Grim prognosis for Patrick Swayze
By Alexandra Heilbron on March 6, 2008 | 33 Comments
Patrick Swayze, star of movies such as Dirty Dancing and Ghost, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute say patients diagnosed with the disease have only a one-in-20 shot of being alive five years after the cancer is found. The patient advocacy group Pancreatic Cancer Action Network estimates the average life expectancy for a patient with pancreatic cancer at three to six months. Michael Landon of Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie died three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, Swayze’s doctor says the 55-year-old Swayze has a limited amount of disease and is responding well to treatment. In the meantime, he’s continuing with his normal schedule, including working on the upcoming A&E TV movie The Beast.
Wow! Time hasn’t done this guy any justice has it????
I disagree…besides the cancer, he’s aged pretty well!
I’ve always loved him, but this isn’t good. I work in a hospital, and I know that this type of cancer is very often a death sentence, the patients don’t usually live very long at all, only a few months, and it’s not a very peaceful death. All I can say is, God bless him.
I met him once at a movie premier in TO. Super nice person.
I think he is a smoker, which unfortunately, has been linked to liver and pancreatic cancers. What a shame.
My thought and best wishes are with you Buddy.
All the best to ya Dalton!!! Hang in there!!
Not too many people have those Dick Clake looks as they age
Keep on Dancin’ Patty!!!
As much as I love Patrick’s acting and would love to see him in more movies until I’m old and grey… I do hope that he takes this precious time to be with his family to enjoy what is left with his precious time.
God bless you Patrick – You’ll always be “Darrell” to me! xo
I agree, Paula. And yes, ‘The Outsiders’…a great movie indeed!!
Hey, tributegirl – you need to get out of that hospital and live LIFE a little. If a person thinks they’re going to die, then they will (probably a lot sooner then if they don’t think it)! A hospital is the worst place to be if you want to live a long, healthy, happy life. Doctors, nurses and other hospital workers would be out of a job if we all decided not to be unhealthy. I think Patrick has as much a chance of living as long as any other person has if HE believes it – don’t listen to the doctor’s stats. This health issue just makes me so mad especially when the health care system and workers think they know more about our health than we do!!
Comments like the one made by “none of ur business” are so unfair. So many people think a positive attitude can help you beat cancer. I don’t doubt it helps, but consider the individuals who die anyway. Even if they had a great outlook, sometimes the cancer wins. So then what? If you adopt your offensive attitude, then it’s the victims fault for dying. Guess they didn’t think positively enough. That’s cruel. Quit blaming the victim. Yes, positive attitudes can help us cope with great hardships, but they don’t always cure diseases – so be careful what you say. It can be very hurtful to someone who hasn’t been successful in their battle with cancer.
People who haven’t been successful in their battle with cancer won’t care because they’re dead!
Unfortunatly this goes to show that even a lifetime of good diet and exercise won’t keep cancer at bay. I really enjoyed the movies he was in and if anything happens to him I will feel really bad. He’s a great actor and dancer.
Just take it one day at a time. That’s all any of us can do anyway. Hope for the best.
I LOVE PATRICK
I WISH HIM WELL.
HE IS AMAZING
AND SORRY TO HEAR HIS FUTURE DOESNT LOOK SO GOOD
THIS IS NOT A GOOD CANCER TO HAVE 🙁
GOD BLESS YOU PATRICK
OH! This is so sad, I love this guy. Sure he’s gotten the brunt of a few jokes I’ve told, but still love him.
I was saddened to hear about Patrick’s diagnosis . Both “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” are two of my all time favorite movies. Just wanted to say that my prayers are with you and your family.
Anything is possible if we believe, and there’s nothing God cannot do if he believe and claims healing.
All the best to you Patrick. God gives us only the load he believes we are strong enough to carry. You’re one of the good ones!
I think it’s in pretty poor taste comment on the appearance of someone who’s been diagnosed with an illness. No class.
I wish Mr. Swayze well, and best wishes for good health.
L. A.
Handsome, Class and talent. All the best, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the great entertainment over the years.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED,PATRICK SWAYZE ,
none of ur business on March 7, 2008 10:14 am
Hey, man, guess what? I WORK there, I also live my life and enjoy myself. I’m not giving you “doctors stats”, I’m telling you what I have seen for myself. Some of the people with the most positive attitude possible (like my best friend who died from AML 6 years ago) had the absolutely best possible attitude, but still lost their battle. If you want to live in fantasy land, that’s fine, you go ahead, but when your number comes up, it doesn’t matter what you think or believe. I believe we are all here for a reason, Patrick included, and I also believe that when God calls us home, we have no choice, we must heed the call. Positive thinking or no positive thinking. Do you think that a person of 108 years old can keep surviving on positive thinking alone? What, do you think that this positive thinking will keep them alive forever? Ha! Yeah, you are living in fantasy land, enjoy.
And God bless you Patrick. What is meant to be will be, I’ll be praying for you.
A true talent, really sad news.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, God Bless you , Much love from Canada.
I remember you in Road House. What a great movie you and Healey Please get well soon.
I remember you and Healey in Road House what a pair and what a great movie and you were wonderful in Dirty Dancing which i am going to see in april. Please get well soon so we can enjoy your great movie acting again. All the best.
“We are all dead men on leave.” – Eugene Levine.
No use in worrying about your time to go. No use in trying to change that which cannot be changed. You will just end up making yourself more miserable and turn the remaining days into a waste of precious life. I just hope the end is quick as I do not like to procrastinate. Even the possibility of pain is not altogether worrisome for it will probably be the last thing I will feel for a great while. God bless Patrick and all the grievously ill.
I don’t think the HIndu leadership appreciates the use of the title Dirty Dancing. Unless of course they get free movie tickets.
I was glad to hear that Patrick is responding well to treatment. No one knows as well as my husband and I, just what the pancreas can do to someone. My husband is in Toronto hospital with a rare form of pancreatitis. My heart goes out to my favorite dancer of all time. Patrick I know you were raised in a faith based home but now is the time to really look to God and know Him. We are praying for you.
I have cancer. I am trying to make it thru the days…with positive thinking.
Some of your remarks are darn right mean.
You obviously don’t care about peoples’ feelings.
Patrick is strong, and I am sure WILL be the one to make it thru this nightmare.
My brother fought cancer for nine months in the most amazingly brave and positive way anyone could have. However, on November 24/97, about three and a half months ago, he died at age 42. He was one of the most fit and in-shape people you could meet. But…the cancer still got him. In memory of my dear bro., I extend Patrick God’s blessings and peace as he faces this horrible disease. May God give his family and friends the strength to be there for Patrick throughout the days ahead. Especially, I wish Patrick peace and the knowledge that God will be with him through it all!
Thank you, Patrick Swayze, for all the joy, laughter and good feelings you have brought into my world, from the first time and up to the 200th time and still more to come watching Dirty Dancing – I’ve enjoyed all your films – LOVED Dirty Dancing!
The Best of Wishes to you and yours.