A promotional photo from The Beast
It’s been eight months since Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he’s returned to work and is talking like he’s in the clear, which is amazing. Since he was diagnosed I’ve lost two family members to the same cancer, which is well-know for having a very poor prognosis.
He’s given his first formal interview with the New York Times, talking about his new show The Beast.
“I do find myself, at the end of the day, riding home sort of catching myself with a smile on my face,” he said. “I’m proud of what I’m doing.”
The show, about halfway through its 12-episode order, is on schedule, said Bob DeBitetto, the president of A&E. Mr. Swayze, 56, said he had managed to put 20 pounds back on since the low point of his weight loss as he fought the disease, relying on “muscle-building shakes.”
So far, the production team reported, he has missed only a day and a half of work. Mr. Swayze said: “I’m still fine to work, I haven’t changed — oh, I have changed, what am I saying? It’s a battle zone I go through. Chemo, no matter how you cut it, is hell on wheels.”
“There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, ‘I sure would like to make a mark in life,’ ” Mr. Swayze said. “I’ve made a pretty decent mark so far — nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There’s more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it.”
[From The NY Times]
Patrick doesn’t actually say that’s he’s beat cancer, and at the end of the interview his employer Zack Van Amburg says that his doctors are encouraging, but “they have never said he’s cured.” I think for many people with a life threatening illness, you feel most strongly the loss of direction, because you feel you can’t do anything with your life until you know a long term prognosis.
Patrick seems to be fighting this in the vest way possible, by continuing to work and having a focus beyond getting well. Obviously if he’s able to work 12-hour days during his recovery, something that many of us can’t manage when we’re completely healthy, he must be doing very well indeed.
