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December 7th, 2010
07:46 AM ET

Elizabeth Edwards stops cancer treatment, releases statement

(CNN) – Elizabeth Edwards is surrounded by family and friends in her North Carolina home after being informed by her doctors that further cancer treatment would be unproductive.

"Elizabeth has been advised by her doctors that further treatment of her cancer would be unproductive," the Edwards family said Monday in a statement. "She is resting at home with family and friends and has posted this message to friends on her Facebook page."

The message from Edwards, the wife of two-time presidential candidate John Edwards, reads:

"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. 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.

"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. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know."

Edwards was told by her doctors last week that additional cancer treatments were futile, said a source close to the family. Her prognosis was described in terms of weeks, not months, the source said.

She is receiving treatment and medications, however, for symptoms and side effects.

"She is not in pain, Elizabeth is in good spirits," said the source. "She has prepared for this"

John Edwards and their children are at her side, along with Elizabeth's brother and sister.


Filed under: Politics • Top Stories
soundoff (8 Responses)
  1. Carl

    R.I.P Elizabeth . The talk should be about the positive in her life. What happened between her and John was their business and their families.

    Elizabeth lived her life her way, with bravery and love for all.

    December 8, 2010 at 6:37 am |
  2. BORIS K'ZORIN

    @Sand. You undrestand this is not a legal advice. Her/2 is very advanced. Take extremely healthy style of life, move lymph that designed by nature to remove all wrongs from body. Avoid any emotional distress, any. Be strong (no threatment exsist at this century also for celebrity) and be happy!

    December 8, 2010 at 2:31 am |
  3. BORIS K'ZORIN

    I told already yesterday, emotionally, that I would completely understand her choice to leave not effective treatment to continue battle for a life. But after reading this "source message" above it looks like not only ordinary and reasonable people receive such messages about removing from sources, but, unfortunately, and celebrety too. And so I repeat – this is shame of American medical science to lose people, women, especially from this kind of illness. My wife and I battled that American enemy; we did everything accesible to survive, finally found relief that good people are always in demand, everywhere ... Be happy, Elizabeth!

    I am for sure that prolonged emotional distress was a reasonig in Elizabeth's case too, but John's conduct only that is family issue, but public. Again emotional distress kills.

    December 7, 2010 at 11:49 pm |
  4. Junebug

    God Bless you Elizabeth, as God welcomes you into heaven, may he comfort your children, family and friends during this difficult time for those of us still on this earth.

    Elizabeth Edwards seemed to be a true courageous lady, wife and mother, despite life's most difficult hardships of her child's death and her husband vagrant disloyalty, lies and infidelity, maintained her dignity and displayed her strength, faith and fought the valiant fight with her cancerous battle.

    I have had nothing but admiration for Elizabeth Edwards, from the moment I first knew of her, through the political arena if I recall correctly. I have admired her strength, dignity, commitment and loyalty (one could go one and on – for this beautiful lady and soul) from that time on. I am only sorry that I was never fortunate enough to meet or know Elizabeth Edwards personally. My own Mother fought a long 4 year, valiant fight with pancreatic cancer, that inspired and encouraged many other cancer patients and the medical community alike, only to lose her battle this past July. Fortunately my father, although 11 years older and still living at 86, and always expected he would proceed her in death, he never once cheated on her.

    John – I can only pray that you ask God for forgiveness for your actions, sins, disloyalty and infidelity. Although I respect you for finally taking responsibility for your extramarital child, you certainly dishonored your true family. I am not even democratic, but I supported you for President, until I heard what you had done to your most beautiful loyal giving and forgiving wife. May you and your new "family" ask forgiveness and have God in your lives.

    December 7, 2010 at 9:31 pm |
  5. sand

    I had breast cancer surgery yesterday. Does anyone know what type she has? Mine was her/2, estrogen pos. Is this what I'm looking at as my future? At least my children are grown. Thanks.

    December 7, 2010 at 3:48 pm |
  6. Lori

    I feel awful for her. Such an intelligent and strong person who has a lot to offer this world, sad that her time has to come way to soon. She has lived with grace and I expect she will die with grace. The hardest part would be leaving the children but at least she has had time to prepare them and plan for their future, there is some comfort in that. I will pray for her and her children.

    December 7, 2010 at 10:33 am |
  7. janie in LA

    Heartened that Mrs. Edwards is said to be in good spirits. Know that, in spite of her estranged husband's treacherous behavior towards her, it must be a bitter-sweet comfort to her to know he will try to be a good father to her children, especially the ones at such tender ages. Only hope he keeps his lover,s public tongue under control, for the time being. May she be allowed some peace and dignity in this most trying time.

    December 7, 2010 at 9:51 am |
  8. Julie

    Our friend Jeff had inner lining chest cancer. Never smoked. Given just few weeks to live. Jeff was a biochemist, he contacted A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research. These people do the holystic diet and vitamin therapy. He stopped eating meat, and sodas, and took many vitamins. But, this reduced his cancer by 2/3rds, and, he lived another 6 years. Had he not opted for chemo to get rid of remaining cancer, I think, he would have still been here today.
    This research crew does mainly pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
    My advice to Elizabeth is not to give up just yet. Find the right people.
    Mother always said, "Where there is life, there is hope."
    Even those cancer centers of America have great success. I have read many people's stories online, of when they were given no hope at all. They sought out and won.

    December 7, 2010 at 9:44 am |