Patrick Swayze’s rep confirmed last Wednesday that the beloved actor is suffering from pancreatic cancer, but said that reports that doctors gave him just five weeks to live were not true. He said “Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects.”

WENN is reporting that Swayze has had to drop out of his latest film Fired Up, in which he was going to play a gay cheerleading instructor. There is no confirmation or follow-up from his rep on his withdrawal from the film.

Swayze’s doctor said in a statement last Wednesday that he has “a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far.” He also seemed to deny the Enquirer’s report, which stated that Swayze had lost 30 pounds and could not keep solid food down, saying that “All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic.”

His rep is also quoted as saying that “Patrick is currently undergoing chemotherapy – not radiation – and he has not lost his hair. We are doing everything we can, and Patrick is doing well under the circumstances.”

I really hope that’s the case and that Swayze has dropped out of the role so that he can focus on his health at this critical time.

Many of Swayze’s co-stars have offered encouragement and their thoughts to him.

His co-star from 1987’s Dirty Dancing, Jennifer Grey, said “If I saw him on the streets today, I’d throw my arms around him and love him up.”

Claire Sweeney, who worked with Swayze in 2006 on the London stage production of Guys and Dolls, said “I feel privileged to have worked with him and honored to have him and his wife Lisa in my life as friends. My thoughts are with them both at this difficult time and I hope with all my heart that he makes a full recovery.”

According to Bang Showbiz, “Patrick is recovering from his latest chemotherapy session at his New Mexico ranch with his wife of 33 years, Lisa Niemi.”