Original Blog Entry: Elizabeth Edwards' cancer takes turn for worse

truesee — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:41:38 GMT

Elizabeth Edwards' cancer takes sharp turn for worse; estranged husband John reportedly by her side

Helen Kennedy

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Originally Published:Monday, December 6th 2010, 5:24 PM

Updated: Monday, December 6th 2010, 5:29 PM Sayles/APElizabeth Edwards arrives at the 'Stand up to Cancer' event in Culver City, Calif., in September.

Elizabeth Edwards' loved ones were rushing to her bedside Monday after her cancer took a sharp turn for the worse and doctors said further treatment was useless.

The wronged wife of the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee posted what read like a goodbye on Facebook:

The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that, she wrote.

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, Edwards said.

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 Edwards family in Chapel Hill, N.C., released a statement saying that doctors told her any further treatment would be unproductive.

She is resting at home with family and friends, the statement said.

ABC News reported the former senator was also by his estranged wife's side.

Elizabeth Edwards, 61, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in the final days of her husband's failed 2004 general election campaign. She was a popular figure on the campaign trail and a major asset to her husband.

The cancer went into remission, but returned in 2007 during his 2008 primary bid - when the North Carolina senator was also secretly cheating with the blonde videographer who would bear his child.

He continued both his campaign and his marriage until the lies caught up with him in August 2008.

A federal grand jury is investigating potentially serious charges of using campaign donations to pay off the secret girlfriend. His former campaign manager and his press spokeswoman gave testimony last Thursday.

John and Elizabeth, married 33 years, are legally separated and were reportedly planning a final divorce next month.

They had four children: an adult daughter, Cate; a son, Wade, who died as a teenager; and two younger kids, Jack, 10, and Emma Claire, 12.

Edwards fell ill over Thanksgiving and was briefly hospitalized last week, People magazine said. Doctors advised her to return home. The cancer has spread from breast to bone to liver.

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, Edwards wrote on Facebook.

To you I simply say: you know. With love, Elizabeth.

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