Surviving Wade

Just when life seemed back on track for the Edwards family, Elizabeth made a terrifying discovery. On the campaign trail in Kenosha, Wisconsin—two weeks before the 2004 presidential election—Elizabeth found a lump in her breast.

Convinced it was a cyst, Elizabeth decided not to tell John and remained on the campaign trail. Upon returning to Raleigh, she went for a mammogram.

Elizabeth says she knew that she was in trouble as soon as she saw the technician's face. "Her face was a portrait of gloom," says Elizabeth. "Now a walking testament to get[ing] your mammograms," Elizabeth admits it had been at least 4 years since her last test. "It's much worse than it might have been if we'd had caught it earlier."