Swayze Memoir: No to Painkillers, Yes to 'An Amazing Ride'

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 18th 2009 09:24AM

In a quest to remain mentally sharp, Patrick Swayze turned away painkillers while enduring rigorous chemotherapy treatments during much of his battle with pancreatic cancer, his soon-to-be-released memoir, 'The Time of My Life,' will reveal. That, along with the actor's reaction and stoic acceptance of his disease, are just some of topics found in the book, according to excerpts highlighted by NBC's 'Today' and the NY Daily News. 'Life,' out Sept. 29, was co-written with wife Lisa Niemi.

Swayze died Monday evening in Los Angeles. Funeral plans have not been set, however fans will stage a memorial this weekend in the small North Carolina town where the actor's biggest film, 'Dirty Dancing' was filmed. Excerpts from 'The Time of My Life,' after the jump.

Discovering the Cancer:
"I had been having some digestive trouble, mostly acid reflux and a kind of bloated feeling, for a few weeks ... I've had a sensitive stomach my whole life, so I hadn't thought much of it, but lately I just couldn't shake the constant discomfort ... My doctor told me my chances of surviving for more than a few months weren't high and I had no reason to doubt him."

Disbelief ...
"I had been excited about the upswing my life was on ... Now it all seemed like a cruel joke. I couldn't be dying -- I had too much to live for!"

... And Acceptance:
"I began thinking to myself, I've had more lifetimes than any 10 people put together, and it's been an amazing ride. So this is okay."

No Painkillers:
"I continued with chemotherapy all the way through the shoot [for his TV show, 'The Beast']. But I never took any painkillers since they dull not only your pain but also your sharpness."

Thanking the Love of His Life:
"How grateful I am that you chose to love me. I know that because of you, I've found my spirit. I saw the man I wanted to be. You are my woman, my lover, my mate and my lady. I loved you forever, I love you now and I will love you forever more."

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Patrick & Lisa: A Love Story

A 19-year-old Swayze met Lisa Niemi in 1970 at his mother's dance studio and she immediately brought the cocky hunk and his ego down to earth. "She didn't buy any of my nonsense," he's said of their early days. "We spent half our dates in total silence as she wouldn't talk to me if she thought I was putting on an act." Five years later they were married.

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Tags: books, patrick swayze, PatrickSwayze

Comments

(252)

Saturday 19 September

By Gail

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Yes, the positives don't seem to be news worthy. What a great role model Patrick and his wife are! Yes, I thought he was one of the sexiest men ever. How many times have I seen Dirty Dancing? I loved hearing that he had practiced all those dance steps with his wife. They kept away from all the Hollywood trashy birds of drugs, infidelity and glitz. Let's hear it for a special man; shed a tear that he is gone; be sad for his wife who will be so lonely, but someone who has shown that one can be a professional and personal success. I will miss him!

By CINDY

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TO mrs bridges 1212....................I THINK YOU SHOULD "SLOW DOWN" AND TAKE THE BIGGEST "CHILL PILL" THAT YOU CAN FIND!! PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE. YOU ARE NOT "POWERFUL" ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE THINGS THEY CHOOSE TO POST!!

By Michelle

Amen, Mike. Patrick and Lisa Niemi Swayze were a class act as a couple and were/are so alone. God bless them, their loved ones,you and your loved ones, sir.

Thank you also, Liz. I hear you, girl.

Sunday 20 September

By Billy

A great Texan!

Friday 18 September

By Danny

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RIP... Patrick, You were a wonderful actor and great human being. Lisa, may God be with you at this very sad time. Always remember, to be absent from the flesh body, is to be present with the Lord.

By kk

Well written Danny! Bless you for reminding others that eternal life is something to look forward to, not the every day nonsense we face here on earth. If we know the Lord God, we have nothing to fear from death!!

By Terri

I am so deeply saddened for not only his family's loss, but for OURS as well. He was a one of our generations greatest actors... kind, quiet, loved life and loved a beautiful woman. Couples today, could learn from them. He was a very gentle soul, who happened to be a big celebrity, but took it all in stride and remained true to himself. RIP Patrick, and always watch over your Lisa

By KITTEN

HE IS WHAT A REAL MAN IS! THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD..THERE ARE NONE.

BLESS YOU PATRICK FOR YOUR HEART, YOUR HONOR AND YOUR VULNERABILITY TO LOVE AND BE LOVED.

FOREVER!

By JEFF

I guess getting drunk and flying an airplane endangering himself and others is ok because of who he is luckly he was caught or no telling what else he would have done

By grace

I felt very sad when I learned he had died. I think he was a genuine person and I enjoyed his movies. I know his wife will have memories of so many years together. Rest in Peace, Patrick.

By mic

The good ones die young. Miss you already.

By dano

POPEATER had a headline not long after Swayze was diagnosed with cancer last year that went..."Patrick Swayze not dead yet...so we hear". It was really slimey and sad. POPEATER lives for this. Without them, POPEATER is out of business. I only wish somebody could get some film footage of the private lives of these TMZ and POPEATER types and post it online. Need we mention the TMZ/POPEATER handling of Natasha Richardsons death?

By John

He was a great actor and it seems a better person. Everyone mentions Ghost and Dirty Dancing but my favorites and some of his best roles were in The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Roadhouse.
RIP Buddy.

By Dennis McGee

Does anybody remember his great performance in the mini serial North and South. One of his best if not best.

By vonia

I agree Dennis. I loved Patrick in North and South and think it was his best role.

By sharon

I agree! Alot of talent in "Red Dawn". Not to mention the subject of the movie could really happen here. One of the scariest, but best movies I'd seen.

By Ivonne

By all means, in these roles Patrick proved he could act not just dance. I still remember watching The Outsiders and being impressed with so much emerging talent, including his. Let's not forget another GREAT role he portrayed in Point Break. WOW!! the Surfer-Robber alongside Keanu Reeves, the undercover cop. In my opinion, North & South was an important turning point in his career and the rest as we know it, IS BEAUTIFUL MOVIE HISTORY!

R.I.P. Patrick and may the love you've taken with you filter down on your loving wife, your brother Donny and the rest of the world. DITTO!

By Ilyssa

What is amazing to hear is that he died approximately a month after he stopped treatment. he was also the same age as his father when he passed away. What I did not know was I think that the reason also why he stayed away from the painkillers is because his sister died from an overdose, and they were saying it was a suicide. I think he was after that if he was also to start with the pills that he too would get out of control with the pain pills. They are addicting as we are all too familiar with. He as well had a past with alcoholism after his father's death.[ I believe]
I was so sad those many months ago when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I know so many peole that been diagnosed with it and within months they passed away. Patrick never gave up, he fought it with everything he had! I think Lisa was a big inspiration for him, he really loved her with every ounce of his being.
I will never forget any of those movies everyone has mentioned nor To Wong Foo thanks For Everything Julie Newmar, he even looked good in drag, along with Wesley Snipes. Patrick actually was nominated for best actor for that picture- Golden Globe Comedy/Musical.
I will never forget him, he really was a class act. Rest in peace! May my condolences go out to Lisa and his brother Donny!

By Theresa

R.I.P. Patrick, you will be missed. God Bless your family

By Rome

Sad. :( My heart goes out to his family who was blessed for being a part of this beautiful individual's life. R.I.P Patrick.

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