]

148. I just contacted KPRC and KTRK with the story

hopefully one or both will pick up on this story... I hope so....

[dogday]

151. I just called the hospital

they won't transfer me to the spokesperson of the hospital--they ask for your phone number and tell you she will call... How avoiding is that????

[elehhhhna]

161. leave a mesage as Marvin Zindler...or Joel Osteen!11!!!!!!

desperate times = desperate measures

[BrownOak]

150. Just sent it to a friend at CNN

I'm also in the healthcare industry. If you need help finding a facility email me through the board and I'll see if I can find a facility near you. I have some TX contacts.

[dogday]

152. Great , I sent this to about 25

news agencies last weekend, when she first posted.. I hope someone does something for her.....

[knitter4democracy]

154. They're stonewalling on that.

The doctor is not helping with any transfer, and a social worker is even lying to any hospitals that call up, exaggerating her needed level of care. You'd think they'd be okay with a transfer and help with it, as the law is written, but they're not.

[dogday]

155. I have a number for the Priests house on Chaucer

nobody is answering it, but there is an emergency number... If you would like to talk to the priest on call I quess.....

[knitter4democracy]

157. Well, if this isn't an emergency for a priest, I'm not sure what is.

Can you call him? I will if you PM me the number, but if you have any way to make it personal, that's best.

Thanks!

[knitter4democracy]

166. I left a message. I hope to hear back tonight.

I talked with someone there who then worked out where to direct my call for a message. I hope this works out.

[dogday]

176. Thanks, let me know how that goes

[knitter4democracy]

158. Protest update!`

I've heard that the Houston Chronicle is going to cover the protest and keep on covering the story. Now that they've picked it up, we have a good chance of the AP doing it and spreading it around. Yay!

For all DUers in the area: don't forget that the protest starts around 2 and will go on as long as possible. It's going to be in front of the hospital, so bring signs and comfy gear. Oh, and it's also sounding like there will be TV and radio news people there, too.

The more press on this, the better the chance that the hospital will either reverse its decision or finally comply with the law and work to transfer her.

[elehhhhna]

160. SIGN IDEAS: Liberals For Life! & LIFE! Not just for fetuses anymore!

[msgadget]

162. Good ideas!

THIS is pro-life!

and

Bush is NOT pro-life!

[Th1onein]

163. UPDATE

We need more people out in front of that hospital. The local news stations have come out and interviewed my family and we also have some friends of the family, friends of Andrea, and people who have lost loved ones in the same manner to St. Luke's Episcopal, but we need more people! Please, please, if you live in the Houston-Galveston area, come to 6720 Bertner Ave., and lend your body to our protest!

[msgadget]

189. What's the latest news??

[AirmensMom]

165. Kick.

:kick:

[Race4Peace]

168. whatever you do, DONT give up!

This has to get as circulated as we can. maybe even get some of our moles into FR to get them up on this("where are the Pro-lifers when you need 'em?"), and keep this in the media cuz this is IN THE PREZ'S OWN STATE!

[WiseButAngrySara]

170. K&R & Let's get this to MAJOR MEDIA! The ongoing hypocrisy of B*

makes me furious enough to consider murder!

[DesEtoiles]

174. I just called the hospital and thoroughly blessed them out

[dogday]

175. I have seen you on channel 11 and channel 2

still waiting to see if ABC picked it up... Hospital won't make a comment, something about the family needs to sign confidentiality statement??? Hospital is basically mute...

[DesEtoiles]

182. kick

[ploppy]

177. Kick

n/t

[Breeze54]

178. Kick and...

Hang in there!

[SmokingJacket]

179. What a travesty!!!!!

I would have recommended this thread, but I was out of town and now it's too late. But KICK!

[graywarrior]

181. Kick.

[DesEtoiles]

183. Contact John O'Quinn's office - plaintiff's atty and he is a badass

http://www.oqlaw.com/


Also, he's a Dem.

[DesEtoiles]

184. or try Dick DeGuerin - very high profile Houston litigation atty

His stature alone will get you some stroke with the Hospital.

[Judi Lynn]

185. Kick:

:kick:

[Samantha]

186. Tomorow is Sunday

Does anyone know how to contact ministers who preach on the radio Sunday mornings? People in the South listen to radio ministers religiously, and if there's anyway of getting this info on the Sunday morning ministry shows, that would get some people involved....

This is a heartbreaking story.

What about publishing an open letter to Perry to intervene?

[Oversea Visitor]

190. kick

:kick:

[knitter4democracy]

192. I tried a couple.

I used to be Nazarene, so I left messages with a couple of the pastors of some of the bigger ones in the area. I haven't heard back from them. I'm going to try them tomorrow, too.

[Mnemosyne]

191. I hope things are progressing well.

:kick: for Andrea!

[WhoseMarie]

196. Is there a status Sunday evening?

I had a friend (who is active on conservative boards) try to get some info thru to some of the players in the Conservative media but was told that O'Reilly (1) had the foxnews mail bounce back and (2) only would accept email on his site if you PAID to be a member.

Is there a status for this evening? Any news to report?

[Breeze54]

198. ANY NEWS?????????

:kick:

Please keep this kicked everyone!
TY.

[Cobalt Violet]

199. Kick.

[RevCheesehead]

201. Any updates lately?

I've been praying for you (y'all) all weekend, and I sincerely hope that something has opened up.

:hug:

[bamapachyderm]

202. Wingnuts are on it too

Hi,

I'm a "repug" and I just registered with DU to help with this--I'm not a troll.

I just emailed Not Dead Yet, a disability activist group. I think they might be able to help with this.

From their contacts page:

Not Dead Yet
7521 Madison St
Forest Park, IL 60130
Voice: 708-209-1500
Fax: [phone]
TTY: 708-209-1826
Cell: 708-420-0539
Email Diane Coleman at [e-mail]
Email Stephen Drake at [e-mail]

Also, ProLife Blogs is following this, as is Right Wing News (and me, of course). Probably many others, but I haven't looked yet.

Melanie, I wish we had known sooner so we could have marshaled people to the hospital on Saturday. I hope there was a good turnout anyway!

For all~ I know some people will be asshats and bring politics into this, but this is a human life. Please, if y'all ever hear about stuff like this, do let "us" know. You know how organized the pro-life movement is, and there's no pro-life activist who would let a human being die just because someone from the DU (or elsewhere) asked for help. OK? And I am fully aware that many (most?) want nothing to do with us "wingnuts" but hey, this is something we can all agree on, and that's much better than spewing venom at each other.

Will someone please keep those of us on the other side of the aisle updated?

[bamapachyderm]

203. Not Dead Yet

I already got a response from Not Dead Yet--

We just put in a call to our Texas NDY organizer - who knows about this
"futile care" crap and hopefully we'll get him connected with this woman.

Thanks!

--Stephen

Stephen Drake
Research Analyst
Not Dead Yet
7521 Madison St.
Forest Park, IL 60130
708-209-1500
http://www.notdeadyet.org

[luckylady]

207. Another wingnut here

And no, I'm not trolling either.

I've been doing what I can to get the word out. Thanks for making a ruckus about this.

Prayers here for Melanie, Andrea and their family.

[bamapachyderm]

209. The story is spreading

Thanks, luckylady. :)

Word's getting around--this has made the Memeorandum page, and I expect Technorati will (eventually) get around to finding all the blog posts.

[Suich]

213. New thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1017296

Thanks and welcome!

[bamapachyderm]

217. thanks! n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

211. That's very nice of you

Peace
:hi:

[knitter4democracy]

218. I contacted my friend in Right to Life.

He's gotten Priests for Life, Terri Schiavo's parents and their foundation, and another right-to-life leaning gazette editor to take this up.

You're right that we need to reach out to each other when we have common ground. We all agree on this one, and we need to work together.

[bamapachyderm]

221. Excellent!

:yourock:

[knitter4democracy]

222. I don't.

I just know the one contact, and he's just as sick as we are about this.

I'm calling everyone I can think of.

[Muttley]

227. What can I do?

[Muttley]

228. What can I do? (This time, WITH the post I intended to add.)

So, mental note. Don't hit the enter key while in the subject line.

ANYWAY - since we, for a change, are all on the same side here (it seems), what else can we do to save this woman? (I'm a novice to the whole "activism" thing, so I don't have a lot of contacts.)

[knitter4democracy]

231. We have to get more media coverage.

Can you call your local paper and give them a heads-up on the story? They might cover it--heck, the Michael Moore and Right to Life people working together is enough to make it top national news, I would think. ;)

Can you contact the bigger media outlets with e-mail and phone calls to get them to cover it? You'd be suprised how many stories happen that way.

You can also call up the hospital and keep pressuring them, but I'm getting the impression that they're circling the wagons and won't listen to anyone anymore.

[bamapachyderm]

230. There's a new post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1017296

I'd PM you, but I'm a n00b here too. :)

[Wickerman]

219. Thanks, Bama

:hi:

[Crunchy Frog]

232. God bless you and the other "wingnuts".

Welcome to DU, and thanks for the recognition of our common humanity. :grouphug:

[bamapachyderm]

233. Right back at ya!

:grouphug:

[shance]

205. A friend of mine from Houston said she read about this in the Chronicle.

I will see if I can track down the article.

[incapsulated]

206. Any Updates?

This is awful. :(

[DearAbby]

208. KICK...any news?

Thanks to those from the other side of the street, helping :)

[bamapachyderm]

210. Abby

Thank you! :)

And thanks for kicking--I'm a n00b and can't do it yet!

[Th1onein]

212. We don't know anything yet.

Our attorney is hoping to buy us more time by going to court, but we don't know how successful that will be. I am getting really scared now. Dear God, please help us. Someone please help us. Don't let this happen.

How, in God's name, can ANYONE call this "compassionate"?

[bamapachyderm]

216. it's not compassionate

AT ALL. These bio"ethicists" are insane, deciding whose life is "worth" living or not.

Melanie, is Not Dead Yet helping with this yet? They are very familiar with this stupid bureaucratic "futility" law. What may have appeared OK in theory with this law has turned out to be horrifying when applied in reality. I'll nag them if you don't hear from them.

You can email me if you need to; my email address is at my blog (just a warning: you'll probably hate my blog otherwise!). ;)

[DearAbby]

225. Kick!

[mduffy31]

214. Kick

I just want to say I hope that everything is going well. I am a nurse and have been involved with similar situations at the hospital that I worked at.

Now on another note this is what the fucking pukes on some right wing blog that has picked up the story have posted as a comment about what is going on:

Knowing DU, it could be said within reason that they would stoop to such a low at best as a sick joke and at worst wantint to score points. Unfortunately I have to take the skeptics' points to heart because DU does stoop to such lows and have done so for years now.

:wtf: :grr:

Here is another gem:

I think there is a strong chance that this whole story is a hoax, designed to embarass George Bush and continue the relentless march to impeach him. The sister reporting the case is reported to be in California, while she is also reported to be at a protest which occurred on Saturday. She reports all the press is at the protest on Saturday, but there are zero press reports on the case. The "pull the plug" law, which they say was signed by George Bush is simply a law on advance directives (medical powers of attorney and DNR orders). They say they have no lawyer but there is a lawyer, suddenly. While there are numerous posts on the case at the DU site, there are no left wing blogs which have picked up the story. In short, if this is true it is a terrible thing, but I think there is an equal chance it is all made up. Either way, it's troubling, but try a little Googling, and you will see what I mean. I would proceed with a little caution.

...and this I think is my favorite one:

I'd rather apologize for passing along a "hoax" than apologize for ignoring a woman who may die.

And are you surprised that the left wing blogs haven't done anything? This is an issue pro-lifers care about; therefore, they won't touch it. Nevermind there's a human life involved. If you look at Melanie Childers' post from last month about her sister, you'll see what a bunch of sick, soulless animals the DUers are.

It's a shame she's a regular at DU and felt most comfortable asking them for help, because that's about the last bunch of people who would show any real concern for her sister's right to live.

Now the last excerpt was put up by someone who I thought was being reasonable, I will give her credit for putting the story out there, but why the attack later? This is the kind of shit I know that I am tired of. No one can get together on anything anymore.

[bamapachyderm]

215. mea culpa

Yes, that was me, and I apologize for it. Why the attack? I had just read Melanie's post from last month and I was pissed. (I still find the comments in the old thread distressing, at best, but I'd rather not make that an issue.)

FTR, I do NOT think it's a hoax, which is why I used the scare-quotes. I'm surprised anyone would think someone would make up something about their own sister for the purpose of political points (wtf?).

[mdmc]

220. welcome to DU

My prayers are with this family and with all at DU that are trying to help this family in their time of need.

[librechik]

223. Have you contacted Michael Moore? His new movie is about health care

and I know that awhile back he was looking for stories of abuse to include.

God bless you and yours.

[DiverDave]

224. Any News?

God damn them to hell....there is a special place for those muderers....

Sun Hudson was killed by these assholes, now they want to do it again?

[bamapachyderm]

229. NEW POST

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1017296