KILLING MY SISTER - UPDATE - AND THANK YOU

[Th1onein]

Dear Fellow DUers:

Some of you might remember my posting on DU about my sister, Andrea Clark, for whom St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston was threatening to terminate care. Andrea would have died had St. Luke's been successful. Because of DU and others, Andrea is now being transferred to a facility in Chicago, Illinois. They have no futile care law in Chicago, so Andrea will be okay there.

Andrea is now showing some signs of improvement, although slight. She has endocarditis, which takes about four months, at best, to resolve itself. It's going to be a long road back for her, if she makes it, but I want to thank the mods here and Skinner, for helping us to get the word out.

I have to tell you, too, that the right to life people were with us on this all the way. And we never made a secret of the fact that we were Democrats, either. They are an absolutely formidable force. I don't know what we would have done without them. They pinned St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital to the wall with calls, emails, blogs, radio interviews, etc. St. Luke's is so utterly happy to get my sister out of that hospital ALIVE, if it weren't so tragic, it would be almost comical.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that this had a happy outcome, and express our family's thanks for your help.

(And Carina (KnitterforDemocracy) a special thank you for all of your kind and generous support. You are absolutely wonderful.)

[pitohui]

1. good to hear it

i was wondering what was decided

endocarditis can certainly be beaten and i wish your sister the best of health v. soon

[babylonsister]

2. BLESS Andrea, your family, and everyone involved!

I am glad about the happy outcome!

[Erika]

3. So glad your sister will get her wishes on her death

I hope the right to life people target laws which prohibit care from those who can't pay.

[uppityperson]

4. Glad to hear it, good luck to her and you all

I did a quick googlesearch last night and found a bunch of right to lifer groups who were up in arms about this, saying "even though those libruls are supporting this, we should also". Things are complicated, but most of all we are glad that Andrea is doing better and she will get the care she needs to stay alive.

[ananda]

80. This is not a political faction case...

... it's a human case.

Politics has nothing to do with what's right... humanly.

Sue

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. Wow, great result. Good luck.

[hlthe2b]

6. I'm very happy for you Th10nein, your sister, and family...

I hope you'll forgive me one question: I'm happy that the "right to life folks" came through. It would have been incredibly difficult to reconcile had they turned their back on you.

My question though, is whether the press reported and thus the "right to life folks" realized that it was a law that George W. Bush* personally signed into law that allowed this chain of events to happen? Do they realize Bush* hypocrisy on this? What, if anything was said about this?

Sorry to divert to the political side momentarily. The emphasis, should of course be on your sister and celebration of your efforts. Best wishes to you all.

[Th1onein]

30. They don't talk much about Bush being responsible for this law.

We didn't either. We were happy for the support that they gave to us. We didn't want to pick a fight with anyone who was there for us so wholeheartedly. And they didn't either.

We are all human and we were joined in our humanity against this horrible thing that is called "Medical Futility." I was very impressed with the basic decency of these people. Maybe we all listen to the Rush Limbaughs of this world too much, you know?

[Ex Lion Tamer]

60. Good point

I tried to make the same point in a thread a few weeks ago. We need to be careful not to lump all conservatives together. I know a lot of "pro-life" people who are not crazy. It's just that the crazies are so numerous and visible.

[nofurylike]

7. excellent! thank you for telling us, Melanie! be well, all of you! eom

[Suich]

8. This is wonderful news!!!

I'm so happy Andrea is able to get out of Texas! Best wishes to all of you...you're in my thoughts and prayers

:grouphug:

[Hissyspit]

9. Thank you for the update! n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Thank you. Your sisteer is in our thoughts.

[Neil Lisst]

11. congratulations!! that's great news!

[nonconformist]

12. Great news!! I'm so happy for you and your family. nt

[DesEtoiles]

13. St. Luke's behavior is reprehensible

[Hawkeye-X]

16. Yes, and Dr. Ron Giveon should face an inquiry at the least...

Going on vacation and unavaliable after he decreed Andrea futile? At best, he should have his medical license yanked. I certainly don't want a quack practicing medicine.

[knitter4democracy]

42. I agree.

I don't say it often, but that doctor needs to be reported to the state medical board and hauled before a jury of his peers to explain how he let her deteriorate to the level she did and then turn his back on her.

[RWBPatriot]

90. The scary thing is...

socialized medicine this happens all the time. The Doctors work a forty hour week and that's it. If they have a vacation scheduled, they take the vacation and to hell with the patients. And they will not be in contact with the hospital or the nurses. There has to be an better way. Has to.

[Dora]

128. WTH kind of response is that?

We don't have socialized medicine, this situation was not about socialized medicine, the only remotely politicized element in this unhappy affair is the Right to Life issue, and even that was non-partisan. And ultimately, this sad situation has been resolved in the best interest for all those involved.

Welcome to DU. Sheesh.
:eyes:

[Ken Burch]

145. You'd think a hospital named after the alleged author of a Gospel

Would try to be, well, I dunno, CHRISTIAN...

But then, that's just me.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. That is wonderful news!!!! Please keep us posted on how things are going.

:grouphug:

[virgdem]

15. Thanks for the good news...

I'm very happy to hear that your sister will be getting the care that she so desperately needs. From the ridiculous (Texas) to the sublime (Illinois) it seems. I hope her condition continues to improve with each day.

[Iowa]

17. Great! And thank you for providing an update.

[caligirl]

18. What a great ending to a scarry story. A big high five!!

[amitten]

19. Right to life means just that...right to life.

A true right-to-life advocate isn't just anti-abortion. They are anti-war, anti-death penalty, anti-pulling the plug...even anti-hunting.

Many anti-abortion fundie type zanies have shown the world only that narrow side of the right-to-life movement. And most of them are not truly right-to-life...they are simply anti-abortion.

I am right-to-life as I oppose any and all forms of killing, of creatures born and unborn. A life is all one gets coming into this world, and I'll be damned if anyone has the right to take that one thing without consent. Your sister is no exception.

I am truly happy for you and your sister...and I wish you continued health and happiness.

[SeattleGirl]

20. I am so happy to hear your news, and that Andrea is getting

the continued care she needs. Thank you for the update, and I wish all the best for Andrea, you, and your family.

:grouphug:

[nicknameless]

21. Thank you for this wonderful news

Your sister is so lucky to have you.
As Doctor Bernie Siegel says, there is no such thing as "false hope". There is only "false No hope".

Never Give Up.

:grouphug:

[Maddy McCall]

22. Great news.

I'm very happy to hear this. I've worried so much about it.

:hug:

[roguevalley]

23. Bless you and yours, honey.

[Control-Z]

24. That's great news!

Keep us posted on her progress. Hugs to you and your sister and her son and, well, hugs to the whole family.

[Hekate]

25. I am so very happy for you all. Now whatever happens will be...

...in accordance with your sister's wishes, God willing.

I hope that your sister, who is obviously loved by you and the rest of her family, will be able to regain some quality of life as her pain and medication are both reduced.

Blessings,

Hekate

[bamapachyderm]

26. WONDERFUL news!

Thank YOU so much for sharing the good news with everyone. What a RELIEF! :party:


And thanks to everyone else here for allowing me (a wingnut) to be here. I'll stay out of your hair.
But PLEASE let me/us know if I/we can help with other things like this too, OK? It's a good feeling when we're all on the same side.
:grouphug:

[Oversea Visitor]

28. Hey

:hug:
When people work together GREAT THINGS happen.

Thank You for your help to another follow human being.

As a complete neutral position person on this site

I say

" US people need lots of healing, too many unneccessary divide, not good for the country, feel much better to acheive great things together then tearing each other to pieces, You still have a Country to save."

[bamapachyderm]

33. *smooch*

:hug:

[knitter4democracy]

43. Why not stick around?

You're more than welcome to stay around. :D

You know, I have more faith in the future of our country in seeing that we can all set aside our differences and work together when it gets important.

[blondeatlast]

52. We masy be on the same side more often than you know.

Give us half a chance, and speaking for myself, I'll give you one!

Regardless, THANK YOU for your help on Andrea's behalf.

[bamapachyderm]

116. I'm sure we are

When this is finally resolved (see update below...ugh!!!), the next things on my list are alternative fuels, better fuel efficiency for cars, and tax cuts for telecommuting. It doesn't matter if we're doing it for the environment or the part of me that dies a little inside every time I put gas in my car--knowing it's going to some oil sheik that hates us and funds terror groups--or any other reason. We really do need to work together to get this country OFF the oil habit.

:)

[faithnotgreed]

138. well said... thank you

[liberalla]

27. What a relief to hear this news!

Your sister has been on my mind so much. Now she will have a chance to win her battle and recover as she should. This is my hope and prayer for her.

[Ecumenist]

29. Thank God that your sister is given a chance to resume

her life. I will pray for her and I'm sure that there are many DU'ers who are sending good wishes and thoughts for you and your family.

[qanda]

31. Oh, I am happy for you and your family

[Peter Frank]

32. Immensely relieved for the well being of your loved one...

... also relieved for the emotional well being of America (with all its fractions (no I didn't say "factions").

[bowens43]

34. I'm very happy for you and your family.

I hope that all comes ut well for your sister.

Peace

[The Witch]

35. Oh, thank God.

I was really, really hoping this would work out for you guys -- my tears of relief are real. Hugs to you and yours.

[jbnow]

36. So very glad.

Happy that the Chicago facility is willing to take her, that you all can know you did your best to fulfill her wishes and that you were able to. Glad for everything and everyone that helped you.

Right to Life means many things, some people apply it to an embryo, some see it another way. In a situation like your sister was in we all agree.

I can't imagine your relief. Wishing you all the best.

[sandnsea]

37. Fantastic news!!

Thrilled to hear it. Matters of life and death are personal, family decisions. Best to your sister. :hug:

[Crunchy Frog]

38. I'm so glad for you and your sister.

I hope that she can beat this thing and return to some semblance of normal life. I also hope that you can sue the pants off of St. Luke's, and Dr. Giveon, and that something can be done about that awful law.

[Oversea Visitor]

39. Endocarditis???

Your sister underwent open heart surgery if I remember from your other post in January.
Was she suffering from endocarditis then?

You also say that her brain got damage, was she ok before or after?

For a good read on diease google endocarditis and what it is all about.

[jbnow]

40. Here is a nice news story

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3826053.html

I hadn't thought of the difficulty for all of you to be near her, I'd thought one of you must live there. I hope that works out.

She really has been a fighter, her pioneering heart surgery in the 50's, I bet they didn't expect her to make it then.

I am glad St. Luke's is paying for the transfer but honestly it is the least they can do. I am sorry you all went through this grief.

[knitter4democracy]

46. That's a great story.

It's got everything right and even tries to explain from the doctors' point of view. Well-written and right on.

[knitter4democracy]

41. Thank you, God!

I'm crying--and I never do that. :cry:

I was even starting to lose faith. All my calls over the last few days have been so futile. No one wanted to talk about it or get involved other than to shake their heads and murmur their apologies.

I'm not far from Chicago (well, by a three hour drive or so). Let me know if there's anything else you need.

[femmedem]

44. What wonderful news!

:bounce:

And as far as working with the Right-to-Life folks: that's great, too. Cooperation like that goes a long way towards breaking down the hatred on both sides.

[OhioChick]

45. Great news! I'm happy for all of you. n/t

[elehhhhna]

47. What an incredible relief. GOOD LUCK, ANDREA, GET BETTER!

[Richard Steele]

48. Well this is certainly good news!

Congratulations, Th1onein!

[Blue Diadem]

49. This is wonderful news!

I'm so happy for Andrea, you and your family! :hug:

[izzybeans]

50. This is wonderful news!

[titoresque]

51. I am so happy for you and your family!

:grouphug: Peace and Love to all of you!

[holboz]

53. God Bless you and your sister!

You know, my husband and I have been thinking about moving to Texas but the more I know about the state's laws the more we're inclined to stay where we are! Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick - heaven forbid should one get very sick in TX, eh?

*'s Orwellian "Culture of Life" scares me.

54. this is great, and thanks to the right to life people too

good news.

[lala_rawraw]

55. Thank god!!! My prayers are with you!

[blondeatlast]

56. Wonderful! To everyone who took up Andrea's cause, regardless of the

political motivation, you offered a little insight into a sleazy, hypocritical law--and helped a human being and a family.

THANK YOU ALL!

:patriot:

[alphafemale]

57. Incredible news!

:hug:

[katinmn]

58. So glad to hear this!

Power to the people.:grouphug:

[TBreeze]

59. That's wonderful news!

I'm wishing the best for your sister and your family. :hug:

[Synnical]

61. Great News!

Glad it worked out okay. Hope your sister's condition improves.

[Roland99]

62. St. Luke must be rolling in his grave over his namesake hospital.

So glad your sister will be getting the proper care now!!

[helderheid]

63. Wonderful news!! Now let's make sure it doesn't happen again!

[Dorian Gray]

64. I am SO happy for your family!

This is wonderful news. :)

[Dorian Gray]

65. I am SO happy for your family!

This is wonderful news. :)

[KitchenWitch]

66. I am so glad this worked out for you!

[mdmc]

67. peace and low stress!

glad something better happended. Better then I thought would happen anyway.

[Catherine Vincent]

68. Glad this has worked out for you, your sister and the rest of your family.

I look forward to having this law abolished in Texas and elsewhere.

[jackster]

69. so happy about your sister.....

what wonderful news! Peace and goodwill to all those that worked so hard to make this happen.

And the thought that two opposing groups can work together to save the life of one woman, well that gives me hope. If we could reach across the table like this more often.....

Sometimes it just feels as if the divide is too wide and deep nowadays though

[bigwillq]

70. Best of luck to your sister.

I hope she can improve. Sending my good vibes and thoughts. :hug:

[Cobalt Violet]

71. Very good news.

I hope she has a speedy recovery. :hug:

[elehhhhna]

72. The right-to-lifers did you good,,,i read their blogs and

am grateful to find some common ground...

[DiverDave]

73. GREAT!!, now lets change that law!

this is a BAD LAW, Texas MUST respect the wishes of the patient and family, THEY MUST.

[bamapachyderm]

110. I totally agree! eom

[Tigress DEM]

151. BAD Law is right. nt

[Tigress DEM]

152. Just remind people that *ush put it through.

[Jazz2006]

74. Terrific news!

And all best wishes to your sister and your family. Here's hoping for a swift and complete recovery!

:D

[movie_girl99]

75. Fantastic...i'm so happy for your family n/t

[Gemini Cat]

76. This is great news!

Thanks for the update.
I wish your sister the best! :hug:

[BooScout]

77. Fantastic News!

:grouphug:

[Orangepeel]

78. Excellent! Good job!

you are a great sister!

[hwmnbn]

79. Chicago has some wonderful ......

care giver support resources. PM me if you'd like some specific info. I'm so happy for you and your family. Your dedication to your sister is inspiring. O8)

[area51]

81. This is wonderful news, Th1onein.

:hug:

[JVS]

82. Great

[tblue37]

83. Wouldn't it be funny if the economy of Texas took a nosedive

because people were moving away or not moving to the state out of fear for their lives if they had the misfortune to get sick while in Texas?

[Patiod]

84. What a relief

I've been thinking about you and your sister all week. Glad that people of good will were willig to work hard to go against the Powers That Be at St. Lukes, and that St Luke's saw the Light.

That futility law, as currently being put in practice, seems evil.

[faithnotgreed]

85. that really is wonderful

how it got to this point is certainly beyond me but im so happy for andrea and your entire family
please let us know how she is doing

[sinkingfeeling]

86. Great to hear this news.

[ronnykmarshall]

87. Great news.

Kiss your sister for all of us.

[laheina]

88. I have thought often about your family and your situation.

I am so glad that everything is looking up. Continued prayers for your family and your sister! :loveya:

[knitter4democracy]

89. You're not going to believe this, but St. Luke's is reneging.

They're putting another stone in the way, apparently. I just got this e-mail from Melanie:

St. Luke's is now backing down on their agreement. I
don't have many details right now, but please get this
information out.

Melanie

This just gets me. What the heck are they thinking? Please do what you can to get the word out.

[knitter4democracy]

91. kick to get it back up to the top

Sorry to do a self-kick, but this new update needs to be seen.

[RWBPatriot]

92. Best wishes to you and yours!

Good thoughts coming to your sister and your family!

[incapsulated]

93. I'm very happy to hear this!

Thanks for updating us.

The best of luck to your sister and your family. :hug:

[knitter4democracy]

94. There's a problem.

The hospital is backing out of the agreement. We need to keep the pressure up.

[incapsulated]

95. This is INSANE

What is the fucking problem with just moving her somewhere else??

God! :mad:

[knitter4democracy]

97. Amen to that!!!

I really don't understand them. One of the cardinal rules in medicine is buff and turf--make a patient's chart look great and get them on someone else's patient list or in another facility.

[incapsulated]

98. And their excuse...

Is that she won't be well cared for? They want to kill her! Is this bizzaro world?

I would think they would be happy to have this whole thing go away.

[knitter4democracy]

100. I'm working on it.

I'm hoping we can get her up here.

[bonito]

130. That is total BS

I'm a first hand caregiver, and I can tell you it makes a difference, yes, even better care in the home setting with a committed caregiver than the care available in a hospital.

[knitter4democracy]

96. Melanie e-mailed me again

It's bad.

"This is what happened: St. Luke's contacted the
Chicago facility and they agreed to take Andrea as a
patient. BUT, St. Luke's then told us that the
Chicago facility doesn't have the equipment necessary
to take care of Andrea's medical needs. I can't help
but think that they did this to get the media off of
their backs and maybe let this die down in the press.
They are under intense scrutiny by the right to life
groups, because of this.

Right now, we are trying to get some assurances from
them that they won't withdraw life support from Andrea
on Sunday, but they are not forthcoming with those
assurances.

Melanie"

I'm so pissed off that I'm going to hit the phones now. I have an idea, but I'm not sure it'll work.

[SeattleGirl]

99. What???????

What????? This is unbelievable! Where are Frist, and Bush and all the others who tried to keep Terri alive? If there is something I can do to help with this, let me know.

[progressivebydesign]

118. Ironic that Bush signed the law that is causing this. n/t

[Chimichurri]

101. yay!! What wonderful news!! DU ROCKS!!!!!!!

I'm happy the right to lifers could lend a helping hand. I wish the cons would stop coniving and using them.

[McCamy Taylor]

102. Hypocracy knows no bounds in Texas. Babies w/o $$$ allowed to die

in Texas, at the same time that GOP politicians use their mother's pregnant bodies as political tools to get into office. Texas has a law allowing motorcyclists who do not wear helmets to be denied state funded care (!!!!!). Texas cities like Dallas commonly refuse to fund their public hospitals, denying a safety net to those who have no health insurance.

Anything to save a buck and avoid a state income tax.

[goclark]

103. Prayers!

[fooj]

104. Wonderful news!

:hug:

[Blue Diadem]

105. PLEASE SEE POST 89,94 &96. HOSPITAL IS BACKING OUT

Andrea isn't safe yet folks. I posted in caps to bring attention to it.

[knitter4democracy]

106. Update on that:

"St. Luke's has agreed not to pull Andrea's life support at least until Tuesday. On Tuesday, a committee of doctors from St. Luke's will meet to discuss how to proceed with Andrea's case. Andrea's new doctor--a doctor who shares our values about the sacredness of life--will take over her care on Tuesday and will fight for her right to live."

This is from a reporter I'm in contact with who's working on the story. Also, my hubby is working tonight on seeing if he can take her in up here in Michigan. He's already paged one administrator, and he's going to call the St. Luke's social worker back about getting everything set. I hope the hospital admins here remember that it used to be a Catholic hospital and that most of them say they're Christians.

[Blue Diadem]

107. Oh good..more time is good. A different Dr. is good.

Your DH is one great guy! I hope he's successful.

Bless you knitter4democracy for all you are doing for that family.

[knitter4democracy]

114. I hope he is, too.

He's so tired after a long, hard week, and it's looking like a long weekend with phone calls to everyone at the hospital and the partners of the practice he works for. *sigh* I hope it goes through and is enough.

[bamapachyderm]

112. you & your DH truly are angels

I CAN NOT BELIEVE this is happening!!! How can they screw with people's lives like this?! Not just Andrea's, either--the whole family must be apoplectic at this point! This is outrageous!

I think I'm going to go throw up now. :cry:

[knitter4democracy]

113. I still can't believe it myself and have cried off and on all day.

And I don't even know her. I just think of how I'd feel if it were my mom or my in-laws, and it just makes me ill.

[faithnotgreed]

139. like so many others i want to say thank you

and thank you for all those fighting to honor the wishes of the patient

[progressivebydesign]

117. Just saw the UPDATE... how can they renege??? n/t

[knitter4democracy]

123. The facility can't do dialysis.

She needs dialysis, and the facility they found and did all those press fliers about can't take her.

So, now there are other doctors involved. My hubby's one of them trying to find a place for her.

[bamapachyderm]

119. Everyone: CALL 1-832-355-1000

For St. Luke's Hospital...you'll probably have to leave a message with Media Relations, but keep the pressure on!

[IndyJones]

136. Okay...just saw this.

What should we say? Sorry to be so ignorant, but I want to make sure I'm saying the right things.

[UpInArms]

108. That is truly wonderful news, Th1onein!

I am so glad that your sister will get the care that she needs to get better.

:thumbsup:

:grouphug:

[ClayZ]

109. Good News.... Thanks for the update!

:grouphug:

[PatrioticLeftie]

111. Glad she's alright

[progressivebydesign]

115. That is such WONDERFUL news! I'm so happy for you and Andrea

I applaud everyone here at DU that helped, and to the Right To Life people who demonstrated that all life is important, for that I'm grateful. Please keep us posted... I hope that somehow this exposure has begun the demise of the "futility" law, which is barbaric.

[knitter4democracy]

122. Check the updates--she's not out of the woods yet.

They reneged on their deal, and now everyone's scrambling again.

[juajen]

120. I'm so glad this had a good outcome.

I hope your sister improves.

[xultar]

121. YEA!!! Really we are all right to life.

[knitter4democracy]

124. Check the updates--she's not out of the woods yet.

It's a bit up the thread.

[hwmnbn]

125. Keeping this kicked .......

This is unbelievable. How can St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and its doctors act in such a despicable manner?!? This is beyond me.

Are they saying the facility in Chicago is not equipped with the proper medical technology?!?

I can not believe that.

[progressivebydesign]

126. I just emailed St. Luke with a polite but POINTED letter.

I'm also going to keep this kicked as much as possible this weekend for you. We need to keep the visibility and pressure on this... so that St. Luke's doesn't try anything over the weekend.

[IndyJones]

137. Would you post a copy of your email? Let's get lots of emails and faxes

going there.

[Janice325]

127. Good luck. Sending more positve vibes ya'll's way for a

positive outcome for this situation.
People, please read the ENTIRE THREAD before you post, okay??
Thanks to all of those wonderful folks who are helping in whatever way they can. Nice to know that many of us aren't so different after all.
Is anyone in the MSM reporting on this???
k&r

[Vadem]

129. Oh, Thank G_d! I'm so glad you were able to get her out of that...

fricking hospital in Texas and into a more humane one in IL! Our prayers have been answered! We're praying for your sister's complete recovery! Keep us informed!

[knitter4democracy]

131. She's not out of the woods yet. Check the updates upthread.

It's bad tonight.

[Suich]

132. Check posts #89 and #94.

There's been some changes.

[lostexpectation]

133. Was this a financial thing....?

and not a medical or moral thing?

somebody give us the link to the previous thread I can't search... thanks.

[IndyJones]

134. Can someone "in the know" put together a page of details so that

others here may send a landslide of faxes in our own words to the local media, to the hospital, to Bush, to ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN to get attention on this case??

Just a bullet point outline or a template fax that we can sign our names to or something?

I want to help. Maybe this can help us all to help and get a landslide of attention coming from around the country to put pressure where it is needed!!

[IndyJones]

135. And I'm not local...can you include names, titles, phone numbers, fax

numbers, whatever, so we can do this ASAP?

[bamapachyderm]

141. I've got this

In this (newer) thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1050023

But I'll re-post here too:

It's the weekend, so some of these may be iffy.

Senator John Cornyn
http://cornyn.senate.gov/index.asp?f=contact&lid=1 (scroll down, there's a form)

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison:
http://hutchison.senate.gov/e-mail.htm (scroll down)

They got involved with the Schiavo case, after all. ;)



Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee:
http://www.jacksonlee.house.gov/feedback.cfm?campaign=jacksonlee&type=Let%27s%20Talk
Washington Office
2435 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
[phone]
[phone] Fax

Houston Office
1919 Smith Street
Suite 1180
Houston, Texas 77002
[phone]
[phone] Fax

Heights Office
420 West 19th Street
Houston, Texas 77008
[phone]

Acres Home Office
6719 West Montgomery
Suite 204
Houston, Texas 77091
[phone]



State people--these are important, but it's the WEEKEND:


Rep. Martha Wong (R - Houston), 512-463-0389

Senator Mario Gallegos, District 6 (Harris County/Houston)
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist6/dist6.htm#Form (email)
[phone]
[phone] (fax)


Senator Jon Lindsay, District 7 (Harris County/Houston)
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist7/dist7.htm#Form (email)
[phone]
[phone] (fax)


Houston Mayor Bill White: mayor AT cityofhouston DOT net
PHONE: [phone]

Mayor's Office for People With Disabilities
http://www.houstontx.gov/disabilities/index.html




Governor Perry: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/#contactinfo

Contact the Governor by Mail or Telephone
Telephone

* Citizen's Assistance Hotline: [phone]
(for Texas callers)
* Citizen's Opinion Hotline: [phone]
(for Texas callers)
* Citizen's Assistance and Opinion Hotline: [phone]
(for Austin, Texas and out-of-state callers)
* Office of the Governor Main Switchboard: [phone]
(office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST)
* Citizen's Assistance Telecommunications Device
If you are using a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD), call 711 to reach Relay Texas

Fax

* Office of the Governor Fax: [phone]



And for shits 'n' grins, Kinky Friedman draws a crowd (I think)
http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/misc/contact.html

[Festivito]

140. Notice, when action supports RW, it's top news across country, BUT,

here, where the same action could reflect badly on the RW,
nary a word in MSM.

My best wishes upon your sister, your family and friends.

[bamapachyderm]

142. Houston Chronicle

finally got it.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3828539.html

Excerpt:

Hospital officials would not say how they will proceed with the case, which has ignited passions on Internet message boards and drawn harsh criticism of the law and St. Luke's position.

"I'm so exhausted, I don't know what to think now," said Lanore Dixon, Clark's sister, who has led a campaign to stop the hospital. "It shows how dangerous it is to make decisions under the gun like we did Thursday."

The family and St. Luke's agreed Thursday to transfer Clark to Glenshire Nursing & Rehab Centre, a long-term, acute-care facility in the Chicago suburb of Richton Park. St. Luke's told the family it would pay the entire cost of moving Clark, estimated at about $15,000, but only if the family decided by Thursday.

The deal was canceled Friday after Glenshire doctors realized Clark's condition was too complicated for the level of care they provide.

Thursday's announcement had appeared to defuse the controversy, which has raged in online forums for a week.

St. Luke's was flooded with angry calls about the plan to pull the plug on Clark, whose condition worsened after open-heart surgery in January and bleeding in the brain this month. She is on a respirator and is receiving dialysis.

The conflict dates to April 19, when Dr. Robert Carpenter Jr., chairman of St. Luke's ethics committee, wrote Dixon to say the panel had unanimously agreed with Clark's attending physician that the life-sustaining treatment being provided to her should be discontinued. He wrote that Clark was experiencing "substantial pain and suffering."

Hospital officials hope to hold a meeting of Clark's doctors on Tuesday to reassess her case, Dixon said. Among those present will be Matthew Lenz, a doctor of internal medicine identified by Texas Right to Life as a candidate to take over the case. The group, which is supporting Dixon's efforts to keep her sister on life support, said Lenz does not necessarily agree the case is futile.

It is unclear what might come of the meeting — a short-term extension of Clark's life support and care; the scheduling of a new ethics committee meeting at which Lenz would advocate for Clark; or a complete revocation of plans to discontinue Clark's care.

Jerri Ward, the family's lawyer, expressed unhappiness that St. Luke's lawyers will not commit to any specific extension of the notice they already have given regarding plans to discontinue Clark's life-sustaining care. The state's futile-care law only requires that 10 days' notice be given.

As a result, Ward said she has not ruled out "filing paperwork" in a Harris County court early next week in an attempt to block St. Luke's plans.

[Festivito]

148. Article reads poorly. Of course no mention of Bush's involvement.

Would have made an interesting notation to mention that Bush signed the bill.

Instead they divided the name of law and what the law does into two paragraphs.

Then they went back and forth between the two institutions so the reader has to piece who did what for the self.

Oh, well.

Illinois says case is too complicated. What a shame. But, when the alternative is just to die, that seems weak.

I have to wonder how Texas claims knowing she's experiencing pain and suffering. Sounds too much like a way to justify a difficult decision.

However, I hope the family here feels comfortable with whatever decision the family makes. Considering the difficult start to her life, sounds like she had a good time here on our planet.

[Rainscents]

143. Thank you for sharing this!

Good news!

[lostexpectation]

144. FAcTS FAQ

I can't find what age she is how long she been sick??

[Crunchy Frog]

146. According to the article linked to above,

She was born with a congenital heart malformation.

Clark, 54, has a history of heart problems. She was a "blue baby" upon whom Drs. Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley performed pioneering open-heart surgery with the then-new, heart-lung machine in the late 1950s.

Although she's been in delicate health her whole life, she's been able to live a fulfilling life, and is even the mother of a young son.

I've gathered from other posts that she had a risky surgery to replace heart valves, and has since developed an infection of the lining of her heart, called endocarditis.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3828539.html

[lostexpectation]

147. ah takes

still sounds like a financial issue

[Tigress DEM]

149. Right to Personal Choice DEM --- in this case she wanted life.

I stood on the other side when Teri's life was prolonged against her wishes. For me it's about making sure the person facing death and their family have a way to make the decision without the government stepping in and imposing their will or the insurance company cutting someone off to balance their profit and loss statement.

I am SO glad things worked out for your sister and your family. I pray she makes a full recovery and leads a wonderful life.

[dsc]

150. I am very glad your sister is out of that hellhole of a hospital

and as a pro lifer I am glad they helped you.

[malaise]

153. I'm so happy for you and yours

Hope she recovers