Thursday, February 16, 2012
Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with Experts

Dear Elizabeth Edwards: Thoughts from Breast Cancer Patients, Survivors

   

Thank you, Elizabeth–

A tribute

Elizabeth has finally lost her battle with this cruel disease; and her passing will be noted by more than the usual circle of family and friends.
Find out more >>

Featured Posts from a Survivor

  • John Edwards affair
    Dear John Edwards...
    Read a few choice words from a breast cancer survivor for the unfaithful father, husband and senator.
  • PJ Hamel
    Missed Mammograms and a World of Hurt
    Elizabeth Edwards shared the following details about her initial breast cancer diagnosis: Her tumor was 9 cm at the time of diagnosis; her cancer has since recurred and is considered incurable.
  • Elizabeth's Cancer Recurrence Strikes Us All
    News about Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer recurrence brought about shock, pain, and a great, great sadness. One of our own has been struck again by this evil, random disease.
  • Run, John, Run! 
    I’m sure that Elizabeth will be energized by helping her husband continue the good fight, and that she’s anxious to remain a part of the Edwards team as long as she possibly can. Any of us with cancer would do the same. 

 Thoughts from Community Members

  • Judith Rosenthal Schwartz
    Elizabeth Edwards' Recurrence and the Importance of Breast Cancer Screening
    As all of us who've had breast cancer will agree, Elizabeth Edwards' news hits us hard.  I think it's important to say that a clear mammogram cannot be relied upon for women with dense breasts.
  • Risk Factors, Causes and Judgments: The Elizabeth Edwards Story
    "When I found out that Elizabeth Edwards had not gone for routine mammograms and her tumor size was 9 centimeters, my first thought was, Hey, haven’t I already observed that self-sacrifice usually backfires?" writes Mary Blocksma.
  • Meet Mary Blocksma
    Elizabeth Edwards
    "Two and a half years ago, the day I was told that I had breast cancer, I came home stunned, only to hear the news of Elizabeth Edwards’ same-day, similar diagnosis. Beyond my real admiration for her, I’ve felt a special kinship with Elizabeth Edwards, and feel particularly devastated now," writes Mary Blocksma about Edwards' recurrence.

More on Elizabeth Edwards

  • Beth Brophy
    Cancer Recurrence: Our Private Nightmare on a Public Stage
    For those of us with cancer in our past, seeing and hearing our own private nightmare projected on the national screen can’t help but bring back our own fears.
  • About Courage: The Edwards' Decision
    Mary Blocksma reflects on courage: "When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and pretty much continued with my life, friends often told me how much they admired my courage. It always puzzled me, because what were my choices? I could go on with my life as it was, as best I could; I could take time off to heal; or, I could…what? Kill myself?"
  • The Media and Cancer Overkill: Suddenly, Having Cancer is "In"
    "While I was undergoing breast cancer treatment, I was not invited to a social event given by a friend’s wife because she did not want her happy event marred by a guest who looked visibly ill. While her behavior was extreme, obviously I haven’t forgotten about it. And I can’t help thinking about it, this week, as cancer seems to have become the newest hot media topic," writes Expert Patient Beth Brophy.
  • Elizabeth Edwards: A Model of Courage
    There’s never a good time to hear a cancer diagnosis, but it’s hard to imagine worse timing than for Edwards, who found a lump in her breast in October, 2004, two weeks before her husband, vice presidential nominee John Edwards, and his running mate John Kerry, conceded the presidency to George W. Bush. She went straight from the grueling campaign trail to seven months of treatment--chemotherapy, lumpectomy and radiation.
  • Esther Kowalski
    One Year Since Diagnosis
    Community Member Esther Kowalski responds to the announcement of Elizabeth Edwards' cancer recurrence: "I am more distressed today as I realize that being told I was cancer free in Sept. after the chemo was finished, doesn't mean I will necessarily stay cancer free.  I just heard that Elizabeth Edwards who had breast cancer in 2004, just found our that it has returned.  I am feeling really depressed."