Wife says Fetterman's doctors 'really impressed' with his progress

[LetMyPeopleVote]

I also want to hear directly from the doctors

Link to tweet

https://thehill.com/news/state-watch/3509148-wife-says-fettermans-doctors-really-impressed-with-his-progress/

Pennsylvania Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, said in a new interview that doctors are “very happy with how he is healing” from his stroke.

“The neurologists, they were really impressed with the progress. Cognitively, he’s perfect and well on his way to a full recovery,” Gisele Fetterman told Politico. “Everything went well with the cardiologists. His heart is looking good. Pacemaker is working as it’s supposed to.”

She added, however, that the doctors at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital “want him to continue to rest.”

Gisele Fetterman told the news outlet that doctors are not yet sure when it will be safe for her husband to return to the campaign trail, noting that “the campaign will have an announcement for that soon.”

[jimfields33]

1. Don't doctors usually have press conferences on important people?

Seems they haven’t had one.

[Demsrule86]

9. No they don't actually. That would violate Hippa...again the GOP would love a bunch of

medical BS that they can twist. I suggest those who are not 100% for Fetterman at least not hurt his chances by posting these sorts of articles. Do we want to win the Senate seat or have a pout that Lamb a designated moderate lost convincingly? Priorities folks. Fired up and ready to win this Senate seat. You know Candy is Canadian right...she lives in Alberta.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

27. It doesn't violate HIPAA

if the patient gives permission.

[Demsrule86]

35. Why would he do that? He is doing fine...and that would only allow Lamb supporters and/or

GOP types to twist the doctor's words. It would be foolish...don't believe anyone who wants to win the seat would suggest that. Remember Hillary...I know some are disappointed that Fetterman won, but for heaven's sake he is the candidate...let's try to remember that.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

37. I don't think it's ever foolish

for someone upon whom we're relying to win a seat to be completely open book about their health status after a suffering something as serious as a stroke. Not to mention the fact that I was simply stating that it's not a HIPAA violation if the patient gives permission for the medical professional to share medical info.

I don't vote in PA, so it was irrelevant to me which candidate won the primary - I want the seat filled by someone with a 'D' next to their name.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

47. Do you tire of being wrong?

There is no violation of HIPPA. Doctors hold press conferences to discuss high profile patients' health status all of the time.

Here is a post I made with respect to MTG making really sad claims about HIPPA.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215645481

HIPPA does not apply here, MTG is an idiot

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Vaccine opponents, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., are using the occasion to resurrect the false claim that the HIPAA federal privacy law protects individuals from being asked about their vaccination status.

On May 18, several GOP members refused to wear masks on the House floor in defiance of House rules on mask-wearing, including Greene. When asked whether she was vaccinated, Greene told reporters that asking about her vaccine status was a HIPAA violation. ....

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, is a law that prevents health care professionals from sharing private health information without the patient's permission.

But experts agree the interpretation of HIPAA cited by Greene and others online is inaccurate. The law has no bearing on who can ask or answer questions about health status outside a health care setting, they say.....

Alan Meisel, a professor of law and bioethics at the University of Pittsburgh, told USA TODAY at the time that HIPAA’s rules apply only to sharing information between "covered entities." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services describes covered entities as “health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically.”

Meisel said the claim that HIPAA protected people from being asked about their vaccine status is “utter nonsense.”

MTG is an idiot

[mcar]

2. This is a long recuperation for a relatively young man, isn't it?

It's too bad his campaign is missing the opportunity to cash in while the Rs are still fighting about counting votes.

[SKKY]

3. This is actually a good thing for Fetterman...

...as long as they're talking about votes, and two-tons of fun is out there complaining about imaginary voter fraud, they're not talking about Fetterman. I figure he's got two solid months of being able to take things easy, make an appearance ever so often, and get himself right before he starts campaigning in earnest.

[Demsrule86]

8. No, it is about the typical time. And there is no rush as the GOP doesn't even have a candidate.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. Most people would prefer to hear this from the Doctors

It is actually very typical for doctors to discuss with the press the status of a high-profile patient.

[Demsrule86]

14. No it is not a good idea as the assault on Hillary proved...so no. I fail to se why this is even

posted. I would not give the GOP an inch on this matter and I can't imagine that you think this would be a good idea. I want to win a Senate seat period.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. Why are you against full disclosure?

Not having the facts out gives the RWNJ more freedom. There are some really nasty stuff out there already on Fetterman. I was disgusted by one of these article from a RWNJ paper. I am not going to name the paper or post a link to the article because it is that bad

[Demsrule86]

32. How did full disclosure work out for Hillary? You don't give the opposition ammunition against

our nominee...they will twist and lie about any such disclosure and there is no there there anyway. I know you supported Lamb but do you want to lose this seat? Fetterman is the nominee and deserves our support.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

39. Do you really believe that this was the reason for Hillary's loss in the electoral college?

I remind you of Comey's sabotage of the campaign with the release of news about re-opening the investigation 11 days before the election

Link to tweet

In addition, the number of sanders voters voting for TFG and the number of Stein voters exceeded TFG's margin of victory in key states.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

I worked hard on the Clinton campaign and was a Clinton delegate to Philadelphia. If you have polling that shows that the medical issue was a reason for Hillary's loss in the electoral college, provide such polling. I trust Nate and the numbers set forth above.

Again, I just saw that there are some real concerns about Fetterman's health

[Bettie]

34. It doesn't matter

they will say what they will say regardless of information or lack of information.

They make things up. Note that they keep saying Biden has dementia? If he had a test as their orange guy did, they would spin that as him having dementia but denying it...they will say what they will say and there is literally no way to shut them down, because truth isn't actually something they care about.

[Demsrule86]

36. I consider that Fetterman's wife statement is full disclosure...and you know perfectly well how

how Republicans twist medical records (Hillary)...I expect the GOP to make such demands but not Democrats.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

41. NBC disagrees

Link to tweet

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/fettermans-health-return-campaign-trail-mystery-democrats-grow-nervous-rcna31645

There has been “no indication” of a timeline for Fetterman’s return to the trail, said an elected Pennsylvania Democrat who has interacted with Fetterman. “A lot of us Democratic Party types are very nervous about it.” The official, who asked not to be named to avoid blowback from his party, said Fetterman needs to be transparent both because it’s the right thing to do and good politics.

Fetterman’s health and its political implications are no small concern for Democrats. Pennsylvania is widely viewed as their party’s best pick-up opportunity in a midterm election cycle in which control of the Senate hinges on the outcome of a handful of races. And his absence from the campaign trail has robbed Democrats of a head start toward the general election. The Republican primary is mired in a recount, with fewer than a thousand votes separating Mehmet Oz — the celebrity TV doctor with a background in cardiothoracic surgery — and former hedge fund executive Dave McCormick.

“I think people I’ve talked to — myself included — don’t know what to make of it,” said a veteran Pennsylvania Democratic strategist who requested anonymity to speak candidly about a sensitive subject. “It’s not like Fetterman has close institutional allies, so Dems are calling around wanting to ask the question, but no clue where to get a sense of how serious it is.” .....

The careful statements from Fetterman’s campaign since his stroke and surgery have done little to answer lingering questions about his health or whether he has fully disclosed the scope of his heart condition. Several cardiologists told The Philadelphia Inquirer last week that defibrillators are not used to treat atrial fibrillation, the irregular heart rhythm that the campaign has said led to Fetterman’s stroke. In an interview with Politico, Gisele Fetterman said doctors found no new heart issues during a Wednesday follow-up with the physicians who treated his stroke.

[Hortensis]

58. I sadly don't expect but DO require people to speak truth and deny deceit.

I don't think we should hesitate to discuss this topic honestly, just as everyone should discuss...McConnell's or tRump's health honestly.

It really is okay for Fetterman's wife/Fetterman Campaign to route the flow of information through themselves, as long as what they release is honest as far as it goes and in good faith with the American people. They have a huge job to do -- get him elected, and controlling info's part of it.

But their information-control efforts are not the same as giving the physicians permission to discuss his medical condition publicly, and all my considering in the world wouldn't make it so. Nor can I consider it full disclosure when I have no way of knowing if it is.

One set of standards for all factions and candidates.

[mcar]

11. Since the GOP doesn't have a candidate

he'd have a clear field now to define them.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

31. This is not typical in the real world

There are people getting very nervous.

[Celerity]

4. @tify330 was a massive anti-Fetterman agent, so her FUD attempts are duly taken w/ a grain of salt

She and her ilk are doing the dirty dirty, the wet work, for the Rethugs.

[Sympthsical]

5. What's with the persistently anti-progressive Twitter accounts being posted here?

It's a bit odd for the space, but they keep cropping up.

Kind of makes one wonder about people's reading materials.

[Celerity]

7. it is only a small, tiny handful of posters, but they are relentless

[Tree-Hugger]

12. It's predictable

There's a small anti-Fetterman contingent right here on the DU. They'd rather fight the last primary then support the guy who is our nominee for the Fall election.

Everytime they post these, "gee, I'd like to hear from his doctor becaause he's taking too long to recover," posts it just hurts our side. As Trump would say: Sad.

[Demsrule86]

15. It is extremely sad and I continue to be shocked by this behavior.

[BradAllison]

51. It's really not if you pay attention

This primary bothered the fuck out of the people who think all 50 states need to run Joe Manchin-like candidates OR ElSE wE WILL lOOssee.....

[Demsrule86]

6. Ok...too bad. Not giving the GOP stuff to pick apart. Lamb will not be the nominee which

is a good thing as he is like all the others before him who lost Senate seats. Keep putting this stuff up...I don't understand why as it seems to help Republicans.

[Tree-Hugger]

13. This

The primary is over. He needs our support.

[Demsrule86]

16. Yes he does...and it pretty interesting to see some pick and choose what Democratic

nominee they support. I support all nominees regardless of whether they are moderates or progressives... A Democrat needs to win this and other Senate seats...our Republic is at stake.

[Tree-Hugger]

19. Exactly

I voted for Fetterman in the primary. I would have voted for Lamb in the general if he was the nominee.

[Hortensis]

20. :) Primary's over. He's the DEMOCRATIC candidate now,

and our senate candidate's health is of interest to the entire party. Guarantee, those watching the senate for Biden, Harris, Schumer, McConnell, and whole a bunch of others, are getting updates whenever and however available.

[Demsrule86]

17. I would also add that while I understood that you supported a different candidate in the

primary, I did expect that you would support our Democratic candidate after the primary. I must say, I am disappointed.

[Sympthsical]

21. Imagine if we got demands for President Biden health updates

Just to make sure, ya know?

I imagine that tune would be very, very different.

[dsc]

23. If he had a stroke a few weeks ago and was still not able to make public appearnces

we would be seeing those demands. It isn't unreasonable to want such updates.

[Sympthsical]

26. And I'm sure it's coincidence

That all this concern is coming from anti-Left spaces.

I'm sure it's unrelated.

[Demsrule86]

29. Yes it is...there is no reason for an appearance as the GOP has no candidate now.

When the opposition is eating their own...let them. I see many Lamb supporters wanting a do-over. Lamb wouldn't win a general so it would be nice if some supported the Democratic nominee and didn't say what is essentially...GOP talking points.

[Celerity]

33. with these Twitter trolls, it always go back to obsessional #anti-Prog4Lyfe posturing & Sanders hate

[Demsrule86]

38. Oh please. That is nonsense. We would fight tooth and nail...this comes almost exclusively from

Lamb supporters who seemingly are not yet willing to support the Democratic nominee.

[Demsrule86]

30. I agree. These attacks are both transparent and despicable.

[TexasTowelie]

24. So a tweet that references an article from The Hill conveys non-support?

Would it had made any difference if only the article from The Hill was posted?

I wish Fetterman the best of health; however, if I were a voter in Pennsylvania I would want more information disclosed on Fetterman's health since the governor can name his replacement. If there are serious questions about his prognosis, then consideration should be given to having another candidate in the race. It would be a disaster if Mastriano named a replacement who stayed in office for five years (I don't know PA rules about special elections). I also hope that Fetterman would step aside if he is not capable of either campaigning or performing the duties of the job as senator.

I'm sorry, but it isn't honorable or respectful to voters for any candidate to withhold information that could potentially affect their job performance. Personally, I think that the considerations about withholding information apply to any person seeking a new job in any occupational field.

[Demsrule86]

28. His wife says he is doing fine. That is enough for me...as for stepping aside. There is

no reason to do so. Do you wish to lose the seat?

[TexasTowelie]

46. We don't hold the seat yet so we can't really lose it.

I can also see that independent voters would vote Republican if they don't believe Fetterman is being transparent with them--particularly if they believe that they might avoid a "special election" and also avoid the cost to the taxpayers by doing so.

I'm glad that his wife's word is good enough for you. The bigger question is whether Fetterman's wife's word is good enough for the undecided voters. That's why most voters are going to look forward to the professional opinion by Fetterman's physicians as to his fitness for the job rather than his wife.

[kcr]

22. Or what?

You'll vote for the Republican?

[Demsrule86]

25. +1000

[LetMyPeopleVote]

40. Fetterman's health, return to campaign trail a mystery as some Democrats grow 'very nervous' about P

There are a good number of Democrats who are very worried about Fetterman's health

Link to tweet

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/fettermans-health-return-campaign-trail-mystery-democrats-grow-nervous-rcna31645

Pennsylvania Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman does not have a timetable for returning to the campaign trail, sparking some worries in the party nearly three weeks after he suffered a stroke and surgeons implanted a pacemaker with a defibrillator to regulate his heartbeat.

Fetterman, the state’s lieutenant governor, has appeared publicly only in recorded video since the stroke. His wife is speaking to the media on his behalf. And the situation has prompted Democrats to refresh their knowledge of state ballot-replacement law — the deadline is in August — according to two party sources who said they don’t anticipate a candidate switch being necessary......

There has been “no indication” of a timeline for Fetterman’s return to the trail, said an elected Pennsylvania Democrat who has interacted with Fetterman. “A lot of us Democratic Party types are very nervous about it.” The official, who asked not to be named to avoid blowback from his party, said Fetterman needs to be transparent both because it’s the right thing to do and good politics.....

The careful statements from Fetterman’s campaign since his stroke and surgery have done little to answer lingering questions about his health or whether he has fully disclosed the scope of his heart condition. Several cardiologists told The Philadelphia Inquirer last week that defibrillators are not used to treat atrial fibrillation, the irregular heart rhythm that the campaign has said led to Fetterman’s stroke. In an interview with Politico, Gisele Fetterman said doctors found no new heart issues during a Wednesday follow-up with the physicians who treated his stroke.

I would urge the Fetterman campaign to make full disclosure and provide Fetterman's doctors to answer questions about Fetterman's health

[FakeNoose]

42. This is a nothing-burger! Fetterman doesn't even have an opponent yet

It's going to be at least 2 weeks before Fetterman knows who his opponent is going to be.

Everything is fine and we don't need to make an issue of John's health.

[Demsrule86]

43. Trashing. You posted another OP which I consider attacking the Democratic nominee and could

contribute to a loss of the PA Senate seat. I won't take part in such a thing.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

45. Again, why are you afraid of full disclosure?

[Rob H.]

44. "I also want to hear directly from the doctors"

Wow. The sense of entitlement is palpable.

[DFW]

48. Is a barrage of "he's almost there" reports what will help his campaign at this point?

I would be wary of inviting "the lady doth protest too much" comments.

If he's doing well, fine. Let him quietly get back to full speed, and then show him coming out swinging. A stream of "full recovery is just around the corner" statements is very vague, and not in the slightest convincing without specifics. This Senate seat will not be handed to us on a silver platter. We do not need to lose it over unduly heightened expectations.

[mcar]

52. And the fact that we have not seen or heard from him

is concerning.

He can't record a brief video statement to show everyone he's doing OK and is on the mend?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

49. OPINION An Rx for politicians -- full medical disclosure

According to Politico, the Fetterman campaign is not allowing Fetterman's doctors speak as to Fetterman's condition.

Link to tweet

I hope that there is nothing to hide. I personally believe in full disclosure and this Follcall article explains why full disclosure is needed to protect voters.

Link to tweet

https://rollcall.com/2022/05/25/an-rx-for-politicians-full-medical-disclosure/

The 52-year-old Fetterman celebrated on primary night from a hospital bed, as he recovered from a recent stroke. Even though Fetterman was released from the hospital Sunday, there has been no word about when the Democratic nominee will resume campaigning or how vigorous he will be when he does.

The New York Times, in an article by Gina Kolata and Katie Glueck, raised questions about Fetterman’s medical situation and the pace of his recovery. As the Times reported, “Specialists in stroke, heart disease and electrophysiology said that some of the campaign’s public statements do not offer a sufficient explanation for Mr. Fetterman’s described diagnosis or the treatment they say he has received.”....

Medical privacy is a cherished right, and it is understandable that men and women running for high office are reluctant to release their intimate medical histories. That may explain why the Fetterman campaign has been so elusive about the details of the candidate’s stroke.

The problem is that America has a long history of presidents and other top officials dissembling or even outright lying about their medical conditions. .....

Alas, it is nearly impossible to legislate medical honesty. Back in 2015, Trump’s doctor, Harold Bornstein, released an over-the-top letter claiming that the overweight reality TV star “will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” It turns out (shocking revelation ahead) that Trump himself wrote the letter.

But the voters should demand full medical disclosure from candidates for major office — especially after a serious event like a stroke or heart attack. The health of the nation requires the full truth, even when the details are not what the doctor ordered.

I am personally praying that Fetterman is okay and can get back onto the campaign trail to beat Dr. Oz or the other GOP asshole. We need to win as many Penn. races as possible and I am really worried about the Penn. Governor's race. If the GOP controls the governor office in 2024, we can kiss winning Penn. electoral votes goodbye.

[Autumn]

53. Once again I will tell you. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator can be used for afib. I gave

you a links and you are ignoring them in your "concern" But by all means please continue. How odd you chose to believe the media and their spin that defibrillator are not used for afib. But them maybe not so odd.
And again

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) looks similar to a pacemaker, though slightly larger. It works very much like a pacemaker. But the ICD can send an energy shock that resets an abnormal heartbeat back to normal. Many devices combine a pacemaker and ICD in one unit for people who need both functions.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is a device for people who are prone to life-threatening rapid heart rhythms. It is slightly larger than a pacemaker and usually is implanted beneath the skin below the collarbone. It is connected to a defibrillation/pace wire(s) positioned inside the heart via a vein. It has the capability of delivering an electric shock to the heart when it determines the heart rate is too fast. It also is capable of pacing or stimulating the heart when it is going too slow.


https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/treatment

[TexasTowelie]

59. That's why I want a physician to explain why he would need an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

rather than rely on what Fetterman's wife states. Her commentary on Fetterman's health should be considered as the remarks of a layperson rather than as the qualified opinion of a medical professional.

[BradAllison]

50. You couldn't be more obvious at this point.

It was foolish to think you'd be ok with the results of this primary.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

55. Why are you against full disclosure?

Recent history has provided good reason why full disclosure is necessary. Here are some examples from the Roll Call article cited above
https://rollcall.com/2022/05/25/an-rx-for-politicians-full-medical-disclosure/

The problem is that America has a long history of presidents and other top officials dissembling or even outright lying about their medical conditions.

John F. Kennedy was a prime example, hiding from the public the heavy dosage of steroids he was taking to treat his Addison’s disease. As historian Robert Dallek wrote in The Atlantic, “The lifelong health problems of John F. Kennedy constitute one of the best-kept secrets of recent U.S. history — no surprise, because if the extent of those problems had been revealed while he was alive, his presidential ambitions would likely have been dashed.”

More recently, Bernie Sanders had a heart attack in October 2019, but all through the 2020 presidential primary season, the Vermont senator refused to release detailed medical records.

Far more alarmingly, Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 three days before his first 2020 debate with Joe Biden — and covered it up. And then Trump, when he became sick, hid from the public that his blood oxygen levels had dropped so low that doctors were considering putting the president on a ventilator.

Sanders' heart attack was troublesome but Sanders was never going to be the nominee of the party based on the plan of only getting at mot 30% of the vote in the primaries. After South Carolina and Super Tuesday, it was clear that Sanders had no chance of being the nominee. TFG's hiding his COVID during the first debate was truly disgusting.

Again, full disclosure of all medical issues is the right thing to do. If Fetterman is really healthy, then have his doctors meet with the press and provide full disclosure