Reply #129: I see that what you're upset about is your reputation.

[SmokingJacket]

Actually, helping Andy the way you have -- even if some of the terminology is fuzzy and the diagnosis keeps changing -- has shown you to be a really decent, stand-up guy. It has done much good for your reputation in my household (only place I can speak authoritatively about!). My husband and I have always respected your work, but going out on a limb for a sick friend the way you did really made us begin to think of you as more than a good journalist; we started thinking of you as one of the liberal heroes. I'm not joking or flattering -- we really did talk about it.

Anyone who's gone through an illness knows how slippery information can be. NO ONE will hold it against you for getting it not quite right, if that is what happened.

But... your calling this a betrayal and showing more concern for your rep than for your friendships will leave a bad taste in people's mouths, at best.

At worst it will encourage people to cling tightly to their wallets when asked to help in the future.