Patrick Swayze – hard at work a year after pancreatic cancer diagnosis

The news was grim last January. Actor Patrick Swayze had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Nurses like me, who have worked with people with cancer, shook our heads, knowing that pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest cancers to beat. Sadly, because cancer of the pancreas is usually so far along when it’s diagnosed, the prognosis is usually very grim.

But, the months passed by and every so often, entertainment shows and websites would have a feature on how Patrick was doing and he seemed to be hanging in there. Good news, many of us thought. And then, he appeared on the TV special, Stand Up To Cancer – and there he was. A little older looking than he used to be, thinner than he used to be, but a healthy and whole Patrick Swayze. He was back.

Of course, he is being watched closely by his team of doctors and I’m sure his wife of 32 years, Lisa Niemi, played a large role in his recovery and continues to help him. Now, Patrick has a lead role on an A&E cop series that’s being filmed now. A self-confessed hard worker, he is finding the time to smile and appreciate life – and we get to appreciate him.

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Tags: patrick swayze, patrick swayze pancreatic cancer, cancer of the pancreas, cancer blog, pancreatic cancer, lisa niemi