*UPDATE: SEE BELOW - ST. LUKE’S HAS RENEGED ON THE DEAL*

Earlier this week, I posted about a Houston woman in need. Last night, I got an email from Jerri Ward, the attorney handling the case and she said they were “close to a transfer” for Andrea.

Now it looks like the transfer has come through. Via John Hawkins, the news is that Andrea will be moved to a hospital in Chicago.

On top of this wonderful news, look what her sister, a Democrat has to say about the experience.

My family has made the decision to move our sister to the hospital in Chicago. Thank God there is someone willing to take her. And, really, it is best to get her out of Texas, because of the futile care law here.

St. Luke’s played hardball with us on this issue. We were told that we could make the decision today and they would pay the entire amount of $14 thousand to move her, but if we made the decision tomorrow, they would only pay half of it, and if it were the day after tomorrow, they would pay nothing.

As you know, I’m a Democrat, but one that is against abortion. I agree with the Republicans on that issue, at least. After this experience, though, I have to tell you: I am in absolute awe of the power that the right to life people generate. I, of course, first posted on Democratic Underground, and I have to give them some credit: they let my post stand against the rules about posting something like this under the wrong topic. They also let it stand, even though it had people’s (my sister’s and mine) personal numbers in it. And, of course, some people there forwarded it to other blogs. And everyone there was very supportive in their comments, as well.

But the pro-life people stepped forward and just absolutely ground St. Luke’s into submission on this issue. You have, without a doubt, saved my sister’s life. I want you to know that. Without the pro-life/right to life people stepping in from the very first of this fight for Andrea, we would have lost. I have never in my life seen such a centered, focused and energized group of people.

You used that energy and focus to do some good in this world and you didn’t care whether you were fighting for a Democrat’s life or a Republican’s. Now, that’s conviction.

Awesome.

…and a big hearty “thank you” to everyone who took time to contact St. Luke’s, the local media and others. You guys rock!

Update: John is reporting some terrible news:

Unfortunately, St. Luke’s has reneged on the deal. Lanore told me that about 20 minutes before Andrea was supposed to be moved to the Illinois facility, St. Luke’s told the family the move was off. It seems that St. Luke’s decided at the last minute that Glenshire Nursing & Rehab Centre in Illinois isn’t equipped to care for Andrea, which is a bit puzzling, since Lanore told me they helped set up the transfer in the first place.

This means that Andrea’s life is still in danger. Jerri tells me that the hospital has only promised, in writing, to not pull the plug on Andrea on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. But, from Tuesday on, they’re reserving the right to pull her life support at any time after giving “reasonable” notice to the family. Is there such a thing as “reasonable” notice that you’re about to end an innocent woman’s life against her wishes and the wishes of her family?

In any case, on Tuesday, the hospital has a meeting scheduled about Andrea and the one sliver of good news is that the family says they have a doctor with privileges at St. Luke’s who is willing to go in and argue that Melanie is not medically futile. Whether that will make a difference is impossible to say at this point.

1. All I can say is “WOW.”

   Comment by Redhead Infidel — 2:31 pm
   

2. UPDATE: Andrea Clark

   Earlier this week, I wrote about another life “not worth living”, the story of Andrea Clark, a woman sentenced to die by St. Luke’s hospital here in Houston. I was in awe of the bloggers who stepped up to the plate to help this woman…

   Trackback by euphoricreality.net — 2:32 pm
   

3. John Hawkins just did an update. The hospital reneged and is NOT transferring her.

   Comment by Gaius Arbo — 9:14 pm
   

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