About the diagnosis of Elizabeth Edwards

[Czolgosz]

Have I heard correctly that she has been diagnosed as Stage IV because she has recurrent metastatic cancer in her bones, but in no other location?

Did she say that her doctors have said that her cancer was not curable, but treatable?

Elizabeth Edwards is a brave, strong woman. I just wanted some confirmation of these two matters if anyone can confirm of refute them.

[MilesColtrane]

1. WaPo excert...

"Elizabeth Edwards' doctor told reporters she has metastatic Stage IV breast cancer that has spread to other parts of her body. Medical tests yesterday confirmed that her cancer has spread to the bone, the couple announced.

-snip-

The cancer is not curable but it is treatable, John Edwards said."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR2007032200155.html?nav=rss_email/components

[Czolgosz]

3. Thanks. That's a pretty tough diagnosis.

[Deep13]

5. "Her husband has repeatedly said he would put his wife's well-being first"

I don't see how that representation squares with the exausting and sanity-draining job of running for president.

[Czolgosz]

7. As someone who's been diagnosed with stage IV inoperable cancer, I assure you that it is very

important to have everyone around you keep their life as normal and interesting (otherwise, each day becomes all about your cancer, all day, every day, and nothing sucks worse than that).

There is no doubt that John is putting Elizabeth's well-being first.

[Contrary1]

8. Yep...I'm betting his decision in this matter

is based on what Elizabeth wants to do. I applaud their courage.

[JoDog]

11. I agree

She may want to change the country as much as her husband does. I have no doubt that the campaign is going forward with her blessing and encouragement. I am of the camp that believes that original diagnosis may have been a factor in the Kerry/Edwards choice not to contest the outcome of the 2004 election. If they pulled back then, there would be nothing stopping them from pulling back now, other than perhaps Elizabeth's insistance that the campaign continues.

Having had family with cancer and other chronic illnesses, I know the need for a "distraction factor" can be high. There is a need for something else to focus on and look forward to. For some people, its clubs, their families, even sports teams. If a political campaign works for Elizabeth Edwards, then goddess bless them both.

And, to face the awful facts, the 5 year survival rate for stage IV breast cancer is somewhere around 20%. This may be their last chance to do this together. I pray that she beats those odds, but it may have been a consideration.

[merci_me]

15. You are so right!

I'm a 25 yr survivor or a stage III and my husband was diagnosed with an inoperable stage IV in 1993 with a recurrence in 2003. He's doing well, except we both go through a real downer every 6 months as we wait for the results of his tests.

The important thing is not only to keep on keeping on, but to focus far into the future, set goals not associated at all with the illness and put yourself mentally and emotionally and as much as humanly possible, into getting there. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!!

The Edwards family can always rethink and adjust their plans IF it becomes necessary, but right now, for everyone's mental and emotional health, it's time to move ahead. The last thing Elizabeth needs is to see John withdraw and watch the other campaigns move on. Emotionally, somewhere deep down, there would be guilt (because it's human) that she is the cause. She doesn't need dumb stuff like that messing with her now.

[CBHagman]

23. Thanks for posting that, and thanks for telling about yourself.

It really helps to hear your story, and I applaud you and your husband for your courage.

[loyalsister]

16. Or being president

I am very confused about how he thinks he can do the job and put his wife's health first.

[stellanoir]

2. Yup

that is my understanding though I've been a bit distracted today.

I'm feeling like she can beat this regardless of the dire prognosis.

With a boatload of good vibes and intentions maybe she can.

It's getting far too interesting for her not to stick around methinks.

Let's hope and pray for the best.

[Czolgosz]

6. I bet you the office of the first lady comes with a pretty bad-ass health care plan and John Edwards

has a great plan to extend health care coverage to everyone.

[babylonsister]

4. Lung, too, per this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=475321

[Mojorabbit]

9. I don't know

I'd want my husband to be home with me and the family and not flying all over the country. I lost my dad to cancer in Jan and it was not an easy death. We all dropped everything to be with him as he went through hope for a good outcome all the way to acceptance and death. It will be hard on the children too and no nanny can make up for Dad, so I am conflicted on the decision. Then again it is their decision to make. It just would not be mine. The whole thing is still too fresh in my mind re my Pop.

[Czolgosz]

10. From personal experience, I can say with certainty that it is a very good thing to have something

other than your cancer to focus on. I suspect that she will be well enough to travel (except on the days after chemo treatments), and I think that the race will be a very helpful as a vessel to pour her energy into instead of spending all day focused inward on her health concerns.

[Mojorabbit]

12. That will be if all goes

perfectly. As a retired nurse who at one time was head nurse of an oncology ward, I have a different perspective. I am sending the good Mojo to her but I still think this is a time for the family to draw together esp for the children's sake.
But, as I said before that is their decision and I support whatever they decide to do. I whish them all the best.

[Contrary1]

14. You are so right....

It wasn't until I started talking to those newly diagnosed, that I put aside my own fears.
Now; as hard as it to believe, I seldom think of my own cancer.
Good luck to you on your journey, from another survivor; or as I prefer to say...veteran. :toast:

[Gloria]

17. I think she wants to do something meaningful with the time she has left....

She and John are a team and they share a vision of how to make America a better place. She even mentioned how she met people who were in dire straits who needed help.

People meeting her will be inspired and that alone will be good work.

I think being involved in this grand project will help her live, even as she is terminally ill....

[AtomicKitten]

13. An epic tragedy.

Elizabeth Edwards is such a warm, intelligent woman, extremely cool.

[Gloria]

18. See this great article ....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3176840

[Colobo]

19. I have mixed feelings...

On one hand, I admire the courage of both John and Elizabeth and their desire to move forward with the campaign. In the other hand, I feel it might not be the best idea. It looks like this is some really serious stuff, and them being a couple with little kids... I feel the Edwards family should be focusing on creating everlasting memories together, as a family, away from the campaign trail.

However, it's their call and I respect that.

[snowbear]

20. But Katzenkavalier..

Campaigning is exactly what Elizabeth wants.

And knowing the way she is with people, she's creating everlasting memories together with her family, and with supporters of her husband-- that probably mean much more to her than if they bagged it all and tossed in the towel.

I'm happy she's healthy enough to fulfill her wishes. It's what she wants to do.

[Colobo]

21. I understand... that's what she wants

And hopefully she will be able to not only campaign with his husband, but to be the First Lady for 8 years if Edwards wins in 08.

[NastyRiffraff]

22. The decision is theirs

Second guessing them on this issue is just wrong. Both of them made it very clear this was a joint decision. I'm sure John would have bowed out if Elizabeth had wanted him to.

And good for her! A major factor in cancer survival is the ability to live a normal life. She wants to do that and I admire her.

[AshevilleGuy]

24. Several doctors interviewed on CNN and MSM said it was NOT

a death sentence for her. They called it "chronic" and discussed the likelihood of new cures being developed at any time. And she has time.

And she will still be First Lady. The Edwards are not despairing; we musn't either.