Patrick Swayze Dying, Has Five Weeks To Live Has Cancer, Will Be OK

UPDATE: Effing National Enquirer. Okay, so apparently Patrick Swayze does indeed have cancer, but it isn't quite the dire, deathbed scene the National Enquirer would have us believe. According to People, Swayze's Doctor says:

"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," Dr. Patrick George says in a statement. "All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."

So, you know, WHEW.

Sorry about the false alarm, kiddos. Color me embarrassed. And dumb. Very, very dumb.

. . . . .

Well this is just awful.

The National Enquirer revealed on their site today that "the beloved Hollywood actor and dancer was diagnosed in late January with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other organs." Doctors have given Swayze three rounds of chemotherapy, but now hold out little hope for his recovery.

Did I mention this is AWFUL?

While I've never been what you might call a fan of Mr. Swayze, who among us hasn't enjoyed his turn in Dirty Dancing at one time or another? Under duress or otherwise?

Our thoughts are with Swayze and his family, and we wish him a speedy recovery, or a miracle, or something.

AAARGH. AWFUL. ACK.

Comments

[DianaCLT]

Haven't found anything trustworthy yet, but here's a blurb from the Fox News site:

FOXNews.com's calls to Swayze's reps were not immediately returned. But a "very good source" reportedly told blogger Perez Hilton that Swayze has seemed fine lately.

"Patrick has been at rehearsals for a new cheerleading movie at Century City studio frequently lately, and he definitely does not look like he has 5 more weeks of life left…i'm not sure of his medical condition(s), but if he is gravely ill, he is hiding it very well," the source said.

[BaltimoreGal]

That pancreatic cancer is a doozy- a real killer that people really recover from. It took out Jimmy Carter's entire family (contrary to Billy Carter lore). They are making great strides here (shameless promotion alert).
http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/

[NotAMeanGirl]

I hope this really isn't true. I've always had a soft spot for him for some reason. Makes me wanna cry if its true.

[Nic]

oh how awful...

[Suzy Q]

If true? Ugh.

But, it's the Enquirer, people. It's just as likely that Patrick is uncubating a baboon in his rectum.

[sweetney]

suzy q: i think that's the weekly world news you're thinking of (RIP!)?

[schoolofmom]

People has confirmed the diagnosis with a statement from his doctor: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20182300,00.html

But he says the time frame is just wrong.

[Patrick fan]

Pancreatic cancer (if that is indeed what he has) is swift and deadly. I am sure they are putting a positive spin on things for a multitude of reasons, but...

I wish him well. Lovely to think of him in a good marriage, and I know he adored his Mom.

[DianaCLT]

Suzy Q - couldn't agree with you more.

And seriously? The Enquirer has always sucked ass as far as facts and those little piddly things called TRUTH...but to say someone is dying if they, in TRUTH, are not, is just evil.

So - where do the souls of the Enquirer writers go when THEY die????

And yes - pancreatic cancer IS a horrible cancer and frequently deadly. But Patrick Swayze, I would say, is a good candidate for beating illness. He has the means ($$). He has the overall health (besides the cancer, I mean). He is physically and spiritually strong. And he has an amazing love with his wife that will inspire him to fight.

Best of luck, Mr. Swayze.

[chatty cricket]

Pancreatic Cancer is not just frequently deadly, it's virtually incurable. The symptoms often do not surface until the disease has progressed to a level that makes treatment extraordinarily difficult and often ineffective. I think the average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer is less than 1 year. It's a vicious disease.

My prayers go out to Patrick and his family.

[AJMick]

Pancreatic cancer is what Randy Pausch the Carnegie Mellon professor is battling. If you don't know who he is you should check out his "Last Lecture" here:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

It is amazing and humbling and my heart breaks for his beautiful family (wife and 3 kids) who will eventually have to go on without him but at least he's made it 6 months since diagnosis and a 3-6 month prognosis.

[diamondcait]

Nobody puts Patrick Swayze in a coffin! He's a fighter. Yes, pancreatic cancer is wretched and v.v. serious, but if anyone can overcome it, it's our man, Johnny Cassil!

[Peyton]

My father died of pancreatic cancer when he was 49. Diagnosed in January, passed away in April. It's an awful disease with a less than 5% survival rate past 5 years. I was very saddened to hear this today.

[Kay]

What others are saying. Short of a miracle, he probably won't be ok. Pancreatic is a death sentence in any form, and a swift one. I personally know 3 that were diagnosed and dead under 6 weeks.
I am still hoping for a miracle for our Mr. Swayze though, it would be a loss.

[Patrick Fan]

When I wrote "swift and deadly" earlier it was certainly without glee. Thank you Kay for laying it out there, which I hedged on. It is a death sentence and a rapid one. The minute you know you have it, it's time to get your affairs in order. I too, knew three that died of it, all very quickly and usually well under the most optimistic "outside" date. It's a terrible disease, and as others said, it is not survivable. If you ever hear "pancreatic" anything, it is not good. My prayers do go out to Patrick and his family. He has always seemed such a decent good man.

It's moments like these as Amy Winehouse is putting cigarettes out on her face, and the Lohans are continuing to pursue fame without working for it, and Britney...well. And today's news saying she "might" be pregnant? Just the sheer irresponsibility across the board of that type...and their families as they seek the golden calf to suckle on.