ABC11EyewitnessNews 0 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 From the Charlotte Observer: Melissa Greer, the WBTV meteorologist who learned late last year while pregnant that she had a rare and virulent cancer, died Friday at Carolinas Medical Center. She was 27. Greer's optimistic and public handling of the disease inspired people across the region, making her focal point for people touched by cancer and a frequent mention in prayer chains. "So many people respected her for with the grace with which she handled this situation," said Channel 3 reporter Molly Grantham, Greer's friend and former roommate. "She was full of spirit, full of life. She rolled with the punches, including this." Greer developed complications in her pregnancy in November. Physicians discovered a cervical tumor. It was soon diagnosed as large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, an aggressive cancer so rare that at any given time only a few dozen people in the country have it. She underwent a regimen of chemotherapy at CMC in December, but the procedure failed to halt the spread of cancer cells to other organs. On Feb. 6, eight months into her pregnancy, she delivered a healthy son, Connor, by Caesarean section at the University of Iowa Hospital. Surgeons then performed a hysterectomy and removed tumors, including cancerous cells on her liver, in a 12-hour operation. Physicians held out hope that further treatment would arrest the cancer. On April 1, when co-workers threw a baby shower for her, Greer was strong and radiant, but in recent days, she weakened. On Thursday night she returned to Carolinas Medical Center. She died peacefully Friday morning surrounded by her family. Greer grew up in Abbeville, S.C., where her father was a Southern Baptist minister and her mother a school teacher. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a 3.9 grade-point average before going on to a geosciences degree and a 4.0 at Mississippi State. She was just 25 when WBTV offered her a job in Charlotte as weekend meteorologist. It was a dream assignment for her, forecasting the weather in the same region where she grew up. Greer is survived by her husband, Roger Polsky and son Connor; her parents; and a brother and sister. A funeral service will be held next week. Arrangements are incomplete. Below is a statement from Mary MacMillan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of WBTV: Our WBTV family is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague. We will hold close our memories of Melissa’s vibrant spirit, deep faith and boundless grace. We find solace in knowing that she packed a lot of living into the past year including marriage to her wonderful husband, Roger, and the birth of her beautiful son. Baby Connor was a great gift to Melissa, and he is Melissa’s great gift to the world. We appreciate the outpouring of care and support we have all seen from all corners of our community over the past several months. We know your continued prayers will bring comfort to her family and friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdcnow 14 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Certainly condolances go out to her family and the people of WBTV. May God rest her soul. :'( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvpirate05 1 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Sad news. May she Rest In Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad 276 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 This is truly a horrible month in terms of death and sadness overall. May God her rest her soul in eternal peace, how sad that she did not get to see her young baby grow up. Very young woman as well. Our condolences definitely go out to her. So Sad. :'( What a troublesome week this has been for everyone thus far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsdude 41 Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Some of you may recall that WBTV's 5pm anchor, Bob Knowles, also succumbed to a rare, fatal cancer a number of years ago. That newsroom has been through a lot, that's for sure. What a beautiful woman she was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTVNews 1366 Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 It's very sad time for her family and her colleages at WBTV. My prayers and condolences are with her family and extended family at WBTV NEWS 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamsvoice 0 Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 That is so depressing. May her friends and family be given all the strength they need to get through such a trying time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbs2idiots 21 Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 My prayer goes out to her family during this time of sadness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAN 0 Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 How terrible. She seemed like just an all around great person, at least her son will know how great his mother was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsie 11 Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Very sad. This has just been a tragic week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PelicanGuy 117 Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Oh my, that's really sad to hear. To have that happen when she's getting ready to enjoy motherhood...just heartbreaking. My condolences to her family and friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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