Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, has written a personal account of her breast cancer diagnosis, treatments and recovery in a new book called Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength From Friends and Strangers.

During the presidential campaign, Elizabeth was in Wisconsin twelve days before Election Day 2004 when she found the lump in her breast. Few people knew of the possible breast cancer diagnosis to come, and the day John Kerry conceded the election to Bush, she was driven directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for a biopsy. She began cancer treatment almost immediately after the confirmation of breast cancer.

Kerry was one of the few people who knew before the public announcement the day Kerry conceded the race, and she speaks highly of his compassion and support. Elizabeth describes Kerry as a great cheerleader, flattering you and urging you on, and she said it is something her family will never forget.

Breast cancer diagnosis was not the first difficult emotional challenge the Edwards family has faced, In 1996, their son Wade, who was 16, was tragically killed in a freak car accident. The family is close and supports each other, and so when it came time that Elizabeth was losing her hair to chemotherapy, her husband and son Jack offered to shave their heads in solidarity. She said she convinced them that one bald person in the family was good enough.

According to the book description, her new book offers descriptions of her husband's campaigns for Senate, president, and vice president in a fascinating perspective on the groups, great and small, that sustain our democracy -- and her years as a mother focus on the support she and other parents offered one another, from everyday favors to the ultimate test of her own community's strength-their compassionate response to the death of the their son Wade.

She says during her fight with breast cancer, many people extended their support, and this reaffirmed her belief in the power of community to make our lives better and richer. You know, of all the wives of presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls, I liked her the best. I don't think I was alone. You can place an order for a copy of Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength From Friends and Strangers and Amazon will ship the book as soon as it released.