Elizabeth Edwards Announces Cancer Recurrence
No matter what side of the aisle your political passions reside, it must give you pause for reflection and awe — after watching Elizabeth, with Senator Edwards at her side.
She announced that cancer was detected, that it probably had spread and that it is incurable.
Not curable, but treatable.
Which tells us that from now on, our National lexicon about Cancer may have changed.
When we hear the word Cancer…we might discuss it with our loved ones in a different way…in much the same way as we discuss Diabetes.
In other words, it might be possible for Ms. Edwards to live with Cancer, operative word: Live.
With medications, therapies and continued efforts within the medical and research communities for a cure…Mrs. Edwards could find herself in the White House some day.
Godspeed.
The doctor for Elizabeth Edwards( wife of Presidential candidate John Edwards) today delivered devastating news; Mrs. Edwards had stage 4 metastatic disease ultimately a fatal disease.
John and Elizabeth Edward’s decision to carry on his bid to be the Democratic nominee for the White House is the right one, given what’s known about her recurrent cancer and advances in treatment today, two expert oncologists say.
Naturally, the Edwards campaign could dig up two oncologists to validate his decision to stay in the 2008 Presidential campaign.
I am very sad for Mr. & Mrs. Edwards and her children. Mrs. Edwards was a vibrant and critical part of the 2004 Presidential campaign. Now she is in the fight for her life and her husband should subordinate his personal career aspirations, withdraw from the campaign and totally devote the next year to the health of his wife.
Cancer and depression often go hand in glove. Cancer is all encompassing for patients, and for their families. It is no surprise, therefore, that researchers estimate that about 50% of patients with cancer having some form of diagnosable psychiatric disorder sometime during their course of care.
During the diagnosis phase and into treatment, there are many chemotherapy agents that can influence mood. Steroids, some of the platinum-based compounds (e.g. cisplatinum) and high dose alpha interferon are some of the examples of medications that can highly affect mood and cognition. These medications can make patients feel very anxious, jittery, depressed and even manic. In some cases, these agents have been known to cause patients to feel suicidal or psychotic.
Mr. Edwards do your wife and family a favor and withdraw.
Dear Mr. Donovan,
I agree with you…I just wasn’t sure how to say it.
Thank you for your honest take on this very difficult time in their lives.
I also don’t think a press conference, during which the campaign became central focus was fair to her.