ABOUT allDAY

allDAY is the official TODAY blog, your virtual window to Studio 1A and the people who make America's favorite morning show come alive. Whether it's exchanging views with the anchors and contributors or going behind the scenes with the producers, editors, camera people and more, we'll bring you the buzz here at 30 Rock, and we hope you will make this a regular part of your online routine. We want this to be a conversation, so please respond with your comments and questions directly to the blog, and we'll do our best to post what you have to say.



Live from Studio 1A: Elizabeth Edwards

Posted: Friday, March 23, 2007 7:16 AM by Elizabeth Neumann
Filed Under:

IMAGE: Elizabeth EdwardsThis morning the bulk of our 7:00 half hour was spent tackling the topic of Elizabeth and John Edwards' announcement yesterday about her cancer diagnosis.  The breast cancer she fought three years ago has metastasized and spread to her ribs.  Yesterday during the press conference, most of us in the office were watching at our desks and commenting on how sad it is to hear the news.  It's especially sad that she has faced up to such challenges in the past. 

This morning we had Dr. Nancy Snyderman on out of the open of the show to discuss the prognosis and explain a little bit more about what type of cancer Elizabeth is facing.  She also talked about what courses of treatment Elizabeth will probably follow.  One important point that Nancy stressed is that at this point we have to think of Elizabeth's cancer as a chronic disease, as opposed to a fight for a cure.  This is an illness Elizabeth Edwards will be living with for the rest of her life.  Matt interviewed Tim Russert shortly after and asked him about the political reaction to their announcement.  Overall, I feel like what I react to with this news is the entirely human element of facing such a challenge in the public eye.

I wonder, as I think all of America may be wondering, how Elizabeth will handle undergoing treatments while her husband remains on the campaign trail.  It might be helpful for her to have a mission, something to focus on other than her disease, but it also involves a lot of traveling and wear and tear, which could be exhausting.  It's also hard that a large part of Elizabeth's public identity is now her struggle with disease.  Having had a good friend go through cancer, I know that a big part of giving support was remembering that cancer was something she was battling or living with, but not who she was.  I'm sure Elizabeth Edwards does not want to be defined by an illness, but having announced her diagnosis so publicly and with such strength and optimism, it may be hard for her to escape that.  What do you think about this?  Most of us have seen someone deal with cancer, and we know it is not always a pretty battle to fight.  How do you balance getting the privacy you need to face hardship while still being supportive of the dreams of your family?

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

I imagine since she will only get this one chance to help her husband run again, she will feel compelled to make the choice of letting her cancer just be a part of her life, not consume it.

Rebecca Hively, New Waterford, Ohio (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 9:09 AM)

I have heard nothing but negative things on the radio for the last day and a half.  Many people were saying "he has lost my vote" he should stay at home and be with his wife.  She is not dying...yet, what are they supposed to do, stay in the house and close the drapes.  Her life is not over, she may be lucky enough to have many years with the man she loves and her children.  Now is not the time to shut down, she has a war to fight and being involved in the lives of the people she loves is a great battle ground. Thanks for listening.

Judy Sokol, Lawrenceville, Georgia (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 9:26 AM)

This is really sad news. But at least Elizabeth Edwards is still fighting for survival. I wish her luck.

Rose (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 10:41 AM)

I taught music in the public schools for many years. Today I was filled with great joy on the story of "Spinx?" developing the love of classical music for both black and hispanic students.I feel the Today show is an educational program that is not doing enough for classical music. Sometimes the pop is of the very poorest quality. Give me more stories about classical music and more classical music. If you educate more will enjoy listening and performing it.

Bob Johnston, Wallingford PA (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 11:23 AM)

I lost my best friend to cancer. She had the surgery, chemo, radiation and eventually a bone marrow transplant. Her life was consumed with hospitals, physicians, treatments, pain and suffering. And....it bought her probably an extra two years....enough time to see her daughter married. Not having suffered personally as my friend did but watching it evolve, I would hope that focusing on something other than yourself would give what life you have left more meaning. They are right...they can't afford to cower in a corner. They need to live life to the fullest and doing what matters most to them right now...today is all we have. This breaks my heart because of what I have seen but I admire them so much and wish only the best for this family. They are people we should emulate.

Sharon Beebe, Lubbock, TX (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 11:38 AM)

I sincerely hope that Elizabeth can beat the odds. However, It seems profoundly inappropriate to continue a campaign knowing that she realistically has 1-5 years left. If it was me I would set aside my ambitions and take my wife to visit the pyramids... watch the sunset on the Cook Islands with my children.... Sit and pray in St Vitus cathedral in Prague... I would do meaningful things. Instead she is going to spend her last months as just another politician's wife.

Charles Roberts, Calgary, Canada (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 11:54 AM)

What a fighter. I hope everything goes well with her and the family as they will be traveling all over for this campaign. God Bless the family and hope for the best in this campaign.

K.C. Louisiana (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:01 PM)

I am afraid that she will be compelled to "fight the good fight" by oncologists that have to get paid instead to seek to be as comfortable as possible. Instead of making her days a living hell with all of the chemo that they are going to subject her to. This is the only country in the world were we fight the inevitable til the end. It is possible to manage the pain with drugs, chemo does not help with pain and enjoy each and every day that she is meant to be here.

L. Steele, Fort Lauderdale, Fl. (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:21 PM)

I would like to see Mrs. Edwards look at alternative medicine. Conventional treatment for most all cancer is through means of invasive eradication, usually through radiation or chemical therapy. There are however, scores of success stories about individuals that have extended their life and quality of life by natural alternative means. Many have had complete reversal of what was determine to be non treatable cancer by the conventional medical community. Many of the alternative treatments can also be used along with convention means without interference. Maybe someone who knows how to get in touch with her, could give her the encouragement to pursue this type of treatment. In additional to all I have said, I would like to encourage those that pray, to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to intervene in her illness. Prayer is a powerful tool and the Lord can do far greater things than anyone else can do.

Randall Topping (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:25 PM)

This is a decision for John and Elizabeth Edwards. It is possible that being busy and focused on a campaign rather than on one's health can prove itself a distraction. One cancer patient I know said she preferred to work rather than have too much time to dwell on her disease. A number of presidents have had very hard things happen while in office. Abraham Lincoln lost a son and so did John Kennedy. I believe that Edwards is the kind of man who will soldier on and do his job despite his personal misfortunes. Edwards has been and remains my first choice in the field. His unequivocal stances on the issues have impressed me. He will make a fine president if elected. I wish Elizabeth didn't have to go through this!

s. sanders (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:31 PM)

I am very sorry to hear that Ms. Edwards has to go through this again, but she has everything that she needs to survive, a loving husband, children, family and friends and the most important thing of all God. I am a cancer survivor and I know what she is going through. I am on my third bout with cancer and I know the Ms. Edwards and I and others in our situation cannot give up no matter what. My prayers are with you and your family Ms. Edwards, God bless and you are going to be fine, because strength comes in numbers.

Shirl Bradford, Virginia Beach, Va. (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:34 PM)

I would fight just like I'm sure Mrs Edwards wants to. The will to live is strong. But, to maintain a presidential race to me is not proactive. They have children. With one parent ill, the kids will need him. Not our nation. Anyone with this type of cancer knows the odds. Prepare the worst and hope for the best. Maybe she will beat this. There is hope. Plus there are cures for diseases all the time.

Teresa Roberts jacksonville Florida (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:37 PM)

All of my best wishes go out to the Edward's family. The fact that they have decided to stay on the campaign trail is admirable, and most likely theraputic. My question is, what happens if Elizabeth becomes "sickly," in which she mentioned she wasn't in Thursday's press conference? John made it clear that if she was suffering, he would be by her side. Their love for one another has been well documented. So, what happens if John is elected President, Elizabeth becomes "sickly," and eventually dies? Is this something we want our President to be going through while in office, and how would that affect our country? On a side note, I have the same concerns about John McCain regarding his own health.

Kevin Tye, Queen Creek, Arizona (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:43 PM)

God has and continues to use John and Elizabeth for great purposes. I look forward to even more inspiration and genuine examples for "the right way of life" which will surely bring blessings to us all. They have a natural talent for spreading "humbleness" and I am thankful they are touching my life.

Sandy Pharo, Carrollton, TX (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:57 PM)

I, too, am a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in December 2000, lumpectomy on 12/15/00, chemo and radiation in early 2001. Cancer was in remission for five years; it came back in 2005 in my lungs. Went back on chemotherapy in January 2006, off and on thru-out 2006. How am I doing? Physically, pretty good. Mentally, had it not been for my faith in God, to maintain my optimistic attitude, I probably would not have made it through it all. FAITH in God is everything to me, and I'm a living witness.

Barbara Brooks, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 12:57 PM)

I'm disappointed in Edwards' decision to continue his campaign. I'm sure that Elizabeth wants him to continue his quest for the presidency, but dealing with stage IV cancer will require his undivided attention in order to provide the best possible care for his wife. My wife was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in 1994 and while we had many good days, as the cancer progressed the time commitment for dealing with the disease increased very rapidly. It was very difficult for me to continue working even though I had a job in which I had considerable flexibility. His first priority should be to take care of her as she faces what will undoubtedly be the most significant struggle of her life.

David Moewes (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 5:32 PM)

I firmly believe that Mrs. Edwards is making a good choice in continuing on with her life, including supporting her husband in his bid for the presidency. My wife was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in January 1997 and went through courses of chemotherapy as well as several other drugs. About 4 years after she was diagnosed the cancer spread to the bone as well. One of the first things her employer asked her when she was first diagnosed was how could he help. Her answer - just let me continue to work at the job I love (Preschool Director). My wife passed away in January 2007 having lived with the disease for ten full years. I can tell you that over that ten year period she missed almost no work and lived a very full life with her family. She was always there to support me in anything I chose to do as well and I really believe that her upbeat attitude about her disease helped her to survive and live well for as long as she did. I wish Mrs. Edwards the very best of luck for her future.

Ed Dertinger, Ronkonkoma, New York (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 5:38 PM)

You go girl. What a brave and optimistic lady. Keep that positive attitude. All my best wishes and prayers are with you. I too am a cancer survivor that was found accidently and it saved my life.

Jovana (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 5:54 PM)

Elizabeth, you are in our prayers. You inspire us and give us courage. What a good example you show to the world. Keep going onward! Also please return John's hug.

Gwen and Sarah (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 6:05 PM)

With all of our blessings to a couple who has shown great strength through such a tribulating time....Go forth with what is in Your hearts! I do believe that the choice to continue has been a united one that is only between the Edward's family and GOD. Maintain your great attitude, love and most of all respect for one another and the children. No matter what....YOU have the greatest of all....LOVE.

L.A.Taylor, Stone Mountain, Georgia (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 7:03 PM)

Our prayers for healing are with Elizabeth Edwards and her family. May God bless them for their optimism and decision and will to carry on with the campaign.

Flora Stern, Seaford, New York (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 8:52 PM)

I too am a breast cancer survivor. I can't believe the simularites we have. I lost my son in a farm accident when he was 4 1/2. I was diagnosed with breast cancer Feb 2002 and last year it came back in my spine. So like you I had a biosopy and was told that my breat canacer spread to my bones. I had a compression fracture and they replaced my L4 and did a 2 level fusion. I then had radiation and now I'm doing some chemo. I know that this is not curable, but treatable. I believe a positive attitude is a very big part of getting through this journey along with my Faith in God. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Elizabeth & John you are an inspiration to us. We will survive.

Jackie Thiesse (Sent Friday, March 23, 2007 9:10 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

More allDAY

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories

Syndicate This Site

Add allDAY to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google

MSNBC Weblogs

More Links