I take Swayze's death kinda personally...

[Bicoastal]

...because my own Grandfather died of Pancreatic Cancer.

At the age of 11, it shocked me to my core when I learned that there was a disease with practically NO hope of cure or recovery. Even among Cancers, PC is a monster--off the top of my head, it kills something like 97% of those its diagnosed in, and it almost doesn't matter how early it's detected. You get the diagnosis, and your months are numbered.

My Grandfather was no Patrick Swayze, but he was an extraordinarily active, healthy man who went to the gym daily even in his 70's. It shocked all of us, him most of all, that he would be the first grandparent, the first member of our family's GI Generation to die. There was nothing anyone could do about it. I clearly remember saying to my mother, "But, he could get better, right? If we all help him and he works hard at getting well..." And I trailed off as my mom shook her head and started to cry.

Some day, somewhere, some smart person will find a cure for this awful disease. For now, we can only watch its victims, among them strong, vibrant people like Patrick Swayze and my Grandfather, accept their mortality and come to grips with their final days on this planet in a way that makes them happy, comfortable, and at peace.

RIP Patrick.

[ZombieHorde]

1. Sorry about your Grandfather. nt

[eleny]

2. _

:hug:

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cleita]

4. I met him and his wife and his dogs when he was making a movie in

a place I worked in. They were a very nice couple. Famous celebrities aren't always so nice. RIP Patrick.

[Berry Cool]

5. So sorry about your grandfather.

Yes, it's such a cruel thing...by the time people know they have pancreatic cancer they usually have only a short time left. Horrible. RIP to all it has taken, Patrick included.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Bicoastal...

I hear you, sweetie...

One of my dearest girlfriends, a coworker of many years, died of it too...

Way too young, she was about Patrick's age...

This terrible disease just upsets me no end...

My deepest condolences to you ...

:hug:

[susanr516]

7. I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer

almost 50 years ago. Even with all the advances in cancer treatment over the years, this one is still almost always a killer.

[Born_A_Truman]

8. So do I

My mother died of pancreatic cancer. I spent the last five weeks with her and before that, every weekend--except for a trip my sister and I took to her hometown and made videos for her as she couldn't attend her HS reunion.

She was given 3-6 months and passed away 11 months after diagnosis. I hate cancer and especially pancreatic cancer.

I know how you feel Bicoastal. It's very personal.

RIP Patrick.

[Parker CA]

9. Bicoastal, the same thing happened to my grandpa, also when I was 11. He was gone in just four weeks

That was one of the most cruel things I have ever seen happen to a person. The deterioration was visible daily, dismantling an incredibly strong man right before my eyes. I'd never known something so destructive.

I'm happy that it didn't take longer than it did. I can't imagine him dealing with that kind of pain for months on end.

[GReedDiamond]

10. Add me to the list. My father was taken by pancreatic cancer...

...back in 1994, and it's sad to hear about Patrick Swayze.

He seemed like a pretty decent guy. I worked on some costume graphics in "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar," and enjoyed the movie when it came out, and a big part of that was Swayze's character. Unfortunately, not all of the films I've worked on have been as entertaining to watch.

R.I.P. P.S.

[Lisa0825]

11. Me too. My uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and was gone three weeks later.

I barely knew him, because he lived across the country from me, but I remember my mom's sadness, and I remember being shocked because I'd never known of someone going so fast from cancer.

[whogasa736]

12. Agood actor and a

A good man Gone RIP

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Lost my MIL to this horrible disease. My husband, too, thought she had a chance and it was

so very hard to explain to him that this is a not a cancer that anyone ever beats. :cry:

[MissDeeds]

14. So sorry about your grandfather

One day, hopefully in our lifetime, there will be a cure for this cruel and insidious disease. :grouphug:

[nolabear]

15. Swayze called it The Beast. I'm sorry for your loss.

And I hope humanity gives it all we've got to effect a cure. May they both rest in peace.