Edwards, Wife to Speak to Press Thursday

[gldstwmn]

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1243915

Presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, have scheduled a press conference Thursday at noon in Chapel Hill.

The campaign would not say what they would discuss, but observers have been awaiting an update on Elizabeth Edwards' latest breast cancer checkup.

According to a statement released Tuesday afternoon, she was expected to have a "follow-up medical appointment" Wednesday to a routine test she had on Monday.

"She's had similar follow-ups in the past, and they've all resulted in a clean bill of health, but Sen. Edwards has gone with her to these appointments, and he wanted to be with her tomorrow, too,” the statement said.

Edwards, who was in Iowa Tuesday on the latest stop of his 2008 presidential campaign, was scheduled to host a house party in Indianola. He canceled the appearance to fly home and attend the follow-up appointment.

Elizabeth Edwards discovered a lump in her right breast during the final days of Edwards' 2004 vice-presidential campaign. After chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, doctors declared her cancer was in remission.

"Today, I am cancer-free," she said in 2006. "So today, I am happy about my health."

She has since authored a book, "Saving Grace," in which she details her fight against cancer, the death of their 16-year-old son, Wade, and her husband's political campaigns.