Posted on 03/22/2007 10:56:30 AM PDT by Kaslin
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - John Edwards said Thursday his wife's cancer has returned, but said he will continue his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
"The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly," Edwards told reporters, his wife by his side.
The recurrence of the cancer—this time on Elizabeth Edwards' bone—presents a setback for the couple, both personally and politically. But both said they would stick with their plans to campaign vigorously for the nomination.
"From our perspective, there was no reason to stop," Edwards said. "I don't think we seriously thought about it."
Edwards had canceled a Tuesday evening house party in Iowa to go with his wife to a doctor's appointment, which his campaign described as a follow-up to a routine test she had Monday.
Faced with questions about how his wife's illness affected his political future, Edwards said he will pursue his second bid for the presidency, but: "Any time, any place I need to be with Elizabeth I will be there—period."
Mrs. Edwards, 57, was first diagnosed with cancer in the final weeks of the 2004 campaign. The day after Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and Edwards, his running mate, conceded the election to George W. Bush, Edwards announced that his wife had invasive ductal cancer, the most common type of breast cancer, and would undergo treatment.
Mrs. Edwards underwent several months of radiation and chemotherapy for the lump in her breast. Her husband's campaign has said she had recovered from the illness.
"I don't look sickly, I don't feel sickly. I am as ready as any person can be for that," she said at the news conference.
John Edwards said a biopsy of her rib had showed that the cancer had returned.
The bone is one of the most common places where breast cancer spreads, and once it does so it is not considered curable.
But how long women survive depends on how widespread the cancer is in the bone, and many can survive for years. The longer it takes for cancer to spread after the initial tumor, the better the prognosis. She was diagnosed in 2004.
Chemotherapy and radiation are standard treatments, along with use of drugs that specifically target the bones called bisphosphonates. Other treatments include hormone therapy if the cancer is responsive to estrogen.
Dr. Lisa Carey, Elizabeth Edwards' physician, said that initial tests showed some very small suspicious spots elsewhere, but that the therapy focus would be on the bone. Asked where else, she said "possibly involving the lung."
But is that what should happen for the two little kids?? All that time away from home?? I think this was a stinky decision he made.
Also, will he now have second thoughts about his lifetime of suing the medical profession, now that his wife's life depends upon her physicians?
I really cannot stand John Edwards. He is the LAST person I would want to see as president. A slick phony.
Absolutely unbelievable ! What a self-centered creep John Edwards is. Well, as we have known for a long time - Democrats have NO SHAME! Glad he's not my husband! Prayers to Mrs. Edwards!
good luck to you and your wife.
When I was diagnosed with cancer we basically chose the same route your family did. For as long as I have I want to have a normal (or as close to normal) life as I can have. That means my husband works, he travels for work and sometimes we go with him and sometimes I stay at home and take care of my son. My family is no different than others, and that is the way I want it.
Running for President of the United States of America is not the same thing as keeping on working at your normal day job. This is a dreadful decision. This man is still quite young. Running for president can be done later. He should think of his children. I really, really, cannot stand this man!!
"He's a very selfish man"
Nahh, he is a lawyer.
LOL :)
No need to. They probably have had an "arrangement" for years. Sort of like the Clintons, but with boys instead of girls. How ya like them apples?
Don't count on it, here is my girlfriend's response after she saw the news (and she's borderline lib)
Subject: no longer respect John Edwards in any way!
He is an ASSHOLE....I am speaking as a person that had a spouse with cancer! I want to slap him silly!
Their children are not adopted- she bore them at age 49 and 51.
I think he should stay home.I know a person who died of bone cancer and it was not pretty at the end. No cancer is. They treated him as well, and as best they could, but in the end he passed into God's life forever. I think Edwards should just give it up and end this now and spend what ever time he has left with his wife. For her it is a lonely time in her life and it is hard enough to take the news, let alone go out on the campaign trail. If he had any sense, he would just stay home period.
Yes, but I presume you are with a decent girl, not the whole "gain fame through sluttiness" MTV crowd.
I don't agree with the decision at all, its just that its quite possible his wife wants him to continue with the campaign.
Also, will he now have second thoughts about his lifetime of suing the medical profession, now that his wife's life depends upon her physicians?
That is an interesting point. A friend of mine used to be a trial lawyer, and they specialized in suing doctors. He said whenever he went to a doctor he never told them where he worked.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. Some folks need to read, very carefully, about your experience. I wish both of you the best and God bless.
You are correct, but I hope the marry for fame crowd is the minority.
Touche' on the DA. I lost my wife to cancer after it reappeared and wish I had spent more time with her. I can feel for her, but he needs to realize what is fixing to happen. Also, the one who should be scared is the oncologist. AFter all, he sued all the OB-GYN's in North Carolina so I'm sure if she does not make it, he will go after them just as well.
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