'08
A promotional photo from The Beast
It’s been eight months since Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he’s returned to work and is talking like he’s in the clear, which is amazing. Since he was diagnosed I’ve lost two family members to the same cancer, which is well-know for having a very poor prognosis.
He’s given his first formal interview with the New York Times, talking about his new show The Beast.
“I do find myself, at the end of the day, riding home sort of catching myself with a smile on my face,” he said. “I’m proud of what I’m doing.”
The show, about halfway through its 12-episode order, is on schedule, said Bob DeBitetto, the president of A&E. Mr. Swayze, 56, said he had managed to put 20 pounds back on since the low point of his weight loss as he fought the disease, relying on “muscle-building shakes.”
So far, the production team reported, he has missed only a day and a half of work. Mr. Swayze said: “I’m still fine to work, I haven’t changed — oh, I have changed, what am I saying? It’s a battle zone I go through. Chemo, no matter how you cut it, is hell on wheels.”
“There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, ‘I sure would like to make a mark in life,’ ” Mr. Swayze said. “I’ve made a pretty decent mark so far — nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There’s more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it.”
[From The NY Times]
Patrick doesn’t actually say that’s he’s beat cancer, and at the end of the interview his employer Zack Van Amburg says that his doctors are encouraging, but “they have never said he’s cured.” I think for many people with a life threatening illness, you feel most strongly the loss of direction, because you feel you can’t do anything with your life until you know a long term prognosis.
Patrick seems to be fighting this in the best way possible, by continuing to work and having a focus beyond getting well. Obviously if he’s able to work 12-hour days during his recovery, something that many of us can’t manage when we’re completely healthy, he must be doing very well indeed.
Written by Helen
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8 Responses to “Patrick Swayze is working 12-hour days”
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Helen, I’m really sorry for your loss, that’s so awful.
I wonder if there’s anything he did differently than others to prolong his life?
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It depends on which end of the pancreas is affected.
One end (as in Michael Landon’s case) is an almost immediate death sentence, a matter of months.
The other end can offer two-plus years (like Juliet Prowse).
It gets everyone diagnosed eventually, though.
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I hope he makes it but it is a hard disease to beat. I am sorry to hear about your loss Helen. Pancreatic cancer is a death sentence. I have always wondered is it possible for sufferers to get a transplant?
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Thanks WTF that was depressing. Especially since Helen said she’d lost two family members to this cancer. Do you bring a mariachi band to funerals?
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It’s good to see him doing his thing. It beats sitting around dwelling on it.
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WTF, how do you know that? I’m not being smart, I’d really like to know if you have data to support that comment. RE: I lost the world’s best mother-in-law to pancreatic cancer and since cancer is prevalent in my hubby’s side of the family, I tend to worry about him and my kids – and their future.
I too would like to know what/how Patrick’s pulling off this show of health. With my MIL, she was diagnosed and gone within two weeks.
Helen, I too am sorry to hear of your family losses. It’s one of the worst cancer’s imaginable and a horrible blow to those of us left behind.
@Yourself – I don’t think so. The pancreas cleans the blood (like a filter) and puts it back through the body – if you have cancer in the pancreas, it goes everywhere with the blood – throughout your bloodstream. They may be able to cure the specific location, but eventually it will land elsewhere. If I’m wrong, I hope someone will (please) correct me because that’s the way it was explained to us.
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@Ran: The pancreas regulates blood sugar by producing the insulin hormone. The liver cleanses the blood of toxins.
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Patrick Swayze has held a special place in my heart for a long time (since seeing him in The Outsiders). He’s a beautiful man and a brave one. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his wife, Lisa, and the rest of his family.
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