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 patricia sheehan

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Patrick was so brave in the way he choose to live his life and our love goes out to his family as well as our prayers. we will always remember him.

Friday 18 September

By Pat

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Patrick has always been one of my favorite actors. His interview with Barbara Walters was so touching--I don't think I have ever seen such a brave person battling such a terrible disease. Dirty Dancing is and will always be one of my favorite movies because of Patrick. His wife and family have my sincere condolences.

By Sandra

Patrick was a number 1 class act..in the movies and also and most important in his personal life...No one can say anything bad about him..God Bless his wife and family

By Almost 70

Having lived in the Houston neighborhood [Oak Forest] for 50+ years where the Swayze/Niemi families lived & Patsy had dance studio, we are saddened by the early loss a great American, actor, & dancer. As mentioned elsewhere in these comments, Patrick received no negative publicity. Oak Forest community provided a very stable foundation for family growth for all it's residents.

By d

Sweet Journey!

By BONNIE

I have always been a BIG Patrick Swayze fan, the first movie I ever saw him in was "Skatetown USA", it was made back in the 70's. But his Dirty Dancing and Ghost roles are his most memorable, I do remember His North & South movie, I was glued to my TV for the entire mini-series, and cried like a baby when he was killed in the end. I hope his wife Lisa will be able to feel his Love surround her everyday, and know that he took the Love they shared for the last 34 years with him. Heaven has a New Angel, and he's teaching God how to Merang'e, excuse the spelling. I Loved You Patrick, and will miss the movies you could have made, but will watch over and over the ones you left behind, CLASSICS, all of them. Sleep with the Angels Mr.Swayze, I know you'll be watching from Heaven.

By d.j.

My entire family has always "loved" Patrick Swayze...young and old...and in-between...we are sorry for the loss of him at such a young age! He will always be a "GREAT HUMAN BEING"...as well as a great actor, dancer...and even his singing was great...the "GOOD" d-o sometimes "DIE Y-O-U-N-G"!!!

By Anthony

Patric was a good guy,and loving soul,I loved all of his movies,he will be greatly missed my prayers go out to his family,may he rest in peace.

By blackk93coupe

Most of it was filmed here in Lake Lure at the old Camp Chimney Rock.

By passionlady2

i loved patrick and all his movies but my favorite was dirty dancing. he was a great person i will miss him dearly. my heart goes out to lisa and family. he will be watching over all of u.
kathy

By ycav4424

I too am appluading the way he livd hiz liffe.

By Bonnie

Rest in Peace, I am so sad at your passing and now my brother is going to have to go through this also.......:(

Tuesday 29 September

By Margaret Leonardi

I fell in love with Patrick watching Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Everytime I watch Ghost, I cry, especially during that last scene. Now, unfortunately, that last scene has come true, he is up in heaven and took his love for Lisa and life with him. I don't think I have ever seen a love story like theirs. It is so inspiring and others could take a lesson from them. My sincere condolences to Lisa, his brothers, sisters, mother and friends. You are at peace now, Patrick, it doesn't hurt anymore. You will never be forgotten.

By Sarah

Hollywood will never be the same. An IDOL and my IDOL is gone. I loved every movie Patrick made especially Roadhouse. He will be missed. Its as if a family member is gone. I will remember him always. God bless the wife who shared her life with such a good guy.

By Sheila

The first movie I saw Patrick in was Dirty Dancing, and I was hooked. My favorite line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner". He was a hero to stand up to Babys father. I went to the theater 8 times to see that movie. The entire cast was great, but Patrick had it all, looks, charm, personality and a beautiful smile. The smile was always there and thats what I will miss seeing pictures of. God bless you Patrick and your wife and family.

By Patricia Czarnecki

A note to Lisa and the rest of Patricks family...Remember the love, always the love.
RIP Patrick..you will be missed.

By kskm126

Rest In Peace Patrick... you were always a true gentleman and a loving husband. I loved all your movies and you were a great inspiration to those that may have thought men should not dance. What a great actor, dancer, husband and human being you were. You will live on forever..... Lisa, nothing can prepare you for this moment in your life. May God be with you and know that there are alot of people out there praying for you.... DWTS will have a Tribute to Patrick and his dancing on the first or second show. RIP

By kevin

PATRICK WAS AN HONEST HARD WORKING MAN,

HE GAVE 110% IN EVERYTHING HE DID, A GREAT ROLE MODEL, HERO,AND ACTOR, MUCH RESPECT T YOU PATRICK, GOD BLESS YOU AND I KNOW YOUR WITH THE LORD, AND BLESS OUR WIFE, MISS YOU,,

By Blueeyeslisa39

He was my favorite actor and I love his movies and my favorite movie are Dirty Dancing, Ghost, The Outsiders, Point Break and Roadhouse. He was the best entertainer and he loved people and we all loved him too. He will be missed and my prayers goes out to his wife Lisa, his mother, his family and friends. Rest In Peace, Patrick.

By Nafeesah

Few men ever speak about their wives in the loving manner. Swayze always attributed his success to his wife who's been his constant supporter through his career and his cancer battle. It's rare to find a man who loves his wife as much as he does and has been for nearly 4 decades.

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