The Personal and the Political: Elizabeth Edwards as Icon
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.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago, (mine was stage one as opposed to Elizabeth Edwards' stage four), I was completely taken by surprise. I had no family history and was in otherwise excellent health, and I wasn't even on the radar due to my age at the time. I insisted on working all during my treatment (what Elizabeth Edwards says in the Sunday New York Times is completely true: you want to keep working and keep your life together to maintain control of your life, otherwise you let the cancer win) with a flexible schedule and I was lucky enough to have been employed by people who were completely understanding regarding my personal and health care needs (thanks to union insurance, since I was then head of communications for the ACTWU --clothing and textile workers union). I remember telling people who would look at me and say, 'you don't look like you have cancer,' that 'this is what cancer looks like.' I didn't have grave reactions to the chemotherapy so I still looked basically presentable, but regardless, I thought it was critical that I do my part in demystifying the disease.
Yet, throughout my treatment, I was also so aware of those who were less lucky than I, who didn't have the luxury to stretch out treatment through 7 weeks of radiation and 6 months of chemotherapy and thus made quick and expedient decisions about their care so that they wouldn't lose their hourly wages in a factory or their job that was hanging by a thread. (Indeed, the work/family debate that was just held on this site touches on this too--women simply can't afford to get sick because who, then, will run their life and the lives of those who depend on them?!)
I also had access to the best doctors in NYC, therefore among the best in the world, and I knew that I was getting expert care--care that is protecting my life in an ongoing manner, unlike women who don't have that access. Breast cancer treatment can be especially difficult for women outside of city centers or if they have less ability to travel or take the time for their care and often, women make expedient decisions dictated to them by their financial or personal situations that they might not make otherwise.
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.
To be fair, we should remember that both McCain and Guiliani have had cancer.
We should certainly demand that whoever is the nominee of the Democratic Party have a commitment to universal health care. As I understand it, Clinton is for the "centrist" position of demanding it for children only. Children don't get breast cancer. Their mothers do.
March 24, 2007 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Edwards' reaction to this stands in stark contrast to Newt's behavior when HIS wife had breast cancer. When she was still in hospital recovering, that's when he told her he was leaving her for another woman.
Somehow, I think the Edwards' have at LEAST driven a stake into the heart of the Gingrich presidential vampire. Although with what the right is accepting from Rudy, who could know how low they will stoop?
Jan Knaus
March 24, 2007 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for a great post, Jo-Ann.
Of all the major candidates, Edwards has had the most specific, progressive set of ideas on health care. Let's hope this will galvanize the campaign into making it center stage.
Meanwhile, healing thoughts to Mrs Edwards, and to you Jo-Ann.
March 24, 2007 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Catastrophic illnesses can strike any of us at any time. How many of us have adequate disability or life insurance? How many of us can afford to take time from work to properly care for a family member? Who can afford decent legal advice to best put together a will or trust?
March 24, 2007 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I must say that I was quite impressed with the courage and love showed by both John and Elizabeth Edwards during the news conference.
Yes not everybody has a press conference regarding their medical problems but not everybody is a presidential candidate.
Then I remembered Ann Coulter's 'f.....' comment and the big laugh it got from the CPAC attendees. And as mean and pathetic it seemed at first it seemed an order of magnitude worse when compared with the reality.
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D Raymond
Host of Spin Cycle Radio and Now You Know on KSAK
March 24, 2007 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congratulations on winning a shootout with the Big C.
A very nice statistic (in some ways) is that while younger and younger women are diagnosed with breast cancer, when it is typically more aggressive, survival is lengthening.
Best not to get into thoughts on that paradox here but the portents are rather obvious.
I used to correspond regularly with a lady with Stage IV breast cancer who was in a long, long pivotal trial of a cancer vaccine. She was interviewed a number of times. For sure she was an inspiration in the style of Elizabeth Edwards but had no way knowing if she had even been treated for her cancer. The trial was a disaster BTW.
If I had a single wish it would be that Elizabeth Edwards would enter a drug trial. There are many drugs that offer greater hope for the future with less toxicity but only the courage of volunteers will allow them to ever reach the market.
Best, Terry
March 24, 2007 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
thanks to all for your comments. I want to echo the comment by wordie-it isn't just cancer that can ravage a person or a family both in health and economic well-being. Senator Chris Dodd, actually, made this point in the Las Vegas SEIU-sponsored debate today. He talked about how decent health care coverage must include good economic conditions for all.
March 24, 2007 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obviously, everyone has their own way of dealing with something like this.
A coworker of mine was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months ago. He's been at work almost every day. He's lost some weight and his hair is gone. But, he still gets in before I do and I see him working as hard as he ever did (and he was a standout before the diagnosis.)
Watching him got me thinking, of course. What would I do? I fear I'd become a sad sack and wouldn't keep on the way he has. Honestly, working with him, it's like nothing's changed.
And maybe that's helping him beat this thing.
Maybe what I expect my own response would be would also be a death knell for me.
I'm not arguing for any sort of "mind over matter," scenario here. These are serious diseases we're talking about and only the person going through them can figure out how they want to deal with them. Certainly, "going on as usual," isn't a cure and there are physical realities that have to be dealt with.
But... everyone has their own response. Some might well be more helpful than others. For some, convalescence and rest is the answer. For others, it's carrying on as usual.
I have high hopes for my friend and colleague and for Elizabeth Edwards. I also have faith that, when faced with mortality, people know what's best for them. We know that John and Elizabeth have been through this before and we also know that a serious run for the White House is a life-defining undertaking, so I'm sure they both well considered their options and that the choice they made was made in what both feel are their best interests. And... they're likely right because they're the only people who can really know.
thosethingswesay.blogspot.com
March 24, 2007 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe too much can be made of empathy, but I don't think so. The Edwardses must certainly have the strength to walk a mile in any of our shoes, having walked so many painful miles in their own. And I believe their experiences would serve the so very well as "first family." They have all my respect and admiration.
aMike
March 24, 2007 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, *children* are getting a grossly disproportionate amount of the cancers nowadays. It's not something you get only when you are old.
March 24, 2007 9:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It seems like breast cancer survivors may never really be called "survivors" as they must live with the threat of a recurrence. I guess the wound is not only physical but mental.
I wish I had words to say to women who live with this, but I can't think of any that I feel will be adequate.
Suffice to say; "I wish it weren't so."
March 25, 2007 7:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the article and thanks to everyone who posted here. I was diagnosed with a disabling condition a couple of years ago. I tried to stay at my job and my employers were supportive.
Eventually I had to accept the fact that I could no longer do my job and I had to apply for disability retirement (not SS disability).
Due to my reduced financial resources I had to move into housing for the elderly and disabled.
My point here is to agree with the hope that health insurance for all will someday be a reality. I have learned from living here that almost all of us eventually get some disease or condition. Certainly everyone here has something.
I understand that a national health care program would cost less than the expensive health care we now have access to - or not. One national health care program - Medicare and Medicaid - is very helpful for the elderly here.
I also know many people without health insurance who go without treatment due to financial constraints. I know that some practioners do not accept Medicaid patients. I know there have been some cuts in what qualifies for treatment. It's as though you can be as healthy as you can afford to be.
I believe the people in this country will be able to devise a workable national health care program. We need to continually remind our elected representatives to seriously work to this end - and perhaps to remind healthy people that most likely they or someone they love will eventually get sick.
I am quite impressed with Elizabeth Edwards and thankful for her calling attention to this. I am so glad she is reminding us that people with a "condition" are still people!
March 25, 2007 8:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good catch JohnW
The way cancer is being thought about today, is as a chronic illness with periods of exacerbation and abatement. Treatable but not curable, ala Elizabeth Edwards. The critieria for remission were so arbitrary and based solely on approval to market the agents being touted for chemotheraphy as opposed to long term clinical effectiveness.
March 25, 2007 9:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for your sensitive and well-written post, Jo-Ann. Elizabeth Edwards has always struck me as a person of tremendous strength in adversity and grace, and it appears you have the same qualities. I applaud your courage and hers and wish you both the best for the future.
The only thing I can think to add is that it's not only cancer - although cancer is certainly one of the most frightening possibilities - that can devastate a family's (or individual's) resources. There are many diseases and conditions that can so so. And how many of us can afford to miss even a week of work, let along the several months that treatment and recovery can often entail? All the more reason our country must develop a universal health care plan.
How much of our talent and experience are we willing to risk in the U.S. because of the terrible impact of health crises that families and individuals are expected to navigate alone?
Know your enemy well, for in the end that is who you become. ~~Old Chinese Proverb
March 25, 2007 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's another thought: Just think of the difference in your future if you fell off of you own porch and broke your neck, or if you fell down an escalator at say, Saks 5th Avenue.
No one wants a broken neck, but since the former would probably leave you to "spend down" your assets until you could qualify for Medicaid and the latter would get you (after your lawyer counted out his share) some great rehab, your children's education paid for, and you'd get to stay in your own home; if you really had to choose, I'll bet you'd opt for the tragic shopping spree.
In France (just an example), where there is "cradle-to-grave" care, people don't sue over things like that because they don't have to in order to get the care they need.
Other than the lawyers, everyone would gain from sharing the risk of these rare catastrophic events, and making sure everyone got the care they need and could benefit from.
Jan Knaus
March 25, 2007 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elizabeth Edwards is approaching the last years of her life. The prognosis for her is not good. I know, I am being negative, but have had experience with this. She must reconcile herself to her ultimate death and that death will not be "many more years" spent with her husband. Metastasis to the bone is not curable. It is painful and it is devastating. Let us consider that she must live out the last years of her life 'LIVING LIFE" and that is what I perceive her doing here in her choice to go on with it, thumbing her nose at death. It is sad, yes.
March 25, 2007 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are both courageous and excellent role models. Godspeed to them.
March 25, 2007 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink