Patrick Swayze is returning to work, in a new show on the A&E network titled The Beast. The show will debut in 2009, which suggests a good long term outlook for Patrick. Filming begins this summer.

Swayze will star in the police drama The Beast alongside Aussie actor and former Tarzan star Travis Fimmel, where the Dirty Dancing star plays a veteran FBI agent teaching his rookie partner (Fimmel) the ropes.

In a statement from the network, the 55-year-old actor said: “I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multi-layered, unpredictable and downright entertaining, as well as a project this current and cutting edged.”

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It almost sounds like this character will do for Patrick what Dr House did for Hugh Laurie.

Patrick and his wife Lisa Niemi have been seen out since his diagnosis, and in late May released a statement saying he was doing well, and had been on holidays in Mexico. He and his wife were photographed at a Lakers game a few days before this statement.

I hope that Patrick will be one of the 5% of Pancreatic cancer patients who live for many years following his diagnosis. Like many people suffering from a terminal illness, Patrick got his affairs in order with a living will, and like many people who go into remission they realize how precious life is and change the way they live their lives. These career plans suggest to me that he plans on enjoying every day of his remaining life, no matter how long it might be. It’s a wonderful lesson to learn, hopefully everyone can develop a bit of this attitude, the joy of life can so easily get lost in the daily grind.

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi are shown at the opening of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on 11/16/07, thanks to WENN.

Patrick Swayze, 55, and his wife of 23 years, Lisa Niemi, 52, were spotted out together at a Lakers playoff game in LA on Friday. It was Swayze’s first public appearance since he announced his diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic cancer in March. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers.

Swayze gave a statement to People Magazine that shows how he’s enjoying life and is responding well to treatment:

“Thought I’d give you guys a little update. Lisa and I have been back and forth from New Mexico enjoying the arrival of spring and new baby calves. This past weekend, we spent a fun time with friends in Reno for Lisa’s birthday, where I took her jewelry shopping at Kenny G & Company and (we) were able to find her something really special and much deserved! In the meantime, I am continuing treatment at Stanford and the great news is I continue to respond well.”

[From People.com]

When we mentioned Patrick on Monday, we also included a video clip of the popular “Last Lecture” given by Carnegie Mellon professor and pancreatic sufferer, Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch is an inspiration for his candid advice, his outspoken nature, and his realistic but positive outlook on his prognosis. He says that he has just months to live, but like Patrick Swayze, Pausch is living his life and cherishing his family while he can. You can see his status and updates on his blog.

Yesterday I learned that a friend of mine from the states had died in a tragic accident over the weekend. Before I heard this news, I read the very sad and moving statement from Xzibit about the loss of his premature son. This comes after the terrible human loss and tragedies in China and Myanmar, which have been very much on my mind. I would like to post Xzibit’s statement here because I found his words very meaningful and they bring tears to my eyes:

AS you all know, I shared with you the announcment of my newborn son Xavier Kingston Joiner on may 15th and also informed you that he was born prematurly. well this week was extremly difficult for him because his lungs were not strong enough to handle regular oxygen on his own. Xavier passed away this morning at 3:30am and I must tell you this, It is unatural for a parent to bury a child. I am telling you this because of the same reason I tell you when im having great times, life is too short to be fake. Hold on to your kids if you have them, protect them and show them you love them everyday you wake up and see them, dont take a second you get to hug them teach them and care for them for granted. You can have all the material wealth in the universe but it is NOTHING compared to having your family. I am thankful for all of my blessings and im not one to question God’s perfect plan, so I leave you with great love and thanks for the love that was sent earlier on my pervious blog to my son. Of course I need to take some time and handle my loss, STAY FOCUSED PEOPLE. Its not promised to any of us.

[From Xzibit’s myspace via Celebrity Baby Scoop]

I’m not a religious person and would consider myself agnostic, but things like this make me think of God and what’s in store for us. Hang in there Patrick Swayze and Dr. Pausch. Hang in there everyone, and cherish your families because no day is promised to us or the ones we love.

Patrick Swayze may be fighting pancreatic cancer, but that isn’t keeping him from enjoying life. The 55 year-old Dirty Dancing star was seen with his wife, Lisa Niemi, out at an NBA playoff game between the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs on Friday. He was thinner but looked great. It’s so nice to see Swayze out.

47 year-old Carnegie Mellon processor Randy Pausch is a married father of three who is also suffering from pancreatic cancer and admits doctors give him just months to live. His “Last Lecture” in which he said goodbye to his students last September was viewed millions of times online, made into a book, and was reprised on Oprah. He says “Although I’m going to die soon, I’m actually physically very strong.” In his talk about achieving childhood dreams, he advises us to work hard and be persistent, value people over things, and keep a positive attitude.

Thanks to The Huffington Post for these photos.

While reports are that Patrick Swayze is responding well to his cancer treatments, it seems he is still preparing for the worst case scenario. He’s put all of his assets into a living trust, so that if he does die they will be disposed of in the way he wants.

Fans of ailing movie hunk PATRICK SWAYZE have been left fearing for the worst after learning the GHOST star has put all of his real estate into a living trust.

The actor, who is fighting deadly pancreatic cancer, has filed papers suggesting he’s getting his affairs in order.

The documents are traditionally filled out by people on the verge of death, who want to make sure all of their final wishes are taken care off after they die.

The paperwork, obtained by U.S. TV news show Entertainment Tonight, was filed on 28 March (08).

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This isn’t your cue to worry that his condition is much worse than what reports indicate. While these papers are usually only filed when someone is close to death, it makes sense to me that anyone with a potentially terminal illness should make sure their affairs are in order.

Patrick has been getting a little bit of special treatment from NASA.

Patrick Swayze has been granted special permission to use a NASA airstrip in California, so he can fly himself to hospital for cancer treatment.

Moffett Federal Airfield near San Francisco is designated for government use only and is totally closed to civilians - but the actor and flying fanatic has reportedly been using the runway to jet between his home in southern California and Stanford University Medical Center.

A source tells Florida’s Palm Beach Post newspaper Swayze is using the ex-navy base to avoid the paparazzi when he makes bi-monthly trips for chemotherapy.

Ireland Online

I don’t know if this is true, the report only comes from a ‘source’, but if it is then it indicates that Patrick is in good enough health to fly himself to hospital.

His wife Lisa Neimi has thanked people for their support, saying “We can’t help but feel that all the prayers, meditations and good thoughts sent his way by everyone has made a difference.” Hopefully Patrick keeps sending us positive reports, and his living trust never gets used.

Patrick Swayze is shown at a One Last Dance Movie and Benefit Performance on 08/23/05, thanks to PRPhotos.

Patrick Swayze, who has pancreatic cancer, is having an ‘excellent’ response to his experimental treatment.

“We’re thrilled and grateful for the positive response Patrick has shown towards his treatment,” the Dirty Dancing star and wife Lisa Niemi tell People.

“Also, we can’t help but feel that all the prayers, meditations and good thoughts sent his way by everyone has made a difference. Thank you!” said the couple.

His physician, Dr. George Fisher, added: “Patrick Swayze continues to respond well to his treatment for pancreatic cancer. Because of his excellent response, he will continue the same therapy at Stanford.”

People

The drug Patrick is reportedly taking is called Vatalanib which blocks the growth and spread of cancer by affecting the molecules that turn normal cells into cancer cells. He has also undergone chemotherapy. Experimental treatment is generally only performed on terminally ill patients, although Patrick’s reps say that suggestions he has only weeks to live aren’t true.

While Patrick may not be close to death, pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. The five year survival rate ranges between 5% and 25%, depending on how advanced the cancer is when diagnosed.

I’m glad to hear he is doing well, and hopefully we’ll get more reports like this over the coming years.

Patrick and his wife of 33 years, Lisa Neimi, in December, 2006
Patrick Swayze is being treated for pancreatic cancer and his mother and brother have spoken out about out about his health battle in the latest issue of The National Enquirer:

His mother Patsy says, “Patrick doesn’t deserve to get this. He just doesn’t deserve it.

He’s got such a big heart. He’s been such a good and generous and thoughtful person. It breaks my heart to know he’s suffering. But he bears it and he’s determined to beat this. He’s hanging in there and getting the best treatment he can.”

Brother Don talks about Patricks reaction to the diagnosis, “Patrick noticed some weight loss and jaundice and decided to go to the doctors. It was almost like, ‘Hey, it’s time to get a check up anyway, this would be a good time.’ The diagnosis came out of left field because it seemed like he would know if there was something really drastic. I was looking in his eyes and I didn’t see a flicker of fear.

“Now I’m buying him gourmet chicken pot pies and we’re putting them in the blender. He wants to keep his weight up, and now he’s back on solid foods.”

His sister-in-law Maria adds, “I’ve never seen him scared of anything! He deals with everything the same way. He’s determined, enthusiastic, full of energy and hope.”

[From New Zealand Herald, quotes from The National Enquirer, March 24, 2008]

I’m glad to hear that they all seem determined that he is going to beat his cancer, although the outlook does not seem great. Only 5% of pancreatic cancer patients survive.

The National Enquirer also ran pictures of Patrick smoking in the same article with those quotes. These are the first pictures of Patrick since the news of his cancer was released. The general response to the pictures has been that he needs to quit. The guy reportedly has a 60-a-day habit, and what the photos don’t show is if he is cutting down. It’s not easy to quit smoking, it is one of the hardest things you can ever do. Maybe the stress of trying to give up could be almost as detrimental to his health as the smoking is, it just depends on how much he is smoking.

Hopefully Patrick can be one of the people who returns to health after pancreatic cancer. Here’s a video of him from last November dancing on Oprah. He’s still got the moves, although I’m less sure about the couple he surprises.

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.”

Yesterday the news came out that Patrick Swayze was suffering from pancreatic cancer and had just five weeks to live. His condition sounded dire and more like a hospice care situation than something he could possibly recover from. The National Enquirer reported this news with a supposed insider quote that “he was told he could have two more treatments, but his cancer was not responding. In short - they held out little hope for a cure .”

Then Patrick’s rep confirmed that he had pancreatic cancer to Page Six, and it sounded like it was just a matter of time for the beloved actor. Even People reported the dire prognosis for most cases, as described by the Mayo Clinic, that “Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it’s a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. By that time, the cancer is likely to have spread to other parts of the body and surgical removal is no longer possible.”

Thankfully People and other outlets quickly updated their story with a new statement from Swayze’s doctor that the National Enquirer’s account was overblown, and that his cancer is limited and under control. He is expected to be back at work soon:

“Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far,” Dr. George Fisher says in a statement. “All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic.”

The actor’s rep adds: “Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family.”

[From People.com]

I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief now, and thank goodness that the original report was wrong. Commentor Mairead noted that Steve Jobs was diagnosed with a form of pancreatic cancer in 2003 that he recovered from. According to Wikipedia, he had “a rare, far less aggressive type known as islet cell neuroendocrine tumor,” which sounds like it’s not the same as the health issue that Swayze is facing. Job’s tumor was removed and he has returned to health.

Please get well Mr. Swayze. Our thoughts are with you.

Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi are shown at the premiere of Rocky Balboa on 12/13/06, thanks to PRPhotos.

Update: Swayze’s doctor says this report is overblown and that he has a “limited amount” of cancer.

He has been getting outpatient treatment at Stanford University, and will receive two more sessions of chemotherapy, but doctors say that it’s not helping and they don’t know what else they can do:

In a shocking world exclusive, The NATIONAL ENQUIRER has uncovered the devastating news that the beloved Hollywood actor and dancer was diagnosed in late January with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other organs.

Full details are in the print edition of the NATIONAL ENQUIRER that goes on sale tomorrow.

For the past month, Patrick, 55, has been traveling to Stanford University’s prestigious cancer center in Palo Alto for radical chemotherapy, but his doctors are no longer optimistic that the treatments will be successful.

Patrick and his wife Lisa Niemi — who both have pilot’s licenses — have been flying their private Beechcraft plane into Palo Alto’s airport, minutes away from the Stanford Cancer Center, where the actor has received outpatient treatment.

He received three doses of chemotherapy and the tumor shrank, but less than his doctors had hoped for — and Patrick was told he should prepare for the end.

“He was told he could have two more treatments, but his cancer was not responding. In short - they held out little hope for a cure,” said an insider.

[From The National Enquirer’s website]

The article states that Patrick has lost 20 pounds and is on a liquid diet because he can’t keep food down. This is so sad and I hope he pulls through. He’s just 55 and that’s way too young to die.

Yesterday Best Week Ever had us all in stitches with a cute post showing Patrick Swayze’s many expressions in Ghost, and today comes the shocking news that he’s battling terminal cancer. Please hang in there Patrick and get well.

In early February there was a story that Patrick Swayze was hospitalized for a serious “gastro-intestinal procedure” at Stanford Medical center, but his spokesperson simply said he was doing well and no further information was given.

Update: Swayze’s doctor says his prognosis is not this dire and that he has a “limited amount” of cancer. Please see the article “Patrick Swayze’s cancer not as serious as thought” for the latest.

Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi are shown at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino opening on 11/17/07, thanks to PRPhotos.