It Must be Nice

So you are told that your disease is terminal.

Hours later, you and your husband hold a news conference to talk about it.

You go on 60 Minutes to talk about it.

Then, you go out on the campaign trail and talk about it some more.

CLEVELAND -- Elizabeth Edwards said Monday that since announcing a recurrence of her cancer she's been buoyed by a national outpouring of sympathy, including 12,000 emails.

Now she understands how seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong felt as he competed before cheering crowd bicycle races, Edwards said at her first solo public appearance since she and her husband, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, announced last week he would stay in the presidential race despite the incurable cancer that has spread to her rib.

"You can't stop when people are cheering for you all along the way," she said in a speech at the City Club of Cleveland. "It makes the private journey we are going through now easier."

As Edwards entered the room, the crowd about 270 people unanimously rose and applauded. Smiling, she shook hands with everyone at her table before lunch. She received a second ovation as she approached the podium to speak.

As I said before, I'm not going to question how Elizabeth Edwards and her family are dealing with her health problems.

They have to do what's right for them.

Personally, I'm uncomfortable with the matter.

Twelve thousand e-mails.

Standing ovations.

Cheers and applause.

That's nice for Elizabeth Edwards. I'm sure her spirits are buoyed by the outpouring of concern.

Something to remember:

Right now, hundreds of thousands of people are going through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments to battle their diseases. Their loved ones struggle to come to terms with the painful reality and persevere.

They are no less courageous than Elizabeth Edwards, yet they receive no e-mails of support.

No standing ovations.

No cheers and applause.

Say a prayer for all those struggling with disease, especially the ones who feel alone and don't have support or get a standing ovation as they fight for their lives.