By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

God Bless Elizabeth Edwards. She makes cancer look so manageable.

While she obviously must put forth a public face, she is inspiring many people in the process. Cancer is a frightening and ravaging disease, but studies have shown that attitude has a great impact on the illness and how we cope. Prayer, faith and spirituality as well. Most of all, having the support and love of the people closest and from strangers can do wonders to fill a cancer patient with hope.

The aspiring First Lady and her Presidential hopeful hubby John Edwards were in town just last month to address a health care forum in Las Vegas, just three days after they announced the recurrence of her cancer. They were there to rally some support from some of the thousands of workers who keep the Las Vegas Strip humming day and night.

It was in Las Vegas that the Edwards' did their famous sit down interview with Katie Couric, which got mixed reviews, with some folks insisting Couric was a little tough. Couric, widowed when her husband was taken by cancer, perhaps knows well how hard it can be on a body and a marriage.

Elizabeth Edwards insists her doctors have okay'd her continued campaigning, as long as she continues treatment. But her shocking news, along with the announcement of White House Press Secretary Tony Snow's recurring cancer, have placed the spotlight on people "deciding" not to give in to the disease.

And it has created a demand for insight and information on how people and their families can cope with the diagnosis and the disease.

In light of this, Beliefnet.com is doing some wonderful work in sharing spiritual insights on cancer. I am really proud to report that my husband, Rev. Vic Fuhrman, was asked to lend his expertise. His article and meditation on "Supporting a Loved One Through Cancer" is the cover story on www.beliefnet.com today!

Although Rev. Vic and I are both wedding officiants, he is also a healer who has long specialized in helping cancer patients and their loved ones in his capacity as a spiritual counselor and Reiki Master. He has helped people through the healing process, and through transition, and he has not only great compassion but amazing spiritual insight and expertise in this area.

He also has personal experience of helping a loved one through cancer.

Before I met him 10 years ago, he loved and lost a partner to breast cancer, and having gone through the illness with her it became part of his mission as a minister. Because of his deep and soulful voice -- he's a former radio broadcaster -- one of the ways he helps is with recorded meditations.

My hope and prayer is that this is not an article you will need to read or a meditation you will ever have to listen to. But unfortunately, this is a topic that effects so many of us -- too many of us. Our prayers go out to the Edwards family and all the couples and families who must learn how to cope with cancer and find a way to heal, thrive, and live!

If you are trying to help a loved one through a cancer experience, please give Rev. Vic's meditation a listen and check out his article on how to deal with a loved one's illness.

You can also check out his website www.Enervision.org and contact him at ReikiVic@aol.com .