Patrick Swayze passes at age 57

Dirty Dancing & Ghost are two movies that most everyone knows that Patrick Swayze was the leading man. After a two year battle with Pancreatic Cancer Patrick Swayze lost his battle. As he was going through treatment he continued working on his new drama series, “The Beast.” Patrick Swayze was the subject of a one hour, “Barbara Walters Special”, on http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=8574333. In this interview he stated, “I keep my heart and my soul, my spirit open to miracles. But he won’t chase every open miracle, or pursue any type of experimental treatment that popped up he would be spending too much time chasing staying alive and he wouldn’t be able to live and enjoy what life he had left.” Patrick stated, “I want to live.” Patrick was hospitalized a short time later with pneumonia. “ How do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you’re a dead man? He asked the NY Times, and so eloquently stated, “You go to work.”


When I heard the loss of such a battle by such a great, deep hearted man as Patrick Swayze my heart sunk, thinking that this great warrior fought a huge battle few have won. Deep in my heart when I first heard the diagnosis I instantly thought if anyone has a chance that one is a fighter he can do it. But the further time went on I started questioning the fight he had left in him.


Patrick Swayze was one of a lost breed, he was a man that exhaled romance, and a man that women saw bring back the concept of a gentleman, a romantic gentleman. You as a woman, could almost see the gentleman in him with just his appearance. The famous, “Ghost,” or the equally famous, “Dirty Dancing,” won the female population with one big sweep. What any woman at that point in time would of given to have been Demi Moore or the small but powerful Jennifer Grey. It was chivalry at its finest!! Mr. Swayze preformed in over 31 movies not mentioning Broadway productions. His undoubtedly unexpected changes in performances, or movie criteria kept his fans constantly wondering what was next? And this is the way he wanted it, “keep them guessing.” My connection to Patrick was more than my childhood crush, but with my family full of victims of cancer, it was personal. You tend to pay more attention and a lot more thoughtful thoughts and always remember a kind word is appreciated but a prayer is always needed.


A superstar by label but by heart he was a normal everyday guy just like you and me. He purchased an extremely large horse ranch in the San Gabriel Mountains, this was his sanctuary. As he stated to the A.P., “One of the reasons I bought my ranch was because I didn’t want to hear the hype.” I honestly feel that the loss of Patrick Swayze is the loss of true Chivalry. Patrick Swayze, 1952-2009; another victim in the war of Cancer, good-bye sir, you and your talent will truly be missed.