Lisa Niemi & Patrick Swayze

The late Patrick Swayze’s wife, Lisa Niemii, will be appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show, just a month-and-a-half after her husband’s death.

It’s sure to be a tearjerker.

Niemi, 53, was married to Patrick Swayze for 34-years. Almost my lifetime. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like for her – and how she will talk about it so soon. Oprah is known for her compassion and  I’m sure will make it comfortable for Lisa to share her experience and loss. But still, it is so soon..

Earlier this month Lisa described being overcome with grief at times.

“When the grief takes you, it’s like your body is not your own. I’m just going with the flow. I know I have to go through it.
“I have a few girlfriends that are just amazing. They have made themselves available to me 24/7. They say, ‘We don’t care if it’s two in the morning, call me.’

“I was in the middle of a full-blown panic attack one evening, and I picked up the phone and called one, which is really hard for me to do because I’m used to being so self-sufficient and taking care of myself, but the very act of picking the phone up to call someone helped to calm me.”

I truly feel for her. Grief is a powerful thing.

Swayze, 57, died of pancreatic cancer on September 14th. He was just 57.

The Oprah Winfrey Show with Lisa Niemi will air this Friday.

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Patrick Swayze penned a memoir, ‘The Time of My Life’ before his death and although it won’t hit shelves until September, 29th, we have a sneak peek for you.

The book, co-written by wife of 32-years Lisa Niemi, was written after Swayze’s February 2008 diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer.

From Amazon:

In a career spanning more than thirty years, Patrick Swayze has made a name for himself on the stage, the screen, and television. Known for his versatility, passion and fearlessness, he’s become one of our most beloved actors.

But in February 2008, Patrick announced he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Always a fighter, he refused to let the disease bring him to his knees, and his bravery has inspired both his legion of fans and cancer patients everywhere. Yet this memoir, written with wisdom and heart, recounts much more than his bout with cancer. In vivid detail, Patrick describes his Texas upbringing, his personal struggles, his rise to fame with North and South, his commercial breakthroughs in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and the soul mate who’s stood by his side through it all: his wife, writer and director Lisa Niemi.

A behind-the-scenes look at a Hollywood life and a remarkable love, this memoir is both entertainment and inspiration. Patrick and Lisa’s marriage is a journey of two lives intertwined and lived as one–throughout their years in Hollywood and at home on their working ranch outside Los Angeles, and culminating in the hope and wisdom they’ve imparted to all who know them. This book will open the door for families, individuals, and husbands and wives to grow, bond and discover entirely new levels of love and sharing, proving that life shouldn’t be lived as a series of endings, but rather as the beginning of greater strength and love.

Quotes from the book

On realizing he had limited time to live: “I began thinking to myself, I’ve had more lifetimes than any 10 people put together. And it’s been an amazing ride. So this is ok.”

On working on The Beast while receiving treatment: “I continued with therapy all the way through the shoot, but I never took any painkillers since they dull not only your pain but your senses.”

His pledge to wife Lisa, as the couple renewed wedding vows: “Together we’ve created journeys that were beyond anything we could imagine, yet you still take my breath away. I’m still not complete until I look into your eyes.”

What a love story. This couple really had something special. And how rare is it for a Hollywood leading man to actually be SO in love with his wife? What a great thing is that?

Patrick had it all, alright. And I think he summed it up best in the line above about having lived 10 lifetimes during his time on earth. He is so inspirational to those facing a similar situation. His wife is surely proud of him.

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Terribly sad news to report. Patrick Swayze is dead, despite giving pancreatic cancer a run for it’s money.

He was only 57.

Swayze has been battling the disease since February 2008, when he was diagnosed. He leaves behind his wife of 32-years, Lisa Niemi.

My heart goes out to Lisa. I can’t imagine having a spouse for that long and then losing them.

You will be missed Patrick!

________________

As I reported a few times throughout the past year, Patrick and wife Lisa were receiving numerous letters of encouragement at the following address. I know a lot of Celebrity Smack readers sent him cards, because I heard from many of you. In case you may be wondering what the address is again so you can send Lisa a card of support, here is the address:

Lisa Niemi /Patrick Swayze

C/O W.K.T. PUBLIC RELATIONS

335 NORTH MAPLE DRIVE, STE. 351
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

[Photograph: Nathanael Jones/ James Breeden, PacificCoastNews.com]

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Flashback to Saturday Night Live in the 90s!

Patrick Swayze and the late, great Chris Farley as Adrian and Barney, aspiring Chippendales dancers. The decision as to who will make the cut comes down to one last “dance off” between the two. To the tune of Loverboy’s “Working for the Weekend”, of course.

Farley’s overweight character tries to keep up with Swayze and his bouffant mullet, rock hard body and tight rear.

One of the best SNL skits ever!

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Patrick Swayze has not died, despite some erroneous reports across the internet.

The actor’s rep has stated that her client, 56, is alive and still fighting pancreatic cancer.

“This is to confirm that Patrick Swayze did not pass away this morning contrary to severely reckless reports stemming from a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida,” says Annett Wolf. “Patrick Swayze is alive, well and is enjoying his life and he continues to respond to treatment.”

Poor Patrick and Farrah, having to constantly fight the reports of having died, being suicidal, and whatever else slimy people want to make up. It’s not enough that they are fighting for their lives.

Patrick is still fighting the fight. Send him a card of support!

PATRICK SWAYZE

C/O W.K.T. PUBLIC RELATIONS

335 NORTH MAPLE DRIVE, STE. 351
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

[PM]

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I posted this address a few months ago, but thought I would do so one more time.

If you are a fan of Patrick Swayze’s or you would just like to send him a card of encouragement as he battles pancreatic cancer, send it to the address below. Your cards and letters WILL get to him!

I know he and his wife appreciate the support they have gotten from around the world!

PATRICK SWAYZE

C/O W.K.T. PUBLIC RELATIONS
335 NORTH MAPLE DRIVE, STE. 351
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

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With limited time left to live, Patrick Swayze is writing a memoir about his life.

He and wife Lisa will work on the project together, but no further details are immediately available.

Swayze is fighting stage-four pancreatic cancer and was recently hospitalized for pneumonia.

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Sad news about Patrick Swayze, the actor has checked himself into the hospital and has pneumonia.

A&E president Abbe Raven confirmed the news saying, “As we arrived here this morning we have some news. Patrick Swayze has checked himself into the hospital. However, he asked us specifically to go forward with today’s panel. We wish him the very best with his recovery.”

Swayze, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, canceled a scheduled appearance where he was expected to talk about his new show, The Beast.

A source told People magazine,”Patrick is undergoing treatment and he’s still fighting. He felt so bad that he couldn’t be at the TCAs. He’s fighting and doing well, and that’s all anybody can hope for at this stage. He is not at death’s door. Nobody ever knows with cancer, but he’s doing alright. As soon as he’s out, he’s going to try to reschedule as much as he can.”

If you missed yesterday’s post, you can go here to get the address to send Patrick a letter of encouragement.

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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

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“I’ve never been one to run from a challenge. You can bet that I’m going through hell. And I’ve only seen the beginning of it…There’s a lot of stuff going on…Yeah, I’m scared. Yeah, I’m angry. Yeah, I’m [asking], why me? Yeah, I’m all this stuff.”

- Patrick Swayze to Barbara Walters on his battle with pancreatic cancer. The interview will air Wednesday, January 7th on ABC at 10PM EST.

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