<p>I don’t know much about Elizabeth but my heart breaks for every cancer victim. </p>
<p>Would they call a press conference to announce that everything is fine?</p>
<p>The CNN.com article about the announcement says, "The sources would not disclose the exact nature of Thursday’s announcement, but they did say that the couple is not going before the press to say that ‘everything is OK.’ " So your suspicions are probably correct. Much strength to everyone undergoing similar trials.</p>
<p>When I saw the newsline last night, I had a sinking feeling for them. My heart goes out to the entire family and I wish them strength and hope. We’ve been there.</p>
<p>Can we expect a warm message, sympathies or otherwise, from Ann Coulter to the Edwards family?</p>
<p>Gosh I hope she’s ok.</p>
<p>Elizabeth’s cancer has returned. A tumor on one of her ribs was discovered and her treatment will be, as she stated, a less debilitating form of chemotherapy, likely for the rest of her life. The campaign will continue and she expects to proceed as planned with her involvement, to the best of her ability.</p>
<p>This is such sad news.</p>
<p>I wish the whole family the best of luck. Cancer sucks.</p>
<p>Sad news for the Edwards family.</p>
<p>Is anyone else scratching their heads over Edwards’ decision to continue his campaign full speed ahead? If I’m not mistaken, he has two young children at home (ages 6 and 8).</p>
<p>“Is anyone else scratching their heads over Edwards’ decision to continue his campaign full speed ahead? If I’m not mistaken, he has two young children at home (ages 6 and 8).”</p>
<p>No, not really. This is one of those situations the other side will pounce on either way. I’m sure “they” talked it over and came to a decision together. You can’t win either way in this situation, so why not keep trying? At least to his credit, he hasn’t divorced her or began to screw around with other women.</p>
<p>I’ve always thought that she is his biggest suppporter and cheerleader.
She really wants this for him, and for the country. </p>
<p>I think I would do the same. Working together for something they believe in may make the illness less of a focus in their lives. They’ve had theyr’e share of heartache. I trust they know what will work for them.</p>
<p>As a member of “the other side” I’d like to say how sad I am for the Edwards family. Boy have they had more than their share of tragedy. I wish them all the best.</p>
<p>Perhaps they chose to stay in because Ms. Edwards really believes in her husband’s candidacy and thinks he would be a good President?</p>
<p>I am not an MD, and don’t know the specifics obviously, but I do know that women with non-inflammatory Stage IIIb breast cancer (bone involvement) often live for a very long time with treatment (i.e., they don’t die from it). It isn’t curable per se, but it is manageable, and the treatment itself need not be debilitating, just long term. </p>
<p>Good thing they have health insurance!</p>
<p>Amen to your last, Mini!</p>
<p>I think the decision to stay in the race is a personal, family one, and I’m sure they’ve discussed it and made a family decision.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to them; they’ve had a tought time, and their devotion and steadfastness is impressive and heartening.</p>
<p>
I wish I were as optimistic as you. My understanding is that spread to the bone means Stage 4, rather than Stage 3. See the following:</p>
<p>*Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage (stage IV) of breast cancer. Cancer cells have spread past the breast and axillary (underarm) lymph nodes to other areas of the body where they continue to grow and multiply. Breast cancer has the potential to spread to almost any region of the body. The most common region breast cancer spreads to is bone, followed by lung and liver. Treatment of metastatic breast cancer generally focuses on relieving symptoms and extending a woman?s lifetime.</p>
<p>In a 1995 survey sponsored by the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO), the majority of the 200 women with metastatic breast cancer surveyed said the public perceives them as being “near death?with little or no time to live.” However, nearly 20% of women with metastatic breast cancer live five years or longer. It is important for patients and physicians to be realistic about the outcome of advanced breast cancer, but at the same time, the survival rate (16%) is based on statistics. Each woman is unique and her situation will also be unique. </p>
<p>-<a href=“http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/metastatic.asp[/i]”>http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/metastatic.asp*</a></p>
<p>In that context, I think today’s news conference was stunning in the attitude and spirit displayed by John and Elizabeth in the face of what must have been devastating news. I think they are handling this with an enormous amount of class. </p>
<p>I suspect health insurance/paying for treatment is among the least of their worries, although they are fortunate that it is not among them. They have convinced me that their main concerns are for their family and the future of this country.</p>
<p>I agree with mini. They have been married 30 years, and have suffered the death of a child. I am sure this personal decision was a mutual one, and one that was not made lightly. I think Elizabeth probably convinced John to stay in the race because she honestly believes he is the best candidate.</p>
<p>(As far as the democrats go, I’d tend to agree with her at this point.)</p>
<p>Saw part of the press conference with the oncologist speaking. She definitely said Stage 4 breast cancer, spread to the bone. Terrible. But the oncologist was pretty laid back about it, just saying it was incurable but treatable. This is not good, no mattter how cool, calm and collected everyone looked.</p>
<p>Sorry. I didn’t see the press conference.</p>
<p>I feel very sorry for this family, given their previous loss and the age of the younger kids. I wouldn’t be surprised if Edwards changes his mind at some point, but for now I think it’s a good idea to maintain the same lifestyle, as much as possible. If he suddenly quit, that wouldn’t be much of a vote of confidence for her condition, would it? I know that when I’ve had health issues, it helps me when my husband doesn’t act like it’s the end of the world – just another problem we’ll solve together. I think the best thing anyone can do is send hopeful thoughts and prayers their way.</p>
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<p>Probably not. His campaign wasn’t destined to last much longer anyway. It probably makes sense to keep it going for now and buy some time to plan an organized end game for the campaign.</p>
<p>I’m not commenting on the campaign issues. I just think it would help his wife’s confidence in her treatment if he acts normally. That’s what I’d want my husband to do.</p>