Patrick Swayze will not be down for breakfast

[darph nader]

The sad part is,I remember him on an episode of M*A*S*H,and his character had lukemia. :( How ironic is that?

[Ms. Matterhorn]

Thanks, Purpie.

Does anyone remember the movie, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar"? Swayze was great as cross-dresser Vida Boheme, a character with a heart. It's one of my favorite movies. It has a Gabriel Garcia Marquez Arrival-Carnival-Departure formula, like his story "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings", and "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World".

Sorry, I'm showing off my Spanish Literature major.

[Whazzup]

I don't want to start a new thread so I'll post here. My brother John passed away last night from brain cancer. He was diagnosed over 4 years ago and was given 3-5 years to live. His symptoms were getting worse lately and his wife suggested we visit him (they live in Oregon and we're in Florida) while he was still able to function. I'm so glad I spent 10 days with him in early August. We drove around to a lot of his old stomping grounds and had a great time, even though he tired quickly and was having trouble with vision and balance.

He went in for more surgery a few days after I left and the cancer had grown throughout his brain. During surgery he suffered a stroke which left him paralyzed on the right side and unable to speak. He was sent home about a week ago and was going to need 24-hour care, quoted at $15K a month! One of his sons took a leave of absence from his job to stay with him and help with his care, but he deteriorated rapidly. My other brother who lives in Washington state came down to spend the last few days with him. John passed quietly, surrounded by loving family and beautiful music to send him on his journey. He fought a good battle and I'm glad he's now at peace. He was 57 years old, robbed of many good years by the evil called cancer. He will be greatly missed. His quirky sense of humor and witty puns kept us laughing even as his health was deteriorating. I think heaven will be richer for having him reside there.

Thank you for letting me vent here with the SGT family. :(

[hobie16]

That's not a vent. It's a summary of how you and your family loved your brother and how terribly you all will miss him.

I'm very sorry about your loss.

[ktulu]

Sorry to hear that Whazzup, we will keep you and your family in our prayers.

[turkeyham]

That's sad about your brother. I almost started to cry because of the sad story. :(

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

that is very sad. and 57? that is way too young.

[DragonFox98]

Whazzup, I am sorry for your loss. My brother in law is going through that with his own brother this moment. At least your brother was surrounded by those he loved in his final days.

As for pancreatic cancer....it usually kills the person within six months of detection. Three people in my immediate family have passed this way. Once it was found, it was a swift and hard decent. I am amazed that Patrick lived as long as he did (and well...he acted on Beast for A&E) after he was diagnosed. From what I understand, he did try different treatment regimens that "normal" folks probably couldn't afford. I'm glad he held on as long as he did.

And, yes, I remember his portrayal in "Too Wong Foo" very well....it's still one of my favorite movies.

[Purpura]

*Hugs Whazzup* Your Brother was loved by you and the rest of his family. He's in a better place, and will be watching over you, healthy again...

[Whazzup]

Thank you all for your condolences. We four siblings in our family have always been very close, even when separated by great distance, and the loss of our brother has left a chink in our armor. I wish we all lived closer so we could console each other, but we'll settle for knowing that John's spirit will always be with us.