Patrick Swayze Opens Up to Barbara Walters

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See More... Patrick Swayze is opening up about his year-long cancer battle in a new interview with ABC News' Barbara Walters, and he says the fight has not been easy.

"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," he tells Walters.

But despite those concerns swirling through his mind, Swayze says that, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in early 2007, his reaction was: "Watch me! You watch what I pull off."

Despite spending 2007 fighting the often-lethal disease, Swayze signed on to act in a new TV show, TNT's "The Beast." After working 12 hour night shoots in cold weather during the week, Swayze spent his weekends getting chemotherapy for his illness, and he was unable to take narcotic pain medication: "When you're shooting, you can't do drugs," he explains to Walters. "I can't do Hydrocodone or Vicodin or those kinds of things that take the edge off of it, 'cause it takes the edge off of your brain."

But Swayze maintains a positive attitude, telling Walters, "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."

To see Walters' full interview with Swayze, tune in to ABC on Wednesday night at 10 p.m.

Published 1/6/09 by the Insider

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Comments (4)

  • I read your story and I am very happy for you for not giving up! I have lost both my parents do to cancer. Your a fighter and keep up the good work. Good luck to you and your family.

    Patrick.
    anonymous anonymous 11/18/08 Reply
     
  • I work for the National Cancer Institute. We too are looking towards the money Congress will appropriate so we can fund more research. When I read Patrick's letter it was a shot in the arm. It helps me to stay focused on the job that I do at NCI even if I don't work in a lab. I can still do my best to help eliminate the pain and suffering of patients with cancer. .
    anonymous anonymous 2/17/09 Reply
     
    • I also had cervical cancer and it has been 7 years since them. I make sure I eat all organic food and lost some weight and am trying hard to live a healthy life style and I excercise too. I hope someday they find a cure for all cancers no one should ever have to suffer with it. Patrick swayze is a real miracle and hope he stays that way.
      anonymous anonymous 3/22/09
       
  • Hi Patrick, just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you during your difficult time. My 85 year old father has Prostate cancer but is unable to take treatment because of his age and heart problems.
    Its a blessing that you are able to take treatment for your condition.
    Keep the faith and know that God is with you all the way.
    Barbara (long time fan)
    anonymous anonymous 4/20/09 Reply