Two Reactions to the News About Elizabeth Edwards

While I was as saddened by the news that breast cancer that Elizabeth Edwards learned about back in late 2004 has returned, I have not blogged about this as I don’t have a loved one who has suffered from breast cancer. So I’m lucky but I’m also clueless about what couples go through. So let’s hear from Jo-Ann Mort instead:

I admit that my first reaction when hearing that Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer had returned (aside from deep sadness for her and her family) and that her husband was nonetheless, going to continue with his campaign, was surprise. I found it difficult to see how the campaign could move forward with this new situation, but now, a few days later – and after reading reports of her prognosis, among other things, I have great admiration for their decision. As a breast cancer survivor myself, it’s difficult to look at Elizabeth Edwards and not wish her well – but there is more. I hope that her public stature brings attention to the need for how cancer patients are treated in our society, and especially regarding the precarious nature of health coverage and health insurance for those of us with a history of cancer … Today, after two recent cancer scares, I live with the constant fear that I will be denied health coverage or find myself in a situation in need of expensive drugs or specialist care that I can’t afford. This fear never goes away – and it won’t until our country makes the steadfast decision not only to make health care accessible to all, but to equalize treatment so that no woman is making a decision regarding her health based on what she can afford or can’t afford regarding her work situation. As the candidates debate health care issues in Las Vegas today and throughout the campaign season, perhaps issues of access to care will come up. And we’ll have Elizabeth Edwards’ heroic decision to thank.

Well said! Now for the view from the right from someone who is more clueless than I am. Media Matters listens to Rush Limbaugh so we don’t have to:

Rush Limbaugh told listeners that former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and his wife Elizabeth are “political people [who] are different than you and I.” Referring to the couple’s March 22 announcement that Elizabeth Edwards has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, Limbaugh said: “[M]ost people, when told a family member’s been diagnosed with the kind of cancer Elizabeth Edwards has, they turn to God. The Edwards turned to the campaign. Their religion is politics and the quest for the White House.”

Did I say clueless? I meant pathetic.