Posted on 03/22/2007 10:15:46 AM PDT by mngran
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., March 22 _ — John Edwards, the North Carolina Democrat, said today that his wife’s cancer had returned, but that his bid for the presidency “goes on strongly.”
“The campaign goes on, the campaign goes on strongly,” he said, with his wife, Elizabeth, at his side.
Mr. Edwards said he learned earlier this week that the cancer had reappeared in his wife’s rib cage and that the couple recognized that it was no longer curable, though it could be managed with treatment.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Edwards does not need to work. He is a multimillionaire. And no I would not need to be on public assistance. People will find a way and or sacrifice for the ones they love.
Today and Tomorrow.
This from NRO...
"Re: Edwards Staying in the Picture [Jonah Goldberg]
I think K-Lo has it right. I am no fan of John Edwards as a politician, but given the facts as we know them, I don't see anything wrong whatsoever with him staying in the race. The guy's been married for a long time. His wife shares his views and obviously wants him to be president. People react to illness differently. When my Dad was in the hospital for months he made it very clear that he didn't want me putting my life on hold. It would have driven him crazy if I hovered constantly and, it would have given him the sense that I'd lost hope in his recovery. He liked hearing the "news" about my life. So we talked often, I visited often. It wasn't an easy call, of course. But ultimately you do what you think helps most or hurts least. These are the sorts of complicated, emotional decisions families make. That's why they're called families. I think it would be in very poor taste to second guess the Edwardses on this. I also think it would be in very poor taste if Edwards exploits this in some overly political way. But he hasn't done that and may never do it. He had to give a press conference. And, from what I hear he did it with class and dignity. So, again, as long as the facts are what they are, leave them alone. They deserve that much."
Nice. In short I'm an ass because you don't like what I have to say. This is a forum toots, and if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen. Well you and that other pompous bloviating bag of wind, seanmerc can go (fill in the blank)
She was so in denial that she made them take him off morphine, because she didn't want him to get addicted so he spent the last week of his life in agonizing, unchecked pain until the last 2 days when I threw a crazy in the hall with the Dr. who was almost in tears himself because he had no say in the matter, I finally talked her into some Demerol.
Denial is a strong emotion, it can protect us from unbearable pain but it can get in the way too.
I can't help judging Edwards by what I already know of him. As one of my favorite historical personages once said, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience" Anyone who would do a phony channeling performance of a crippled/ brain damaged baby to get a jury to stick it to a doctor is capable on any sort of deceit in my mind. He got rich off of making health care more expensive for everyone and driving obstetricians out of business. Further he and his ilk have caused the number of c-sections to over double with no concomitant decrease in brain injury to infants. So although I feel sorry for his wife I think he's a total jerk.
Different people have different levels of compassion, understanding and sensitivity. It's pretty rare to run across someone (such as yourself) who seems to completely lack those qualities.
I may catch a round of flak in the six for this, but I think their continuing to forge ahead is their own way of denying seemingly unwinnable odds. They're most likely buying time while surveying her treatment and care options and a final decision to discontinue will be forthcoming.
Even still, the situation warrants dignified respect that their choices are made together.
My prayers remain offered for their situation, for their guidance through the impending storm. They don't need my critique adding any difficulty to their ordeal.
She'll come down with prostate cancer, while Bubba ties a scarf around his head (I mean no disrespect for cancer victims).
I don't know much, but I know I find out my wife has, what at the end of the day is an effectively fatal diagnosis, I'm not spending 20 hour days on a bus or plane or whatever away from her.
Sorry, I don't care what she tells me that she wants me to do it, my life goes on hold to spend as much time with her and my family as I can.
Never ever read a tombstone that said "I wish I'd spent more time at work."
If this guy is neurotic enough that he won't even put his wife first with something like this, I sure don't want him anywhere near a position of authority.
Because now he can use the Sympathy effect to benefit his attempt at a campaign, this guy is a trial lawyer through and through.
From the many comments on this topic on FR this morning, it's amazing how this place can sound so much like DU sometimes.
Oooh did I hurtems wittle feewings? Yes we should all be so sensitive that we never say anything that anyone could possibly be offended by. I guess I forgot to read the rule about not huring the feelings of those who troll on the forum with some supposed special circumstance that allows them to criticize others, but be immune from hearing anything that they don't want to hear.
SAY, You're one of the Jersy Girls aren't you.
Last time I looked this was a political forum, not a support group, and the facts are that stage IV cancer is bad news. My saying it doesn't make it any more or less true. If my saying that she will probably be dead in two years and the Edwards is jerk for continuing his campaign offends you then tough - go post someplace else.
Congratulations--you underscored my point. No matter how much I disagreed with someone, I wouldn't post such a sarcastic, belittling message, especially to a complete stranger. For the record, you didn't hurt my feelings--you just further embarrassed yourself. The saddest part is that you don't even realize how you sound.
Why can't he wait to run? Why does it have to be now?? The kids will need him more than ever. Running for the presidency is gruelling and nothing else like it exists. And BEING the president is an impossible job!!
This is a long thread and I'm far behind. But gumdrop, you expressed my thoughts about this tragic news. I agree that Edwards' family should come first. The presidency isn't worth it -- or it shouldn't be.
She went through not one but two pregnancies in her late 40s following the sudden death of their only son. I too wonder whether those massive doses of hormones she had to take contributed to her cancer. Women are just not meant to carry babies at that age. That's why I've cringed with all the comments about her weight. What a sacrifice this woman made for the sake of her family! Now it appears that she made the ultimate sacrifice.
Edwards should put his political ambitions on hold. She shouldn't have to tell him -- and she probably won't. He should just do it. It's a no-brainer. She needs him and the two young children she gave him need him. Anything else can wait. But it's their call. What a tragedy! I don't agree with his politics, but I've always liked her.
He's making a martyr out of his wife.
Im sure his wife is encouraging him to continue the run, but if I was in his shoes, I would absolutely forget the presidential run to spend as much time with my wife as possible. Sadly, she is most likely going to die and soon. To help her beat the very long odds of survival, I would want to be around her. And if she does not survive, I could know in my heart I spent as much time as I could with her before she died.
John Edwards is very very selfish man. I hope she recovers.
I'm talking about significant appeal, such as the number of people who wanted Eisenhower and Reagan to run, not guys like Fred.
Yeah, no one knows more than you. Especially not those of us fighting this battle on a daily basis.
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