This is sad, sad, sad. Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of Vice Presidential candidate John “I’m Feel Pretty” Edwards, has been informed by her doctors that further cancer treatment would be ‘unproductive’. Apparently, there are reports that she has taken a turn for the worse and her cancer has now metastasized to the liver with only ‘a few weeks to live‘. She has released this statement to her Facebook page:

“You all know that 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. 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 days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human.

“But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. 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. To you I simply say: you know.”

We need to pray for this woman and her children. I can only hope she has found some sort of peace during this time.

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Update 12/7/10: Elizabeth Anania Edwards, age 61, died this morning. By all accounts, she was a strong, intelligent woman who stood on her own merits throughout her life. She will remain a role model for women who want to be involved in politics and activism.

She faced both her illness and personal losses with a great dignity and grace. I’m pray for her children and those who love and mourn her.