John Edwards holds Press Conference about his wifes cancer

[wx247]

I know politics is not allowed here on the board, but I have a feeling that this will be newsworthy. It will likely revolve around his wife's recent medical tests. We shall see. Please keep this thread above board and keep it focused on the press conference, not politics. Thanks a lot!

[Lindaloo]

Didn't she have cancer? I hope it is not bad news for her.

[wx247]

Yes, she had breast cancer, which was announced back in 2004. She had/has been in remission.

[gtalum]

The word I've heard is that the cancer is out of remission and that he is considering dropping out of the 2008 race. We'll have to wait for the press conference to find out for sure.

[angelwing]

Druge has a siren nest to Edwards dropping out, but I can't get into the link to see what the scoop is

[Brent]

WASHINGTON - Democrat John Edwards is suspending his campaign for the presidency, and may drop out completely, because his wife has suffered a recurrence of the cancer that sickened her in 2004, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, sources said Thursday.

A prominent Iowa Democrat told Norah O’Donnell of NBC News that Edwards’ campaign has begun calling supporters in Iowa and telling them that he will suspend his presidential bid and started canceling upcoming events in Iowa.

Meantime, a friend of Edwards told The Politico website: "At a minimum he's going to suspend."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17730088/

[Lindaloo]

A friend of mine had level 4 breast cancer. She survived all the surgeries and chemo. They said they got it all but I have just been told the cancer has come back and has spread to her bones.

I sure hope Mrs. Edwards will not have it as bad! Prayers being said.

[Brent]

Malignant bone cancer, largely confined. Not curable but treatable. Very optimistic about it...

[Lindaloo]

Dangit!

[Brent]

Campaign is NOT affected.

[Regit]

Slight correction...

As presented at the news conference, it is NOT bone cancer. It is breast cancer metastasized to the bone. Pretty significant difference.

[vbhoutex]

Slight correction...

As presented at the news conference, it is NOT bone cancer. It is breast cancer metastasized to the bone. Pretty significant difference.

For those of us who do not understand what that difference is could you or someone with medical knowledge explain this a little more?

[GalvestonDuck]

Slight correction...

As presented at the news conference, it is NOT bone cancer. It is breast cancer metastasized to the bone. Pretty significant difference.

For those of us who do not understand what that difference is could you or someone with medical knowledge explain this a little more?

A cancerous growth is typically made up of cells of whatever organ it is affecting. If the abnormal growth is breast cancer, the tumor is made up of breast cells. If it is brain cancer, the tumor is brain tissue.

Metastasis is when a particular form of cancer spreads to another organ or body system. So, in this case, it is an abnormal growth of cancerous breast cells forming on a bone, instead of a tumor made up of bone cells.

[Stephanie]

This is not good. I think that once it spreads.....

I understand how they want to continue his campaign - very brave, but I can't help but imagine that this will affect it sometime in the future.

My prayers are going out to her and the rest of the Edwards family. It must be so devastating to them.

wx247 - this kind of a post is fine. It's news that's affecting someone that happens to be on a political campaign. It's when the bashing occurs that it becomes a problem.

[MGC]

My prayers to Mrs Edwards and the entire Edwards family. Here at work we just lost a coworker to bone cancer. I went and visited him a few weeks before he was called home to the Lord and he was in bad shape. I would not wish bone cancer on anyone.....MGC

[Lindaloo]

Slight correction...

As presented at the news conference, it is NOT bone cancer. It is breast cancer metastasized to the bone. Pretty significant difference.

Thanks for the correction. But that is basically what I meant. I knew it was not actually bone cancer. My friend is going through it right now. At level 4 even though docs think they have it all there are always cells floating around somewhere.

[Stephanie]

That is a significant difference. However, to me, the fact that it changed and is going after something else means it's not confined.

[Lindaloo]

Exactly Steph. There is no telling hoe many cells are hiding out. Her docs will just have to stay on top of it and prevent it from spreading.

[vbhoutex]

Slight correction...

As presented at the news conference, it is NOT bone cancer. It is breast cancer metastasized to the bone. Pretty significant difference.

Thanks for the correction. But that is basically what I meant. I knew it was not actually bone cancer. My friend is going through it right now. At level 4 even though docs think they have it all there are always cells floating around somewhere.

I can vouch for that on the cells floating around. My dad had level 4 Colon Cancer and they "got all of it". 2 months later they found a few little cells and 6 months later it was over, even with Chemo.

But this thread is about Mrs. Edwards and her family. I am also praying for her and the rest of the family as they do this battle.

Thanks for the explanation Duckie.

[Miss Mary]

Praying for this family. Embarking on a campaign while fighting cancer, seems like too much to handle but I am praying also that she be healed. Doesn't sound good though. I've noticed that when cancer returns, it's often very aggressive, as basically David pointed out. I also like the fact that you reminded us that this thread is about John Edwards wife's cancer.

I just feel very sad for her and this family this morning.

Mary