Regarding Elizabeth Edwards decision to stay the course.....

[bling bling]

I will never forget something that Elizabeth said when asked a while ago about her previous battle with breast cancer.

She said she's not afraid of death. Because HER WORST DAYS ARE BEHIND HER.

She's experienced the death of her child and nothing seems scary compared to that.

The fact that she is strong and courageous and carrying on despite her recent diagnosis is a testament to how honest she was being before. And how in-touch she was with herself on this topic.

Her courage and strength is truly inspiring. It sounds ironic, but not being afraid of death seems kind of liberating in terms of allowing you a sense of freedom to just live, rather than feeling like you need to stay at home cuddling with family until the dreaded dying day.

Elizabeth is setting some powerful examples in the way she's living her life. I have nothing but admiration for her right now, and appreciation for the lessons she's offering.

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. Always had the admiration for her and John Edwards

As much "some" want to malign them as trial lawyers and hypocrites, it seems to me that it's not about he money in your bank account but rather the way you live your life. Yes, John and Elizabeth Edwards are millionaires. Did they take their riches and live a life of self indulgences or have they spend that money to make a difference in the world?

So many believe money makes everything wonderful and solves all problems. It helps, and not having it definitely hurts. But people like the Edwards have really demonstrated what it means to live your life for the greater good.

[southerncrone]

2. The Edwards' are a class act.

It says a lot about John that he attracted & kept someone like Elizabeth in his life. They certainly reflect a genuine respect for one another.

These are the types of individuals we want to lead our country & set an example for our youth.

Kudos to the Edwards' & best wishes for continued good health!
:toast:

[Erika]

3. They pulled together over the death of their teen son

Theyre' tough.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SoCalDem]

9. Have you read this, REP?

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/02/ltm.14.html

[REP]

10. Not Until Just Now! Have You Seen This?

http://www.annalssurgicaloncology.org/cgi/content/full/10/9/1031

[huskerlaw]

29. And your point is...

what, exactly?

[huskerlaw]

22. She did WHAT?

Accusing her of using Emma Claire and Jack to REPLACE Wade is ridiculous. Do you know anything AT ALL about their family? If not, perhaps you shouldn't be saying such blasphemous things...it doesn't reflect well on you at all.

[mondo joe]

23. It's evident that some hate the Edwards family and will make anything they do into

the most crass and ugly thing they can.

Why these people have such a weird chip on their shoulders is a mystery to me.

[huskerlaw]

28. Apparently.

But really, attacking someone for having the *nerve* to have children after one dies, is just beyond the pale.

And, frankly, it's libelous.

[yardwork]

25. I strongly disagree with the premise of your post

I think it is very unfair and unkind to say that the Edwards's "replaced the dead child."

I have relatives who lost a baby and went on to have more children. Their daughters in no way replaced their son - he is very much a part of their day-to-day consciousness, included in their prayers and memories at all times.

I don't think anyone can imagine the pain and grief of losing a child.

[libnnc]

26. Just WTF is your major malfunction?

They did not have those kids to "replace" Wade. What a sick thing to say.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

31. I certainly wouldn't call you an idiot for your opinion.

That's against DU rules.

[SoCalDem]

4. I admire them too, BUT

I cannot help but think that someday when the two younger ones are older, they will regret every minute of her time they did not have.. It's unlikely that she will be in their lives "long-term", so I kind of wonder if she too might regret "spending" her well-time , on the road...with strangers, instead of with her two youngest..

I lost a young friend a few years back.. (she died two days shy of her 33rd birthday), and once she got the diagnosis of cnacer, she was one determined woman. She spent every waking minute , as she called it, "drinking in the essence of her two kids". They were 7 and 4 when she died, and her husband says they still watch "Mommy's tapes".. She made a video diary so that when they are older, they will still "know her".. She also bought presents for them, as they age..

He's remarried, and the new wife is very supportive of keeping her alive in her children's eyes. They love their stepMom, but they still love their MOM, more..and everyone's ok with that.

[2008]

5. LOL (literally, I laughed out loud) at your bunny pic (nt)

[SoCalDem]

6. I did too, the first time i saw it.. here's another that makes me giggle

[REP]

7. Death From Bone Cancer is Unspeakably Bad

I watched my father die from bone cancer that had metastasized from his bladder after that cancer was supposed cleared. It is an agonizing death. I'm sorry, but I don't find anything "inspiring" about watching someone die a public death, especially one that is going to be so horrible.

[cindylouwho]

11. She's doing what she wants to do.

That's all we need to know. And by the way, if it eases your mind I doubt you'll see her die publicly either. Not that its any of your or my business.

[REP]

12. If It's Not Our Business, Why The Public Announcement?

I agree - this isn't anyone else's business, but they are the ones who decided to make the public announcement.

And it's not "inspiring." Sad, yes - but not inspiring. I've seen someone die of cancer, and it's not uplifting unless seeing someone in agony is your thing. It's not mine.

[cindylouwho]

13. Then let me ease your mind.

You aren't going to see her die. I'm sure she will be careful to hide any pain or other ravages of the disease from your sight so that you won't be offended by her courage and heart.

They made the public announcement because having decided together to continue the campaign, it was better to have it publicly known to deprive others of a political weapon to use against them later when it could be used to inflict the maximum amount of damage.

If it makes you happier though, I'm sure when the time comes she'll choose to die where you can't see her. Till then if you don't like Elizabeth and John, then you should turn the channel whenever she appears on the screen.

[REP]

14. It Isn't About Being Offended - or About "Courage" and "Heart"

Anyone who associates "courage" and "heart" and other fluffy niceties with a terminal disease is in need of some growing up.

By the way, welcome back to DU.

[cindylouwho]

15. You have got to be kidding.

Courage and heart are fluffy niceties? Going somewhere to die out of sight and mind so as not to offend you is desirable?

[Berry Cool]

19. I agree with you in general that "courage" and "heart" don't go hand in hand

with terminal disease. But again, that is not the point.

Elizabeth Edwards is not displaying "courage" and "heart" because of her diagnosis. She has no choice but to deal with that. You're right. She's not ill because she is somehow more courageous than other people, nor does her illness magically bestow courage and heart upon her.

No, she has courage and heart because she's going to do what she can to allow her husband to keep campaigning and doing what they both believe in despite of it. THAT is the courage. THAT is the heart.

[fudge stripe cookays]

35. Thanks for reminding me...

why I quit frequenting the Chronic Disease forum. Your posts in this thread have been nothing if not ghoulish and insensitive.

[mondo joe]

21. Because her husband is running for President and what happens in his family

is something the press will pay attention to.

Duh.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

34. I don't think the person you are addressing will be receptive to this kind of "reasoning".

Certain obvious conclusions can be drawn.

I'm also noticing that focusing on the fact that the Edwards had a press conference seems to be a certain kind of talking point.

[yardwork]

27. Perhaps it would be best not to comment if you have nothing kind to say

There are probably thousands of people reading this board who are fighting cancer right now, and thousands more who have lost people they love to the disease.

[Berry Cool]

18. It's not bone cancer. And no one is talking about dying in public.

That doesn't mean it's not going to be painful, but just to be accurate about it, it's not bone cancer. It's breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone. Just as your father's cancer was bladder cancer that metastasized to the bone.

It is not watching someone die a public death that is "inspiring." It is watching someone carry on in public for as long as he or she can, then retiring to the private death that awaits all of us with as much grace as possible.

I don't think we will be watching anyone's death here "in public." It is agonizing to even think of anyone's death. But that is not the point.

[mondo joe]

24. Here's a clue: IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.

It's not about you or your father.

It's about someone else and how they decide to live their life.

[fudge stripe cookays]

36. Oh but it is...

Make a visit to the chronic illness forum and see who has the majority of posts there. And you'll see why I quit frequenting it.

And see, if you HAVE a major illness, you can say whatever you want about anyone experiencing a major illness. That seems to be how it works with her anyway.

[mondo joe]

37. Hm, sorry to learn about that.

Thank you for the warning.

[Terri S]

16. Perhaps we should allow her the respect to live her life as she chooses, hmm?

With regards to her children, from what I've seen of this amazing woman, I don't think she needs any lessons in devotion. What I've seen of both them, I don't think anyone need concern themselves with any thoughts of neglect or sense of priority.

Perhaps making sure the world their children inherit is a far better place than it is now is pretty damn important. If she may not be there as long as she would like (and I'm not one to give doctor's pronouncements of life expectancy as much credit as some, having seen too many defy the so called odds--so that could very well be longer than the dire news suggests), perhaps ensuring that the most capable man she knows helps lead the way to that better world is a pretty good example of that devotion and sense of priority for her children.

In any case, I'd say those children are very fortunate to have the parents they have for as long as they are fortunate to have them.


We all make choices in how we live our life. Who we are as human beings is reflected in our actions. From what I've seen of Elizabeth Edwards, I respect who she is as a human being enough to make the right decisions of how she chooses to live.

[The Witch]

17. She understands the struggles of our military families too.

That shared experience builds a bond with others who are struggling.

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. She leaves me speechless.

I've been searching for words to express how I feel since I heard the news. Part of me wants to let go and let the sadness flood in, but another part is just too uplifted with her positive attitude and her desire to live, not just a normal life, but an extraordinary one.

Few times in my life have I ever witnessed how one person can make a difference. I think this is one of those times.

[Jacklyn75]

30. Wow! I love your post!

That's exactly how I feel! That press conference yesterday was the best one I've ever seen! You are so right, this IS one of those times!

[huskerlaw]

32. Agreed

Thank you for posting something that overshadows the ugliness upthread.

[helderheid]

33. "Die before you die"

She is an inspiration.