When Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with cancer last year he was initially given five weeks to live, a deadline he easily beat.
But hold your horses, everyone. Just because he managed to beat one depressingly short cancer prognosis, Patrick Swayze wants everyone to know that he’s not going to live forever. In fact, in a bleak reality check during an interview with Barbara Walters, Patrick Swayze has only given himself two more years.
Patrick Swayze has got guts – making that admission while staring directly at a million-year-old bouffant Skeletor who logic dictates he should survive by several decades? That’s bravery.
Since he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer last year, Patrick Swayze has managed to walk the line between inspiring and gut-wrenching with more deftness than a thousand daytime made-for-TV movies. Not only did he beat the odds by not dying of cancer within the five weeks he was given, but he then went on to beat the odds again by foregoing painkillers to film a TV show during his treatment.
Patrick Swayze has even survived long enough to hear his own obituaries, but no matter how much his recovery has surprised doctors and the general public at large, it’s clear his luck won’t last forever. And that’s something Patrick Swayze made horribly clear during an interview with Barbara Walters in an interview to be broadcast tonight. Reuters reports:
“I’d say five years is pretty wishful thinking. Two years seems likely if you’re going to believe statistics. I want to last until they find a cure, which means I’d better get a fire under it. You can bet I’m going through hell. There’s a lot of fear here … Yeah, I’m scared. Yeah, I’m angry. Yeah, I’m (asking) why me?… Am I dying? Am I giving up? Am I on my death bed? Am I saying goodbye to people? No way.”
It’s an honest assessment from someone who knows he’s already done better than most. Statistics show only a five percent survival rate over five years for a man in his condition, but simply by being alive a year after his diagnosis, Patrick Swayze has doubled the usual life expectancy of a regular pancreatic cancer patient.
But regardless of whether Patrick Swayze manages to keep the cancer at bay for two years or five, it doesn’t matter – through his sheer grit and determination, Patrick Swayze will prove to be an inspiration for many decades after his death.
What’s more, it means the mawkish Dirty Dancing tribute night that every TV station in the world is planning for the day after Patrick Swayze dies is still anywhere between two to five years off. In a way, we’re all winners.
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Karen Shaw says
For Dear Patrick,
I recently lost my husband to Pancreatic Cancer. He was diagnoised on December 10 th 2008 and was gone on January 3 rd 2009. Rodney was also stage 4 at the time of being diagnoised. It was the toughest month of my life to see him like that. It had no mercey, It had no compassion, It had no dignity. It took a young, handsome, and strong father of 4 at the age of 47.
I am so sorry. I think of you everyday and mine and my families prayers go out to you. We have seen first hand what this can do. Your doing well from what we here in the news…keep up the great work! Keep fighting Patrick and know their are many out they pulling and fighting with you. God Bless.
Karen Lee & Family
Rodney G. Shaw III
12/04/1961 – 01/03/2009
Ricky Rab says
I lost a professor to this disease (Donald Krueckeberg of Rutgers). It was pretty shocking to see him wrap up teaching a full semester of one of my classes and then, a few months later, to see his funeral in the church just behind my school. (No, it’s not a parochial school. While Rutgers started off as a Reformed Church university, it became a state school by 1960 and this was long before it spawned my graduate school, the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.) Anyhow, his office was left vacant for a couple of months. Anyway, God Bless and keep hanging in there. – Ricky Rab
wendy cox says
Dear Patrick, I know that this is a hard time for you. I had AML Luekimea when I was 8 years old. My brother gave me his bone marrow, mom and dad did’nt know if I’d live to see the next day. Back then it was a new treament with new chemo’s. I had 7 days of radiation, and two months of chemo. I was in the hospital for 3 and half months after my transplant. They said I would not see the age of 21, I will be 38 in May. They said I would not have children, I have a 15 year old. I watched my dad die of small cell carcinoma. But I’m a nurses aide so I knew what was going on. But it is still hard. I just want you to know, to never give up the good fight, miracles do happen you just have to belive. I hope you come out of this with flying colors. Sometimes the doctors really don’t know what will happen. We are all made different. Some of us are strong, some of us are not so strong. I think you are strong. Just remember God will be there for you no matter what. Life sucks sometimes, but we can make it better. I hope to hear from you, and I’ll be praying for you. Keep fighting the good fight. Wendy Cox, Washington Court House Ohio.
katelyn says
you are amazing patrick.im going to miss you:(( and i loved all you movies. especially dirty dancing.ill miss you.p.s youll always be in myy heart:))?ive always wanted to meet you before i died but it looks like i wont:((im sorry.ill always love you as an actor and romodel???????
Blanca Fernandez says
I’m sorry this is happening to you, I know you hear it time and time again. I think you are the greatest, I can’t help but wonder why you. You are such an awesome person, but you know sometimes I think god chose you because you are a strong person and you can make a change…….actually you are helping other people be just as strong.
We will continue to keep you and your wife in my prayers. Hats off to you and your wife.
PS
I expect to see you on Barbara Walters show again, just like you promised.
With lots of love,
Blanca
Laura says
I am really sorry you are going through this but wanted you to know you are one courageous fighter…..keep up the good fight you can win this battle you have come so far already…we do not know ever when our time is up only the good lord knows that- but if we believe and hope anything is possible. I have been a fan of yours for ages….and I just watched one of your movies this weekend favorite one being Dirty Dancing boy would I have loved to be dancing with you….and I must say as sick as you might be you are still one the most handsome men I know- I tease my husband and he laughs at me all the time….although he is a very handsome man himself and I am very grateful for all that I have.
I wish you all the best and your wife be strong youa re amazing…our thoughts and prayers are with you bothe.
mary kay deroba says
Patrick, you are a gorgous, couragious, talented, loving, man, we love you and wish for you all the best, prayers abound for you. We need you. Being selfish sorry. Mary
Beth says
Dear Patrick
Happy Late Birthday. I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. You are in my book as a hero and a miracle for th ones that also have this diseasae . I pary every night that maybe you will be the one that helps doctors find the cure for this awful disease. May god give you stregnth to continue to fight and never give up. Again Happy Birthday and God Bless!!