Comments on: Edwards out?

By: H. E. Baber

H. E. Baber — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:05:09 +0000

If Edwards gets the nomination (as I pray he will) he’ll be the first authentic Democrat I get to vote for. The last Democrat who held high political office that I remember was Hubert Humphrey.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:45:39 +0000

My mother-in-law died of just this thing almost exactly a year ago. It’s a hard go- for some time things can seem mostly okay (though she’ll not feel good most of the time, for sure) and then go down very quickly and unpleasently. Surely she’ll get better medical care than someone in Russia would and that will make a big difference, but as others have noted it won’t be something that will be minor. Best wishes to them for as good of a go as they can get.

By: Slocum

Slocum — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 20:01:38 +0000

Well, it’s probably no surprise that Edwards would be my last choice among the viable Democrats—a populist, ‘fair trader’ isn’t attractive to a libertarian-leaning independent who greatly preferred Clinton’s free-trade and liberal (in the classic sense) economic policies.

But of course it’s very sad—especially given the young ages of their children. I have to assume that Elizabeth told him not to drop out, and I give her full credit for that.

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:46:05 +0000

I certainly didn’t take your comment as being critical (if you’re responding to me) – I understood it as it was obviously meant, as an expression of personal sadness about someone else’s personal difficulties, leaving the politics to one side. I was just saying that I understand (on a practical level of trying to live with this but not let it beat you) why they may have taken the choice that they have taken of going on with the campaign. Obviously, I don’t have any specific knowledge of why they are doing what they are doing – but I can understand why if I were in their position, I might do what they have done.

By: Jane Galt

Jane Galt — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:30:33 +0000

Oh, gosh, no criticism implied. I’m just sad, that’s all.

By: luci

luci — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:29:49 +0000

I googled a bit (I’m a layman), it seems that when breast cancer metastasizes, it’s considered Stage 4, the most serious. Often after initial treatment, breast cancer pops back up metastasized into “distant areas”. Areas most often affected are 1) bone, 2) lungs, and 3) the liver.

The 5-year survival rate for ALL stage 4 metastatic breast cancer is 20%.

But metastatic breast cancer confined to ONLY the bones, is the least serious of the three. (which might explain the optimistic remarks, compared to the alternatives). 5-year survival rates of this specific type vary from 20% to 50%. Chance of recurrence within those 5 years is 65% to 85%. 10-year survival rates are 25%.

So, it depends on a lot of specific factors – number, location, size, agression of lesions. But it sucks, all around. Sorry for them.

There isn’t any surgical treatment to remove the cancer. Only chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and system-wide approaches.

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:27:13 +0000

I suspect that the family is indeed up against tough odds – but I can also understand why they are approaching it the way that they are.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:57:27 +0000

Unfortunately, I think Jane is correct. My understanding is that her 3 to 5 year survival odds are probably something in the neighborhood of 1 in 4.

By: Jane Galt

Jane Galt — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:42:57 +0000

Sadly, I think “treatable” for breast cancer bone mets is kind of a euphemism here; it means they can extend her life to two or three years, not that she’s going to have some kind of manageable chronic disease. If Edwards gets the nomination, he will probably be a widower in office.

By: Uncle Kvetch

Uncle Kvetch — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:32:22 +0000

Not exactly a banner day for Politico.

By: Steve LaBonne

Steve LaBonne — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:43:20 +0000

I’m glad he’s not dropping out, and my best wishes to Elizabeth Edwards for successful treatment.

By: Filter

Filter — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:32:56 +0000

Well, it seems that he will go on, instead. Good luck to him and Elizabeth.

By: Shelby

Shelby — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:28:05 +0000

Unlike the others here I’ve been neutral toward Edwards. I’d like to see him get more experience, perhaps as a governor, before running for president. I do wish he and his wife well, and it would be a pity to see him forced to drop out of the race for such a reason.

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:18:25 +0000

I saw those comments too, and was depressed and disgusted.

By: r@d@r

r@d@r — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:14:16 +0000

at the very least he should be drafted as a speechwriter for whoever they end up with – his words are dynamite.