I’m not sure how many of you watched the Barbara Walters interview with Patrick Swayze last night, but I was seriously in tears during most of it.
I have never been what you would call a huge fan of Swayze’s, although back in the 8th grade I first saw Dirty Dancing in the theater with my girlfriend then proceeded to watch it another 250 times after it came out on VHS.
I do, however, hate to see anyone being forced to come to terms with their own death.
I had a family member die within 6 months of being diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago, and what he had to go through was something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Swayze is fortunate to at least have a bit longer to spend with his adoring wife. But it isn’t going to get any easier for him. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer is bitterly aggressive.
I jotted down a few things Patrick, wife Lisa Niemi and Barbara talked about in the interview, but this morning went to ABC.com hoping for more quotes, and was shocked to see that the news channel is selling the interview on DVD for $29.99. (!)
No mention of the proceeds going to charity either. A little too opportunistic for my liking. And very, very tacky. Shame on you, ABC.
Patrick, 56, and his wife both seem to be an incredibly strong couple, not that they have a choice, but it was truly inspirational watching them together, taking on the fight of their lives. They aren’t going to take this battle lying down, that’s for sure.
”One thing I’m not gonna do is chase staying alive,” Swayze told Barbara. ”You spend so much time chasing staying alive, you won’t live.”
The part of the interview that really got me was when Barbara asked Lisa, “Have you contemplated life without him?”
Before the tears even hit Lisa’s eye, they were welling up in my own.
Lisa’s answer, “Very, very, difficult. I’ll cross that road when I get there.”
Patrick chimed in, comforting his wife, “She’ll be just fine.”
Patrick admits, he probably only has a couple of years left, at most, but he has made it clear, he is going to live each and every day to the absolute fullest. Something we all should do.
Unfortunately, sometimes it takes death to make us want to hold onto and cherish our precious lives. And when we do pass, it’s only the love we had that matters. Patrick reminds us of this. Like Swayze’s character, Sam, says to his still living lover, Molly (Demi Moore) in the movie Ghost, “It’s amazing, Molly, the love inside, you take it with you.”
I got the address to send Patrick your well wishes, pass it on, Smackaholics!
To write to Patrick Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi, send cards, gifts and letters of encouragement to:
PATRICK SWAYZE
C/O W.K.T. PUBLIC RELATIONS
335 NORTH MAPLE DRIVE, STE. 351
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210
SHAME on ABC!!!
This is a great idea, though. I might send one off today.
[...] sat down with Barbara Walters for an interview, mostly about his fight against pancratic cancer. CELEBRITY SMACK put up a fantastic post about the interview and sending Patrick words of encouragement, and I asked [...]
[...] Send Patrick Swayze a card of encouragement [Celebrity Smack] [...]
Hi Patrick
I have just read about you on the internet. I don’t know if you would read this message but I think that you have got the right spirit when you say, “I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light,” This is the medicine you need everyday and this will produce amazing results. However, I also refer to what you said, “I’d say five years is pretty wishful thinking. Two years seem likely if you’re going to believe statistics.” My advice? Well ,don’t believe in statistics. Let not your belief in statistics produce the outcome outlined by statistics. Change this belief to your belief reflected in your earlier comment and just believe that your dream has already come true. This is a world of beliefs that we create in our own minds. Create the belief and live it. All the best.
Patrick,
I have much sympathy for your and your family. Although pancreas cancer is the worst possible senerio, there is still hope. My mother, god bless her soul, is a 26 year survivor of pancreas cancer. They removed 3/4’s of her pacreas and all of her splien. With NO chemo!!! There are miracles out there, and we have one in our family. Never loose hope, faith or compassion. The most important thing to remember — you are helping many other people deal with this terrible disease. Your story, your faith and compassion, and your will to live will help carry you through. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Hearts for a Cure, Inc. would like to tell P. Swayze of a Dr who has 5 forms of Cancer including Pancreatic Cancer with a 97% success rate. This cancer can be cured in mice within 24 hrs. The Dr. is ready for pharmaceutical deve elopment, FDA approval and Clinical trails to begin.
Please contact edie rase at 813-719-8616 for more information. We
want to help. Thank you.
[...] Send Patrick Swayze your best wishes (CelebritySmack) [...]
Hi Patrick,
I am a huge fan! I really respect any hollywood actor who can seperate work and home and you seem to do this so well.
Our family is also affected by Cancer. My very wonderful brother-in-law, whom is more like a brother to me, was diagnosed with stage 4 esophagal cancer about a year ago. After we found out, we had an intervention night where we all got together to tell him he was not alone in this fight. The word “HOPE,” has taken on a whole new meanning in my vocabulary. Hope is what keeps us living! Just like you, we said from the beginning that we would try to keep some normalcy in our lives and not let cancer take over. You have become an inspiration to our family. Please keep fighting and never, ever give up hope and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Carmen Grassa
Hello Patrick,
I have been a huge fan of yours for a very long time. I was very sad to hear that you had cancer. I can relate. I fought ovarian cancer back in 2006. The doctor found it early and was able to get it all. I went thru chemo for 6 months and have been cancer free now for 2 years. I did a lot praying and staying positive during this time. I know pancreatic cancer is a lot more agressive but you and Lisa are in my prayers and i hope you beat this disease. I’m looking forward to seeing you in more movies.
[...] you missed yesterday’s post, you can go here to get the address to send Patrick a letter of [...]
That was a beautiful column, it brought me to tears.
Dear Mr Swayze:
I am so sorry you’ve been going through this health challenge. You are truly a gifted individual. Please don’t think me too bold but have you taken time to think about your eternal destiny? We all have bodies that get sick and die but what happens next? There is a God in heaven who loves us and calls us to Himself. He loves us so much that He rent the heavens and died the most painful and shameful death so that we can be free. All of us are in bondage to something, and we don’t have to live too long to recognize we are not perfect. You see, there truly is a deficit in man, its called sin. I know this isn’t politically correct but its true none the less. Our sin separates us from a Holy God and He gave the remedy through His only begotten Son, the sin bearer.
I have no hidden agenda Mr Swayze; we’ll probably never meet this side of heaven. You can ignore this, call me a “Jesus Freak” and laugh me off but I pray your spirit hears God calling you to Himself. Time is short and we may not have tomorrow to get right with God. He died for you and all you have to do is accept His death as payment for your sin. Ultimately, we all end up saying “thy will be done ” or “my will be done.” I pray you make peace with the God who loves you and died for you. Theres no steps you have to take, all you have to do is admit your a sinner (not a news flash to anyone whos honest with self) and need a savior, and accept His death on the cross on your behalf. He died for you personally. May He give you His peace that passes all understanding. May His love and grace comfort you during this difficult time. Seek His face, He will never let you down.
God bless you and yours,
M Fye
Patrick I’m a huge fan of yours.. I have been checking every few minutes to make sure you are ok. I feel like you are a part of my life. Dirty dancing was a favorite movie of mine the love affair you had impacted me so much that I choose to have the music from the movie as the theme to my wedding. Recently I had watched the dance you and Lisa did I believe in 1994 for award show oh my god that was awsome. I have watched it over and over the love is shown thru your dance matter of fact I got chills when I seen it. Also was so impressed with your strength of making the Beast you are example of you can do anything if the want is there. Take care and god bless you and Lisa..
Hi Patrick,
My name is La’Shena (SHENA), I would really like to talk to you on the phone or in person. My mom Betty J. Griffin is also fighting and doing well thus far with Pancratic Cancer. I saw your interview with your wife on Barbara Walters. I can related to the emotions you are feeling. My mom is my angel here on earth, and I here because of her ( I am adopted). The family have had some ups and downs already due to the illness. During your interview with Barbara, you mentioned the effects of the new Chemo your on, you mentioned the coldness in your hands. I jumped out of bed and ran to my mom’s room and I told her to wake up, as I was doing that I changed her TV to the channel so she could see you. I said mommy look Patrick Swayze, he is going through the same thing. I said I think he is on the same Chemo as you, he mentioned his hands and having to be careful going in the fridge. We both watched, I held her hand and at that point something hit me. Since mom has been sick, I say to myself all the time, if we had money we could send mom to the best doctors in the world and she would be all better. Then I realized, you are a very successful man, and you have money, yet you are dealing with same thing we are here in Ohio. I said to mom, look it doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have, he has money and probably CAN afford the best doctors in the world, and you are both fighting the same cancer. Dealing with the same side effects. In some way, it was almost comforting, like I felt if we only had money, mom would be all better. Then I looked up at the TV and see someone with money and all in all it didn’t matter.
We dont know anyone who is going through the same fight. I know it would lift my mom up in someway to know someone is going through the exact same battle ( and winning).
Patrick could you please contact me?
My email is dieselangel247@gmail.com
My cell is 937 708 1332
Thank you and GOD BLESS