Biden cancels events as mother-in-law battles illness

[kpete]

Source: CNN

October 4, 2008
Biden cancels events as mother-in-law battles illness
Posted: 03:50 PM ET

(CNN) — Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden is cancelling his campaign events for Saturday and Sunday as his mother-in-law battles a serious illness.

The Senator from Delaware's campaign spokesman, David Wade, put out a statement saying "the campaign has cancelled Sen. Biden's schedule today and tomorrow because of a serious illness in Jill Biden's family. Hospice has advised the Bidens to remain close by, and we appreciate everyone's respect for the family's privacy."

Wade is referring to Biden's wife's mother who is in a hospice in Pennsylvania.

Biden was scheduled to speak in Washington D.C. and then attend a fund-raiser in the nation's capitol Saturday night. Sunday he was expected to campaign in Virginia.


Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/biden-cancels-events-as-mother-in-law-battles-illness/

[krispos42]

1. Hospice... uh oh, that's not good

:hug: to Biden

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Oh Damn! My best wishes to Joe & Jill & Jill's Mom...

Hospice?:cry:

[happynewyear]

3. oh no!

prayers for you and your family Joe! O8)

:kick:

[Muttocracy]

4. wow, this has been a tough week for them :(

[jules1962]

5. Yes it is a tough week.

The entire Biden family will be in my thoughts and prayers.:hug:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

12. I thought that while he did very well during the debate...

that he'd didn't have that Biden 'glow' -- that he seemed tired and subdued. The bailout legislation and his son deploying were bad enough, but now this. :(

[nickyt]

6. Yes, hospice is "bad", but it's also the greatest thing in the world for us family members

who are about to lose a loved one. I have had dear ones in their care in the past (as recently as 3 weeks ago, when my best little friend died...I'm 57, she was 51). I draw great comfort knowing those marvelous hospice "angels" are tending both Jill's mama and her stunned family.

May her passing be gentle and as pain-free as possible, and of course, may her family be sustained by the many thousands of good thoughts sent their way from caring people they don't even know...

[lamp_shade]

7. Beautifully said, nickyt. They are Angels indeed.

My Mother was in their care for over a year before she died last year.

[nickyt]

10. I am so sorry for your loss, lampie...that's when I first found out about hospice,

when my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1994...in fact, she died 14 years ago today. It took a long, long time to comes to terms with the loss of her, so I hope you are slowly "adjusting" (if that is the word) to a world without your mama in it...I send you all best wishes.

[silverojo]

20. Hospice is a godsend

My aunt was in hospice care for 13 months. It was so wonderful, being able to have her at home with us, instead of having to go to the hospital all the time.

[renate]

8. I'm very sorry about your friend

I hope her death was peaceful.

:hug:

[nickyt]

13. Thank you, renate. She had a stroke and never woke back up. The funny thing is,

my little friend had worked in a hospice in TX for many years, and always said she never wanted to "linger", so in that respect, I am glad she went quickly, just as she wished - plus ended up in hospice care herself till her last breath, ten days after her stroke...

thank you again, and you know, we're all in this together, aren't we?

[renate]

15. it sounds like it was pretty close to the kind of death she would have wanted

She didn't linger, presumably wasn't in pain, but maybe part of her was still aware of friends and family and loving care.

Still, a difficult loss for you.

[DrZeeLit]

9. People who work for hospice are angels. Beautiful that they bring comfort to the Bidens.

I'm not normally an "angel" person -- but I cannot give enough credit to those who come into our homes or facilities as hospice.

My heart goes out to Jill Biden and I hope she has an opportunity to love and cherish her mother through the caring arms of hospice.

The Bidens are the epidome of class -- Joe relies on himself as the candidate and doesn't "use" his family.

I'm so proud to be a Democrat.

Yup yup.

[Deb]

11. Keeping the Bidens in prayer

Take care of you and yours, Senator.

[MaineDem]

14. Best wishes for the family

But Joe knows where his priorities are right now. It's why I really like him and his family values.

[Delphinus]

16. You said it exactly.

His priorities really show who he is.

Blessings to all of them while they come to terms with this death.

[frogcycle]

17. I met him last December

and several of his family. they are absolutely terrific people. I only spoke with him twice, just a few sentences each time, but he is absolutely the most captivating, genuine person I have ever met. I stood next to him while he fielded questions from a crowd, signed autographs, etc. I was just blown away with how he connected with each and every person he spoke with. The rest of the world just disappeared as he listened to them and then answered thoughtfully. His brother and i were trying gently to pry him away as he needed to catch a plane, tape an interview, get some sleep, and do a Sunday morning show the next morning. Jim kept looking at me, shrugging and grinning, mugging it up. I felt like I was a MEMBER of the family, after only a few minutes contact.

This family is special. And it was crystal clear from whence comes that specialness.
They will be supporting each other. I feel for Jill, hope her mom is at peace, and am glad she has Joe.

[SharonRB]

19. My experience meeting Joe was like that, too

I felt how he connected with each and every person he met and spoke with. He's a wonderful man.

[SharonRB]

18. I know what they're going through

My mother was at home in hospice for two months before we lost her April 6. My thoughts and prayers go out to their whole family. I know it's not an easy time for them -- especially for Jill.

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe a couple of weeks ago and getting to talk to him a bit.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

21. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Bidens...

and all their family.

[Trillo]

22. This will be a difficult time for their family, essentially a "private" matter.

Best wishes.

---

Anyone besides me notice that Biden's picture also disappeared from the banner at the top of the page?

[Faeya]

23. My prayers...

First of all, for the Biden family. Second, for the media to leave them alone in their time of sadness. Finally, for the McShame campaign not to try anything stupid while Senator Biden is out of commission.

:grouphug: to you, Joe, and may there be many O8) looking over you and your family.

I'll pull out my rosary and say a few decades for you this weekend!