Patrick Dempsey is opening up about his Grey’s Anatomy co-star’s state in the days before his death. Eric Dane lost his battle with ALS on Thursday, less than a year after announcing the awful diagnosis. The man who portrayed Dr. Mark Sloan on the hit medical drama had a special bond with Patrick throughout their time on the show.
According to Patrick, he and Eric had been texting for about a week before his death. As is often the case for those with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Eric’s condition appeared to take a rapid and sudden turn when Patrick and some friends came to see him in the hospital.
Patrick Dempsey says Eric Dane “deteriorated rapidly” before he died
By all accounts, Patrick’s last memory of Eric alive was a very different one from their years as close friends on the show. The man who portrayed Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy says that when he and others visited Eric, he did not look well. In an interview with Virgin Radio UK, Patrick says that Eric was bedridden and struggling to swallow and speak. He says that his overall condition “deteriorated so rapidly.”
Patrick reflected on his time with Eric on Grey’s Anatomy, with the former nicknamed McDreamy and the latter McSteamy. Patrick called Eric the funniest man, who often brought joy to the set of a program. “We got along instantly,” Patrick declared.
Upon receiving his diagnosis, Eric surely knew his time on earth would not be long. Before dying, Eric revealed his biggest goal to go out helping someone. There is still no cure for ALS, and most cases have no known cause.
For his part, Patrick was incredibly impressed with everything Eric did to raise awareness for the terminal illness. He says it’s a reminder for all of us to celebrate every day as if it were our last. Eric was married to Rebecca Gayheart in October 2004. The 53-year-old leaves behind two kids.
TELL US – THANKS TO ERIC’S WORK IN RAISING AWARENESS, DO YOU THINK WE WILL SOON FIND A CURE FOR ALS?
