Patrick Swayze's New Biography: 'I Used To Believe I Was Invincible'

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A new biography called 'Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance' reveals that the actor's original diagnosis of pancreatic cancer gave the actor just a 5% chance of survival. Despite those grim odds, Swayze believes he will conquer the illness.
According to the NY Daily News, the book contains Sony executive Jamie Erlicht's recollection of the conversation in which the 'Beast' star revealed his condition to the show's production team. "He told us, 'Guys, I have some horrible news. But if you can be patient and stand by me, I'm going to come back and do the show. I'm in great condition. I'm a cowboy. I'm a dancer. I'll beat this.'"
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Swayze's Cancer Battle
With his health and fight against pancreatic cancer still looming, Patrick Swayze's show 'The Beast' has been canceled after one season on the air. Swayze's been dealing with bigger issues of late, including having to deny death reports in mid-May.
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

Swayzes Cancer Battle

    With his health and fight against pancreatic cancer still looming, Patrick Swayze's show 'The Beast' has been canceled after one season on the air. Swayze's been dealing with bigger issues of late, including having to deny death reports in mid-May.

    Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

    Swayze's battle with pancreatic cancer has been a public one at times. He's seen here in January of 2009 giving his first television interview since being diagnosed. Swayze told Barbara Walters that "You spend so much time chasing staying alive, you won't live."

    Ron Tom, ABC

    Swayze opened up about his cancer fight to PEOPLE in a March 2008 cover story to give his own take on his health.

    PEOPLE

    For Swayze, family is key during these tough times. His wife Lisa "has been a rock. She's there to support him through all of this," according to Swayze's sister. Lisa and Patrick are seen here in London on Nov. 28, 2005.

    Lefteris Pitarakis, AP

    Patrick and Lisa, here after the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Aug. 18 , 1997, met at his mother's dance studio when he was 19 and she was 15.

    Susan Sterner, AP

    Lisa, left, and Patrick married in 1975. Facing Patrick's diagnosis, Lisa is taking charge of his fight and recovery, including flying him to chemotherapy, making special high-fat meals, and keeping track of his medication. Many of Swayze's friends and costars have also given the actor support.

    Rebecca Sapp, WireImage.com

    "He's a Texan -- very strong and very determined. And he has a wife who adores him at his side. Theirs is a great, enduring love. It's inspiring to all of us," Natasha Richardson, who co-starred with Swayze in 'Waking Up in Reno,' said.

    Peter Kramer, AP

    Liam Neeson recalled an incident when he and Swayze were on Broadway together in 'Next of Kin'. "A few times he and Lisa would be chatting about his early Broadway days when he was a dancer, and he'd suddenly start dancing -- it was just like a piece of poetry. They'd just get up, and the two of them would dance. It was very beautiful, very moving."

    Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images

    "Like any great marriage, they seem to move together as one person. They're like a single organism. She is a strong, strong woman -- very funny, very kind, very smart. They love each other and it's apparent. The partnership is for life," 'Road House' co-star Kelly Lynch described of Patrick and his wife.

    Steve Granitz, WireImage.com

    Tom Cruise, who befriended Swayze on the set of 'The Outsiders,' said, "I've always known Patrick to be a good man, a fighter. We are all pulling for him and praying for a quick recovery."

    Charley Gallay, Getty Images

Author Wendy Leigh writes in the biography: "How do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you're a dead man? You go to work."
The crew of 'The Beast' tells Leigh that Swayze worked 12-hour days, without the aid of painkillers. The actor completed every one of his 12 episodes.
"My big regret is the physical damage I've done to my body," Swayze says. "I can do almost anything physically and I used to believe I was invincible, breaking bones over and over, playing football, doing gymnastics, diving, ballet, doing my own stunts, kick boxing, staging fights ... it all seems a little stupid to me now."
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Craig Sjodin, ABC
Craig Sjodin, ABC
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2009-05-08 11:22:01