CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- Elizabeth Edwards said that she got some good news: She has a type of cancer that is more likely to be controlled by anti-estrogen drugs.
Mrs. Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, expressed frustration with reports that she's likely to die within five years. She said doctors can't give her a reliable life expectancy and even if they could, the information would be of no comfort to her.
"I don't care," she said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press as she campaigned with her husband.
"I'm going to fight exactly as hard if they tell me that I've got 15 years or if I've got 30 years. I'm still going to fight to get rid of this -- if they tell me I've got 15 minutes I'm still going to fight. It doesn't matter what the prognosis is. So it's not an important piece of information to me."
The return of the cancer has created quite a bit of discussion as to should John Edwards stay in the race. I've had the discussion with many friends who believe once it was stated the cancer returned the Edwards family should focus on their family and not persue presidential dreams. I can understand part of that argument, I also understand the arguments that have been presented that should John Edwards be elected president and Elizabeth's health deteriorates, it could become a factor in his ability to lead the country.
This type of feeling is going to have to be something that the Edwards campaign faces and I'm not sure how to overcome that...
4 comments:
It doesn't matter what her prognosis is - if he wants to run and she's supportive of that, he should run.
Like I (too) frequently say, even if she were perfectly healthy and he won the election, she could still get hit by a bus. Logically, I realize that this isn't likely, since several secret service people would be more likely to get hit by the bus first, but my point is that life is completely unpredictable and no one should ever deter themselves from their goals because of what MIGHT happen.
And speaking from personal experience, I would be much more concerned about the president's ability to lead the country if his/her spouse died suddenly and unexpectedly.
Thanks Val, I lean that way as well, but I think this is an issue that is going to come out again and again. How it will affect the campaign is something we will have to wait and see.
I agree an unexpected death could just as easily happen with any president.
I think it is only an issue if she said he shouldn't run and he still did. I agree that is she is supportive of his candidacy, quitting will be of no benefit. And if she honestly believes that John Edwards begin president is what his best for the country, quitting the race would be worse than staying in. Plus, quitting would kind of be like admitting defeat in the battle against her cancer. I am sure that he would not be campaigning if she were in the last stages.
I say leave her alone, but keep her in your prayers.
Elizabeth is a big girl and she knows what she is doing.
In a way, it may be how she can handle this best, by campaigning.
It's not for us to judge. . .
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