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Elizabeth Edwards continues her fight; but believes that cancer will win.
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Elizabeth Edwards
Prior to her husband running for Vice-President, few knew this lady who resided in North Carolina as a mother, wife, lawyer and then senator’s wife. Elizabeth supported her husband’s campaign for vice-president very aggressively while inside her body cancer was growing aggressively.
She discovered the lump while Senator John Edwards was making his bid as Vice-President of the United States. After John Kerry’s loss in 2004, John Edwards later ran for President in the 2008 campaign; and apparently at the same time having an affair with one of his campaign workers, Rielle Hunter.
Even after Elizabeth’s treatments, the cancer has survived growing into Stage four; and has invaded her bones. But Elizabeth has also survived and has been aggressively fighting this disease.
Pain is not new to Elizabeth as she lost her son Wade at age 16 in a car accident in 1996; and today she says that nothing has compared to that loss – not her cancer and not the scandal that she has had to live.
She says that Senator Edwards continues to be supportive of her and that she is making the most of every moment that she has; feeling at this point that God is not going to cure her; but she will not be daunted and allow cancer to take from her what she has left. We can all still pray for a miracle in her life.
She says that she is writing about their story; and while it is not the love story she had hoped for, as all brides do on their wedding day, it is none the less their love story.
Elizabeth Anania was born July 3, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida – she is now 60 years old. She met John when they were both in law school and were married on July 30, 1977. They have been married 32 years.
After the death of her son Wade, she and John decided to have more children; the first when she was 48 and the second when she was 50. She was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 3, 2004. She has since written two books: The first in September of 2006: “Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers; and then the second in May of 2009: “Resilience: Reflections on Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life’s Adversities.” The first book is an account of her life after the death of her son, and her battle with breast cancer; the second also; but additionally her husband’s infidelity.
She continues her chemo every month, has moved into a huge new home, has children to raise, books to write; and the knowledge that there is another woman out there with a child, presumably her husband’s although he denies this. And while cancer and eventual death must loom large in her mind and has a large portion of her attention, she continues to live her life moment by moment.
Apparently, she and John have made a pact. According to her interview, they will remain married until death do them part. This strong and inspirational lady lost her career, her position, her child, and her husband to another; and if there is any validity to the theory that cancer can be brought on by stress and wrecked emotions; she could be the poster child. And through it all she remains determined to live her life and spend time with her children, Jack and Emma Claire who are still so young; and their eldest daughter, Cate who is in her twenties.
You can see a portion of her interview here and also see a listing on the side – which is a wealth of information about breast cancer. This is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there have been many campaigns to raise money for a cure – for treatments - and for help for women who are enduring this awful disease. But every month should be breast cancer awareness month for women of all ages – yes even little girls have been known to have breast cancer – as well as some men – no one is completely exempt – but this is mostly a disease of women who have reached puberty; and on through the senior years.
The site is sponsored by AOL Health and is subtitled “United for Pink – Breast Cancer Awareness.”
Woman to Woman: In 2002, I was diagnosed with DCIS, a form of breast cancer, and underwent a total mastectomy as there was no lump – mine was discovered via a routine mammogram as compared to the one I had previously. Had I waited to find a lump, it may have been much worse – regular monthly breast exams by women are usually the way a lump is first discovered – but a mammogram can pick up a spot as small as a dot. Both are important for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
Since no two women are exactly alike; cancer does not react the same for all women. There are many options that one can discuss with their doctor; and there is help in facing the decision you have to make. The American Cancer Society maintains a hot line 24/7 and will have someone there to talk with you and give you information. 1-877-ACS – 2345. The Susan G. Komen organization is a great resource as well.
There will be a follow up on this site giving a great deal of information accumulated by me and from an interview with a lovely lady named Michelle with the American Cancer Society who is sending me additional information on resources and support groups.
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