ok.  I'm not totally unsympathetic with a woman facing such a serious illness.  I've had relatives and friends suffer long and hard after being diagnosed with cancer.  I sat by my dying great-uncle's bedside, watching his labored breathing as his body slowly shut down.  My stepfather fought for years against cancer of the esophogus, enduring treatments and surgeries.  It spread to his brain and within a week, he was gone.

Cancer is ugly. It's unfair. And I wouldn't wish it on anybody.

I also know first hand the fear and worry a cancer diagnosis can bring.

That being said....

Let me get snarky for a moment.  It's a good damn thing Elizabeth Edwards has health insurance and can afford all these tests and treatments and care from some of the finest doctors at Chapel Hill.

I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells on my cervix last fall.  Unlike Mrs. Edwards, I had to rely on my local public health department.  Because of my age and what not and family history, my doctor reccommended a LEEP procedure to remove the abnormal cells on my cervix.  I was (still am) unemployed at the time and had no(and still do not have) health insurance.  I was told that I qualified for the NC Cancer Program which meant that my LEEP procedure would be done for free.

After the procedure and follow up, I received bills from pathologists and doctors.  About 2 grand worth. I also received a letter from the state saying that the Cancer Program would not cover these bills because it had no funds.

I still have to deal with health issues (will they come back? will I develop cancer? will this affect my fertility?) but now I have to deal with bill collectors. 

What a relief to know Mrs. Edwards will receive such great care for her cancer.  I do sincerely wish her well.  That's not being snarky.  But this is only serves as a painful reminder that the poor working class or fallen-on-bad-times class are not able to receive the same care that Mrs. Edwards will receive for the same illness.