Elizabeth Edwards halts cancer treatment
UPDATE. Since this posting, we have learned of the sad news of the death of Elizabeth Edwards.
The news started trickling through my Twitter time-line late last night – ( late in terms of Greenwich Meantime that is). A feeling of solidarity rippling through the online cancer community as we read the latest news on Elizabeth Edwards, recently released from the hospital where she was admitted over Thanksgiving, and who has now stopped all cancer treatment.
This is how ABC reported the news yesterday.
“Elizabeth has been advised by her doctors that further treatment of her cancer would be unproductive,” said a statement released by Edwards’ family. “She is resting at home with family and friends.”
A close friend of the Edwards family told ABC News that John Edwards is among those who are at her side. The friend described the environment at the house as warm and peaceful. The mood was sad, but also full of warm feelings too.
The friend said Elizabeth is not in pain, and is at peace with what is happening. The children, the friend said, are doing “OK.”
In a message on her Facebook page, Edwards wrote a message that hinted at her pending death.
“You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope,” she wrote. “These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined.”
“The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human,” wrote Edwards.
“But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”
The family friend said that Elizabeth wanted to communicate via Facebook because she feels a connection with so many people who have read her book and heard her speak. She wants to “exit with hope,” the friend said, and in a way that she chooses.
It is impossible not to be moved by the grace and dignity with which Elizabeth Edwards has lived her life and is now facing her death. I think we all would hope to emulate her example in the face of loss and pain; in the way in which we live our lives, and face our death. Perhaps that is the reason why so many of us feel so deeply moved by her story. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Elizabeth and her family at this sad time.
See also: Elizabeth Edwards on Resilience
What an amazing woman!
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We are all amazing women I think Kim!
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Like you I saw a lot of her on the news here last night and as well this morning. Indeed she does define grace and dignity.
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Yep, she is all those things. What a sad story.
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I too am very moved by this story and wish her a peaceful passing.
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I am reflecting on how much the story of Elizabeth Edwards moves us all – we feel united in a common bond brought about by our own struggles with loss. Elizabeth has endure many losses brought about my the loss of her child, cancer, and her marriage break-down. Through it all, she has shown dignity, resilience and grace and that is why we all feel so moved by her story and her example.
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I agree with Lorraine. Like a lot reading this story today, we don’t live in America and yet, we identify so much with her story of fortitude and grace in the face of such losses.
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What an epitaph – one we could all emulate:
“But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious.”
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Oh Evanna – you are so right!
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The news about Elizabeth Edwards really shook me up because her recurrence took place shortly before my mother’s. My mother liked to compare her cancer to Elizabeth’s, she felt a real connection to her. Unfortunately, the two cases are appearing more similar now than ever with Elizabeth’s cancer spreading to her bones and then her liver, just like my mother’s. It brings back many emotions for me.
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This is indeed the problem Nancy – we identify so strongly – I am sorry if it has brought back some sad memories for you.
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Thank you Marie for introducing me to yet another amazing woman.
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Elizabeth Edwards is indeed a woman of grace. I will always be grateful to her for writing about short piece in my book, “The Breast Cancer Sisterhood.” At the time, she was going through a lot publicly, but it was important that she write this, herself, and not have a staff member write it, which I gather often happens with public figures.
Something she told me is so true: When she meets another breast cancer survivor, she instantly knows her better than she knows some of her best friends. I agree. We’re total strangers who become instant sisters who understand and mirror one another’s deepest hopes and fears before we’ve even said, “hello.”
I’ve included her in my prayers many times over the last six years, and she and her family are there once again.
Brenda
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Brenda, thank you so much for sharing such a personal memory of this remarkable lady. May she rest in peace.
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Lorraine said it better than I could. Elizabeth’s struggles were out there for all to see, and we could identify with them in our own way. The way she seemed to handle them is how we must all strive to be.
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