Edwards should consider postponing his Presidential bid...

[ecstatic]

I caught a glimpse of Elizabeth Edwards on (I think) Larry King last night. I was shocked and saddened by her changed appearance. :cry:

I don't think the added stress of back to back interviews and the campaign trail will be good for her health. :scared:

[Buzz Clik]

1. My guess is that he'll drop from the race if her health declines.

It won't be a postponement.

[WI_DEM]

2. I saw her too, but I guess I didn't see her the way you did.

but I'm sure if they have to they will make that decision. In a way keeping active and going on with her life might be the best thing for her.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Agreed. And nicely stated.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. They have already made their decision.

It's their business -- Elizabeth Edwards wants to continue with the campaign, so that's what she should do.

[babylonsister]

4. O- - K...

:popcorn:

[Dr.Phool]

6. What does this have to do with Imus?

[Cirque du So-What]

9. Mercifully, nothing

I'm making a conscious effort to avoid any & all threads with 'Imus' in the title for the duration.

'The duration of what?' you may ask.

Just the duration. That is all.

[AndyA]

7. I'm certain the decision to remain in the race was made with the advice

of Elizabeth's Doctor. They know the toll a campaign can take on a person, and I'm sure that was a consideration.

Often, having something you must do each day keeps you going. I once read that special events, occasions, and goals often seemed to keep people alive longer than they otherwise would have lived. The article mentioned a higher death rate after such events happened, and they believe the anticipation of the event itself sustained life longer.

This is a dream Elizabeth and John have had for a long time. I don't believe either one of them is going to give it up based on health alone, unless Elizabeth takes a turn for the worse.

At any rate, it is their decision to make and it won't do much good to speculate about it. If Elizabeth didn't want to do the shows or campaign, due to feeling bad or tired, she probably wouldn't.

[Rydz777]

29. Inspiration

Elizabeth Edwards is an inspiration. She's able to turn a cloudy day into a sunny one. Whatever the outcome, John Edwards is lifting the Presidential campaign by presenting a detailed platform on all the issues - which will hopefully force the other candidates in both parties to do the same.

[karynnj]

38. I didn't see her, but I saw the announcement

and she looked fine. The problem is that because her condition is known, any time she looks less than 100%, these comments will be made. She could have had a simple cold or had less sleep than usual.

In her case, this is a permanent condition - it is not curable. She may live 20 years. Should she and JE throw their lives away? No one has a guarrantee that they will be alive in 4 years. Should Hillary not run because BC had heart surgery? Romney's wife has MS. McCain had skin cancer.

They have handled this awful news with good grace. I hope the other candidates in the primary and the general election do not make this an issue - overtly or covertly.

[Colobo]

8. Didn't see her

Hopefully she'll have the strenght to fight on, but one never knows.

[MonkeyFunk]

10. I didn't see her

but that's sad to hear. I really admire her.

[nannah]

11. john mccain has malignant melanoma

that isi why his cheeks are swollen, giving him the nickname walnuts. no one is telling him to quit. and that fred fellow who is the actor from law and order announces that he has lymphoma as part of his run up to throwing his hat into the race. why isn't everyone specculating on how their cancer will affect their decisions?

it seems to be a double standard, a man can be expected to work on through whatever his health concerns (think about cheney's heart) but because john edward's wife has cancer they are supposed to put their life on hold?

ps. it is hard to put the words "cheney's heart" together since the idea that he has one is hard to fathom.

[Clark2008]

20. John McStupid and Formidable Fred don't have little kids.

That's the only part that bothers me about the decision to stay in the race.

[benny05]

24. Actually Fred does have a little one

Second marriage.

That aside, I think Elizabeth is looking better. She looks like she's working out and getting some good nutrition. I saw her last summer and had noticed she started losing weight. She told someone at Converge South conference that she had lost weight and was continuing to try to do so.

Please check out this forum if you haven't already:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x22675

It's a new video to thank us all and you will see the flowers the DU sent her in the first part of it.

Livestrong, my lady Elizabeth!

[Catchawave]

30. The kids are WITH them on the campaign trail

w/tutor. What a great experience for Jack and Emma Claire, imo.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

40. I have a feeling we will see "great things" from the Edwards children

They have great parents. Lots of attention and support. They are not, and will not, be living an ordinary life, especially when their father becomes President. Expectations will be made of them, and they will have the guidance, support, love to deal with them in a healthy way. Unlike other presidential offspring.

[loyalsister]

49. That bugged me too

Those kids already had to go throw a heafty grieving process. They will need a lot of support through her illness.

[madmunchie]

12. I agree with you

Campaigning puts a great strain on anybody, so much more when you are so seriously ill. It seem as though this woman would literally die to give her husband what he wants. First infertility treatments and a midlife pregnancy, now this. Not to say that she may have wanted both to. But my suspicions are that she does it for him. Just as she wrote the book knocking the Kerrys, JE kept his hands lilly white.

[WinkyDink]

35. What did she say about the Kerrys?

[madmunchie]

52. Dished them after the POTUS run in 2004

[RB TexLa]

13. I can't even begin to think of the guilt I would feel if my wife had to give up anything

because of my health. I don't care what is wrong with me, I would never do that to her.


on edit: changed could to would. There is no way I would ever let her give up anything over my health.

[ecstatic]

14. I hear ya.... I was neutral until I actually saw her last night

The difference was jarring. My gut reaction is that she doesn't have long (I really really hate saying that, but its glaring).

[AnotherMother4Peace]

19. I thought she looked gorgeous - she had a younger look, hair brushed back & loose, very becoming

[Catchawave]

32. She's been working out !

Also eating a healthier diet !

[NCarolinawoman]

51. I thought she looked pretty.

Yes, I know you lose weight when you have cancer, but I thought she looked pretty.

[alkaline9]

21. while I tend to agree with your sentiment...

...I am not one to TELL my significant other what she can or cannot do. If Mrs. Edwards chooses to do this I'm sure it is of her own accord. If her husband were to turn around and say, "No dear, I WILL NOT LET YOU" then I would have less respect for him.

We have no idea what is said behind closed doors. JE may have ASKED her not to go ahead with all of this for the sake of her health, but this is ultimately their decision. For all we know she only has days, weeks, or months to live, and would rather help her husband make the best future for himself and their children in a "Better America"... can it get much worse?

Just my $0.02.

[RB TexLa]

23. Mine wouldn't have to make any choice, I'd just lie to her about my health if I thought

she was going to give up anything over it.

[supernova]

25. That's so sad

:cry:

[alkaline9]

36. on 2nd peruse I see I mistook your original words...

I thought you were saying that JE should TELL his wife that she CANNOT do whatever because of her health. You were in fact pointing out that if the situation were reversed, you would definitely sacrifice your health for the good of your significant other.

Yes, that appears to be what she is doing, and good on her if that is what she chooses.

[madmunchie]

54. I agree, I wouldn't give up anything to run for POTUS and my small

children who may very well lose their parent, will just have to learn to live without either parent.

[MalloyLiberal]

15. How about you stop fucking telling them what to do?

They made their own fucking choice. It's NOT YOUR CHOICE. IS THAT CLEAR

[kirby]

16. None of your business, to be honest.

The Edwards did 'consider postponing' his campaign. As a family they decided against it. Apparently they feel they are strong together and having a sense of purpose is better than waiting around
to possibly die. It amazes me how many people either don't understand this, or feel they have some type of obligation to tell other people how to handle their illness. If they reassess the situation and change their mind, I will support THEIR decision.

[ecstatic]

33. My mother also chooses to work despite her health

And even though it's her decision, its still painful to watch. Some people are workaholics and will continue to put themselves last despite the circumstances.

I knew I'd get flamed but I can't help thinking that there is more to life than just work.

[kirby]

41. Define 'work'

It depends on what you consider 'work'. If sitting in a cube for 8 hours gives you nothing but boredom and depression, I can understand.

But I would tend to think that traveling across America and trying to shape the future of this Country is on a completely different level. For the Edwards'
that might bring a sense of purpose to their lives and their battle with the cancer.

Not sure about your mothers situation, but there may be a different between 'have to work' and 'choose to work'. Regardless, its a highly personal decision that they
already made. If I have to make a similar decision, I would hope that people would support my decision. The last thing I would want is the added 'stress' of people
second guessing my decision instead of focusing on the good I'm trying to do.

[saltpoint]

17. Perhaps it's none of your business what her doctor tells her, what she

discusses with her husband on the matter, and most importantly, what she decides for herself.

If you are her personal physician, let's hear what you have to say.

If you are not her physician, not her husband, and especially not HER, you need to stop this negative crap on Democratic candidates.

This has been covered and covered some more on blogs and in the media, and the issue is resolved against your bias.

Update your file.

[Catchawave]

28. Thank you

I couldn't have said it better :hi:

[saltpoint]

31. Good howdy to ya, Catchawave, and I hope your weekend is

off to a great start.

I woke up this morning a Democrat and by god I'm STILL a Democrat.

Go, team!

[benny05]

42. Like your avatar..

:hi:

[saltpoint]

45. Hey there, benny05. I like yours, too!

:dem:

:hi: :thumbsup:

[jsamuel]

18. Um, he did for one day. They talked it over and they decided to continue.

[supernova]

22. So she will have an off day sometimes

I think the people who are shaking their fingers at EE for continuing to campaign says a lot more about our attitudes about illness in this country than about EE.

"Put the sickie away so we don't have to look at the effects of illness." It almost always comes disguised in *whispering* "I think she should take care of herself better..."

You know what? I didn't see her last night; but even if she were bald and weighed 85 lbs BUT STILL WANTING TO TALK, I'd take her.

She may have had a treatment yesterday or the day before and is a little off. So what? That is usually a finite period just after treatment. She'll deal with it. She evidently felt being on LK was an OK experience.

[Blackhatjack]

26. If you read her book you would understand she makes her own decisions, very strong person...

I can understand people being concerned about her health, and that they think they know what is best for her.

However, Elizabeth is exactly the same person she was before she was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer. She is very intelligent, and knows the facts about her illness. She is not a shrinking violet when it comes to doing what she thinks is best. She is a fighter for what she thinks is right. And she cares deeply for her kids.

Given all of that, I believe she is making the only decision which is right for her to continue this campaign, and she has weighed the consequences of that decision on all those around her.

Just my own opinion, but I believe she will last longer and do better being engaged in a cause she feels so strongly about, which can help so many other people, rather than going home to do nothing but watch her days slip away. She is setting an example for her kids that they will carry with them the rest of their lives.

[Snotcicles]

27. I think she has come to grips with her situation and feels

so strongly about her husband leading our country.
Maybe she believes that what precious time she has, is best spent doing what she is doing.
When someone is this committed to getting their message out, maybe we should pay greater attention.
I think Mrs.Edwards would be an exceptional First Lady by any measure. I'm saddened that she my not physically fulfill my wishes, but she has by her action and Mr Edwards by his, earned my whole hearted support. I think their qualities and capabilities will reveal themselves to all of you if you keep open minds and open hearts.
ADD:
Sometimes people when faced with their mortality, dig deep within and transcend their physical presents.

[Blackhatjack]

34. People who suffer great loss(like death of a child) often experience clarity we cannot understand...

I have heard it described this way.

Until I was faced with the prospect of losing my life, or the life of my child, I did not appreciate the fact that each day we trade the precious time we have remaining on this earth for something. This clarity moment helps us understand that most things we trade our remaining time for are urgent, but not important.

When we come to grips with the fact that time is a constantly depleting resource, we can choose to make that trade count for the things that are most important to us. Without the tragedy or possible loss of life we are seduced into thinking our time is worth less because we believe there are unlimited tomorrows when we can get around to doing the important things.

Elizabeth has faced that moment of clarity. I support her, and thank her for her sacrifice for all of us.

[Snotcicles]

39. Well said. nt

[liberalnurse]

37. Why should Edwards drop out

when it's his wife that is ill? Most all people continue their employment while a spouse or child is ill, terminal or not.

Your option is very dramatic and lacks reason.

[spooky3]

43. I trust them to make the best decisions.

I think they know a little more about the situation than I do.

I don't like commenting on people's appearances, but I thought she looked and sounded as great as ever.

[lonestarnot]

44. Yes. They should make that decision not us.

[Catchawave]

46. EE on Larry King - 4-12-07 TRANSCRIPT

<snip>
KING: Alright it's been three weeks now, Elizabeth, since you and your husband announced to the world that the cancer you were first diagnosed with has recurred. How are you feeling physically?

EDWARDS: I feel fine, physically. You know I've got two kids who keep me pretty busy. I was up at 5:00 with them this morning. So if I get worn out, it's probably more likely to be a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old than the recurrence of the cancer. I've had no side effects so far. No symptoms whatsoever.

KING: What treatment are you getting?

EDWARDS: I'm getting a bone strengthener that I take intravenously. It just takes 15 minutes. There's no apparent side effects and I'm taking a drug that is tailored for the kind of cancer I have, that I hope will be enormously successful in reducing it in my body and certainly keeping it under control.

KING: When someone says something you to like "inoperable" or "terminal" or those kinds of words, how do you deal with that?

EDWARDS: Well, I mean you've sort of been in this position too where you face something that's pretty serious.

KING: Correct.

EDWARDS: The truth is that all of life is terminal. We're all dying some day.

KING: Correct.

EDWARDS: So that's the prognosis for all of us. But Jonathan Alter said something to me, which was really right, he said, "You know you all are saying that this is incurable. When the real thing you should be saying is it's not curable at the present time" because as we know, the great strides we've made in medicine.

You remember when Magic Johnson made his announcement and we all thought in our heads if we didn't say it out loud, I wonder how long he has to live. It can't be very long, a year, two years. And in truth, what was incurable, maybe it's not -- it's still not curable, but it's completely manageable and he's lived a completely full life ever since that diagnosis. I hope to do the same thing.

KING: What did you make of all of the flack over the fact that your husband continued the campaign?

EDWARDS: Honestly, it didn't bother me for us. We're used to criticism. What it bothered me about was other people who are facing exactly the same kinds of questions we're facing and decide that what they're going to do is embrace their lives. They're going to continue the work that they thought was important yesterday is still important today and will be important tomorrow. And I was fearful that people took that as a criticism of them and the choices they made. For us, you know, it's water off our backs. We're used to criticism.

<snip>

There's more and she weighs in on the I-Mess too :

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0704/12/lkl.01.html

[AshevilleGuy]

47. It would be better for her to sit home and wait for the doctor to call

with more test results? Keeping busy and a positive attitude are essential! Last night she said to Larry King that she feels no side effects or symptoms. I will certainly take her word for it.

[etherealtruth]

48. I, too, think she looked "bad"

... but, I'll leave it to them to decide what is best for them.
Whatever they decide, I wish them both well.

[renie408]

50. Yeah, I think we all know what is best for them. I mean, its not like they are intelligent adults

or anything.

I think they should just go home and wait for her to die. That would be much better than continuing with the lives they have chosen.



(I can't remember how to make the dripping sarcasm thing.)

[napi21]

53. I did not see her on King, and the most recent pics I've seen

were from the last few days while on the campaign trail.

I think you have to remember several things here. She isseveral years older than she was during the last campaign, and I did notice she'd aged a bit. But more important than that, I remember what I thought when Arlan Spector was going through his cancer treatment. I recall seeing him speaking on the Senate floor or chairing a hearing, and I honestly thougt he was dying! I would have bet $$$$$ that he wouldn't make it, but I was WRONG! He never quit the Senate, andif he missed any time, it sure wasn't much.
Look at him NOW! He looks fine to me!!!!

It's unfair for any of us to try to insert our opinionsinto the lives of John & Elizabeth. They are both intelligent people, and they will do what they believe to be the right thing at the time.