Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/showbizspy

Patrick Swayze Was ‘Okay’ With Death

Posted by Adam

Thursday September 17, 2009

Patrick SwayzePatrick Swayze was “okay” with the thought of death — because he lived such a fulfilling life.

Swayze — who passed away Monday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer — penned his memoir, The Time of My Life, earlier this year as he was being treated for the disease.

The Dirty Dancing star, 57, co-wrote the book with his wife Lisa Niemi, and in it reveals how he first got the devastating news 20 months ago.

(Hollywood pays tribute to late star)

“I had been having some digestive trouble, mostly acid reflux and a kind of bloated feeling, for a few weeks,” Swayze writes.

“I’ve had a sensitive stomach my whole life, so I hadn’t thought much of it, but lately I just couldn’t shake the constant discomfort.

“My doctor told me my chances of surviving for more than a few months weren’t high and I had no reason to doubt him.”

“I continued with chemotherapy all the way through the shoot,” he said. “But I never took any painkillers since they dull not only your pain but also your sharpness.”

“I began thinking to myself, I’ve had more lifetimes than any 10 people put together, and it’s been an amazing ride,” writes Swayze. “So this is okay.”

The tome comes out September 29.

Tags:

See also:

Share This Post

  • http://msn Gladys Stone

    Patrick gave me a wonderful feeling watching him dance. I wish I could have meet him. I am 77 years but he made me feel like the dancer I wished I had become. Just watching him gave me everything I had dreamed of.

  • JAMES

    THATS TOUCHING

  • Elena

    Hi, I am really painfull with the disease of Patrick, to me he was the best, Dirty Dancing was my first love story, was the summer love that I would like to live when I was fifteen, then he did The Joy City or something like that and it was my inspiration, I like him very much and now I knew that he lived thirty three years with Lisa and it is no doubt that he was a great person, a great human been, rest in peace I know he is now with God.

  • Tina R

    Patrick became my favorite actor when I first saw the Dirty Dancing and his been my favorite actor until his death. My heart broke when I found out he died. He was like my uncle,my dad & my brother. I love him. Oh and I love his movie “The Red Dawn”. It was one of my favorite movie too. RIP Patrick. You will be missed.

  • christine

    The movie that really touched my heart was “Ghost” I watched this movie in 1991 with my high school sweetheart & now my husband. We both were sadden to hear Patrick’s death. RIP Patrick…You will be remembered.

  • Val

    My favorite movies were Dirty Dancing & Road House. I loved watching him dance. I wish I could dance like him. Whenever
    one of Patrick’s movies came on my husband would yell “Hey, your
    boyfriend is on tv.” I will miss you,Patrick. You are loved by
    so many people. I hope you know how many lives you truly touched.

  • Cynthia-Alexandra

    I hope Lisa Niemi reads these comments, so she will know that we are ALL praying for her. I have tried to put myself in her place, & it scares me to think of what she is going through.
    I TOO loved Patrick Swayze. He had a way of making people FEEL like they were there WITH him as he was making all the movies all these years.I have cried everyday since his passing. It feels like I have lost a brother.
    BUT I know he is with God, & that gives me SOME comfort.
    Maybe I am crying because of what Lisa is going through, I feel her pain.My heart hurts because HER heart hurts. It’s sad that Patrick had to die so young.
    It’s sad they had no children to carry on his name, & his passion for acting.
    I will be praying for Lisa, that God will comfort her, strengthen her, & give her peace to get through this horrible,horrible loss.
    My Aunt lost her soul mate 2 yrs ago. She said the 1st yr was VERY rough. Lisa will have a LOT of “Firsts” A First Holiday with out Patrick, A first B-Day, A First Valentine’s Day & so on. BUT her Faith in God will help her through all those Firsts.
    God Bless you,Lisa. You are wished the VERY BEST.

  • http://www.gapevangelising.com Jerry Wm Bowers Jr

    What more can be said to express the sadness many feel at the passing of such a fine man? What words could I possible piece together to make any sense of such a tragic loss? My own wife loved & still loves this man. Two of her greatest wishes in life have been cut short: She never got to kiss Elvis or dance with Patrick.

    I remember all the movies listed above and more. Not knowing Patrick personally, I would simple wish to pass on to Lisa this: Your husband was and is & will ever be, loved by millions. He made us laugh, smile, cry, wonder, hope, dream & most of all, believe.

    God bless you Patrick & Lisa. You are only separate in body, you are forever joined in spirit. Take comfort that Patrick is no longer in pain: He is home with out heavenly Father and believe this, you will see him again.

    I pray God bring you peace & comfort in this next phase of your life.

    Jerry & Darlene Bowers.

  • Brooke Harris

    Patrick will be missed by everyone. The love that he and Lisa share is a real gift that death cannot stop. I know he’ll be watching over her.

  • Beverly Birge

    This comment is for Lisa…of course we have never met but we have
    shared a very special blessing of a long happy marriage. Whether it is 33
    years or 47 like ours, a good husband is a blessing from God. Watching your husband dance was pure poetry and realizing your love for him was poetry
    for all of us. I teach High School and there is much cynicism of love and marriage.Thanks for the example of how it is supposed to be! Soon, all your
    memories of him will bring an instant smile and warmth that will sustain you.

  • Sue

    Lisa, my heart bleeds for you. To have met,known and been with your soulmate for most of your life is a rarity. You were blessed with the love of a really good man and I cannot imagine your pain at losing him. Patrick bought joy to so many people but never lost sight of his one and only true love so I hope you find some comfort knowing that you had the kind of love of which most of us only dream about. My heart goes out to you in this very difficult time. “Ghost” never seemed more ‘real’ than it does now as I am sure Patrick will be with your side for a very long time. RIP Patrick – you truly were a ‘loved’ man and Lisa, stay strong and remember what a great life you had with each other. xoxo

  • K.C. Collins

    Last year I was in LAX and saw Patrick on his way to a plane, and thought “My God he’s going to beat cancer, no body who looks that good dies young.” I hate it when I am SO wrong.
    God your going to be missed Mr. S! My love to you and your lovely wife.

    Rest in peace, you deserve it.

  • s.olson

    this man will be truly missed , his smile , his being the greatest actor, and human being , says alot about this wonder spirit that so blessed our lives . lisa ,this woman has got to be the most courage LADY. peace be with you both . you both showed the world what love , peace and joy really MEANS. take care .

  • http://yahoo CJPetersen

    Everyone is mentioning “Dirty Dancing”, but seem to forget what a greay role he played in “Ghost” & especially “Point Break”.
    He was not only a pretty face,and great dancer, but also a very fine actor. f you never saw the latter, rent it, and ebjoy!!

  • JR

    I dedicated ‘Time of My Life by Dirty Dancing’ to Patrick Swayze. It was so much fun to watch you up on the screen. I will always remember you handsome, confident and dirty dancing!

  • JR

    I dedicated ‘Time of My Life by Dirty Dancing’ to Patrick Swayze. It was so much fun to watch you up on the screen. I will always remember you handsone, confident and dirty dancing! My condolences to your family. Patrick you did them proud!

  • Francine De Polo

    I am so sad. I saw all his movies. He was a great actor and dancer. My heart goes out to his wife (his soul mate, true love), family and friends. He will be missed by many. I am from the Caribbean (St. Marten) and many of us remember our times with “Dirty Dancing”. Go in peace Patrick Swayze. God has opened his arms for you and you will be at his side. May you rest in peace.

  • http://msn Brenda Cooke

    Patrick was and always will be the most loved actor from my days growing up. He taught our generation how to have fun and enjoy life know matter what it brought you. I am 53 and have always loved watching Patrick act. He was full of life and anytime you saw he was going to be in a movie you knew it would be good. Patrick you will always be loved and missed by all who love you. We all send our love and prayers to his family. Goodbye Patrick.

  • Trish in N.C.

    My sincerest condolences to Lisa and to Patrick’s family. He was a wonderful dancer and a fine actor, and he pulled you into his characters and made you believe them. Being a female, “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” are my favorites although I have seen his other work. In “DD” he WAS Johnny. In “Ghost” he WAS Sam. He made you believe it. Lisa, my prayers are with you at this difficult time, as well as with Patrick’s family. I pray that Patrick knew Jesus Christ as his Savior and that he is smiling down on you at this moment – only separated physically. You will see him again. “The love inside – you take it with you.”

  • http://MSN brenda Jones

    Patrick was a wonderful dancer, actor, and he seemed like an all around wonderful person that faced death with dignity. God Bless him and his family during this very difficult time. Rest In Peace Patrick!

  • Felicity Cunniffe

    Dear Lisa and family,
    May God give you strength to carry on, I live in South Africa and was truly devastated when I heard the news about Patrick’s death. It felt like a personal loss and I cried for a few days. You were very lucky to have your soulmate for so many years and God borrowed him to the world and has taken him back. I loved all his movies especially “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” but Ditto he loved you and everthing of the best for the future until you and Patrick meet again.
    From
    Felicity
    South Africa
    xxxx