RIP Elizabeth Edwards

Apparently, when her publicist released the statement about the decision to stop chemotherapy, the situation was much more grave than they let on.  Elizabeth Edwards died today at the age of 61 after a 6 year battle with breast cancer.  Her family issued a statement about an hour ago:

Elizabeth Anania Edwards, mother, author, advocate died today at her home in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family. Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence but she remains the heart of this family. We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life.


On behalf of Elizabeth we want to express our gratitude to the thousands of kindred spirits who moved and inspired her along the way. Your support and prayers touched our entire family.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wade Edwards Foundation which benefits the Wade Edwards Learning Lab at www.wade.org.

Elizabeth Anania Edwards

July 3, 1949 ~ December 7, 2010

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

Amen.

 
It's funny, I found myself awake at about 3:30 this morning, unable to get back to sleep.  I suppose I was worrying about all those things "cancer" related that I don't have control over.  As I was sitting at the kitchen table, correcting Amelia's math lesson, it occurred to me that I'm a big dummy!  Why in the world would I waste my time worrying about something that may or may not happen when I've been given the most PRECIOUS gift of being able to homeschool my kids and be with them more?  This is nonsense!  I'm not sure why I do this to myself.   Even after the epiphany at the kitchen table, the wind was still knocked out of me when I read the news of her death this evening.  All I could think about was that jerk rat fink good for nothing man person she was married to and how I'd like to crack him over the head with a baseball bat right about now!    Well, I guess it beats the pity party I was having last night!

Very Sad

This has been such a wonderful, festive day here in the Widener house that I hesitate to end it on such a negative note, but, I had to post this....

Elizabeth Edwards life drawing to a close.

This news has made me very sad.  While I am NOT a supporter of John Edwards (never have been and never will be), I have always admired Elizabeth and her determination to fight this disease.  She has handled it with grace and style.  I am sad that her life is coming to a close at such an early age...I am sad that she has had to deal with the infidelities of her spouse in addition to fighting a physical battle.  I am sad that modern medicine was not able to overcome the ravages of these out-of-control cells.  Damn.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in November of 2004, then the cancer returned in 2007.  She has lived my greatest fear.  My oncologist once told me that breast cancer most commonly recurs somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd year.  THIS IS WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW!  You have no idea the fear that engulfed me when I read the above headline.  You.seriously.have.no.idea!

I realize that it is very dangerous to compare yourself to the cancer journey of someone else.  I do not know (at the molecular level) how her cancer works and grows.  But I do know that it metastasized to her rib, her lung, her hip...and most recently her liver.  My heart hurts for her, and for her family.  May God be with her in a special and close way during these last steps of her journey.  May she find the peace that passes all understanding.  May the closeness of her family and friends bring her comfort and joy this Christmas.

If I could see her face to face, I would say THANK YOU, ELIZABETH for fighting the good fight!  For being an inspiration to me and for smiling through it all!  God Bless You!


I don't know....maybe I need to change the name of my blog....I'm just not feeling very unafraid lately.  Sigh.