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."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=721721&pid=721720&uts=1253033626

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolnews,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

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.

Getty Images

Tags: books, patrick swayze, PatrickSwayze

Comments

(252)

Saturday 19 September

By don

Vote down Vote up Report this

Dalton from roadhouse was the best character in any of his movies.I love the way he kicked ass but was cool too.

By jan

His movies, ALL of them, were awesome! I fell in love with him in North and South, loved the Hockey movie, but Dirty dancing and Ghost are my favorites. You can tell a lot by a way a man treats the people in his life, and the way that he was with his wife is admirable, also his costars all loved him. Whoopi said he fought to get her the role of the Psychic on Ghost, I could not imagine anyone else in the role, and she won a well deserved Oscar for the role. (which she credits Patrick for!) She really appreciated him and her friendship with the man tremendously! Patrick was a sexy HUNK of a man, but he could do any role and make it believable. Any movie that he was in, I could watch over and over, no problem. He was that good! It has been a cruel Summer, we have lost many greats, but for me, MJ and Patrick are the ones whose deaths hurt the most. I never heard Patrick say a bad word about anyone, he was a man above most men. He will be missed, so very much. RIP Patrick, if only they made more men like you! You walked the walk of how to treat all of humanity, and I appreciated you for that, and for so much more! RIP.

By marlynne

Your love is the kind that endures the test of time. My parents had such a love. My father past from pancreatic cancer also in 2003 after a 20 month battle. It just go to show how the will power to live can help you through any troubling times. The power of love and family , friends can get you through the roughest part of life.

By Joyce

I remember "North and South"...I always thought he was a real hunk and so, so sexy in the way he moved. I recently heard an interview with his co-star, Leslie Ann Down, in N&S and she said he just took her breath away simply walking into the room. He was all male, but a gentleman and an honorable man too. My prayers are with Lisa. When two people have what they had, the one left behind needs to be acknowledged more.

By Abraxus

Rest in peace Patrick - the end you endured was not easy, but you gave so much to so many and didn't ask for much in return except to continue working. Your work made us happy or sad or uplifted, we will miss you!

By tiffany

the only thing i got 2 say is may god rest ur soul patrick .and bless ur family .life is so short no 1 knows when there time is coming ..if u got sumthing stupid 2 say keep it 2 ur self he was a great person a great actor people all over the world loved him his movies he was hot and now his body is layin 2 rest so let him rest in peace my blessings go out 2 his family .u in a better place u aINT SUFFERING anymore love u

By angie

Patrick Swayze was an awesome actor! I remember him in North and South and enjoyed watching! He had a presence about him that was demonstrated in his work.

This is quite a loss of a excellent professional. It is even more so a loss of a great man to his family and friends. God Bless....See you on the other side!

Sunday 20 September

By nancy

There are few actors this generation can count as genuine people of good character and gifted in their craft. Patrick Swayze will be remembered with love and admiration.
he joins a host of some greats of the past when he enters the heavenly realm....

By lgkittaka

Like many others, I was very sad to hear of Patrick's untimely death. As someone else said, he
really was a class act, both off and on the screen.
I can remember him way back in the "Outsiders", based on the S E Hinton book. He even does comedy; he had a cameo in some British movie in recent years and was very funny. (I can't remember the name.) And what an incredible dancer, way before he became known as an actor. But the thing I most respect is his long and happy marriage to his sweetheart Lisa Niemi. One of the most enduring couples in the showbiz world. My thoughts are with Lisa and their families. Patrick, RIP, from New Zealand with love.

By michael

All i can say is sex tapes and Mr swayzes life dont mix so knock it off by doing that. This was a great man may he rest in peace.

By Bunny

I admired and was a fan of Patrick's. It is really rare today that any actor would be married to the same woman for so long, as a matter of fact, even non actors, LOL. He was such a hunk and gentleman. My favorite of his was "Ghost". He will be missed. Patrick, be at peace and we will see you again. God bless.

By Susan

Isn't it a great tribute to this man that there are no "mean" comments or comments that relate to other issues besides his life and death? Wow. That really says something about this guy. I admire his life, his outlook, his marriage.

By Eric

Goodbye and Godspeed Patrick. May God take you and keep you and give comfort to your family. Everyone is given talent, some more than others, but to be able to write, sing, act, and dance; you used those talents completely. I will never forget the first time I saw you act. I got so into your character..."WOLVERINES!"; I became a fan of your movies.
OK, I'm a guy...I didn't see "Dirty Dancing".(Chick Flick-Perhaps the ultimate chick flick) or "Ghost" but in your action movies you always choreographed all your fight scenes realistic enough for me to believe; damn,that Drag Queen just kicked that guy's ass, when you were in "Wong Foo".Call me a heathen, but I believe the almighty got a laugh at that.
Rest in Peace, Patrick. But, do me a favor, if I get anywhere around you in Heaven, please show me how you choreographed the really big bar fight in "Roadhouse",OK?

By Dawn

A whisper of wind that brushes against you is patrick giving you a hug to say " i am still here"
A whisper ofrain that now falls from heavens gate is patrick giving you a kiss to say " i still love you "
A whisper of light on a cloudy day is patrick liting your way so you may see.
A whisper patrick may only be but he is only a whisper away , let us never lose the whispers of the world.

By Karen

Patric was a great actor and husband he will be missed by us all.

By PattySnyder

I wish I had known him as a man not just a actor. I think we could have been friends. I also am fighting cancer, and have lived a year longer than the doctor had hoped for. I know the chemo routine. It is amazing what Patrick had done. He gives me strength. I wish his family the best and I know the memories will last forever. I am so sorry he is gone. I will love his movies even more when I see them over and over. May God be with his family and may his mansion in the sky be as great as he is.

By Lroy

My favorite was "Miss Vida Boheme" from, "To Wong Fu, Thanks for everything, Julie Newmar".
With Wesley Snipes and John Leguzamo.
"Ready or not, Here comes Momma". I never though Patric could ever look like a woman.
Oh, And folks, Please, proof read before you push a send button. Appauled is discusted with something. We literate are appauled by typos.

By Rose

I would like to see the Oscar organization put his name into nomination for the Lifetime achievement award post humunous (sp?) because of the positive image he gave for the acting industry.

By megapixel40

Im sadened by the lose of an increadible actor and the wounderful talent he posseced.I wish his family only the best in there time of need.Recently I my self lost a valued freind to this devistating illness.Her name was Patrica Harkins and like Patrick she had a real zest for life and was always true to herself.It was just one year to the day that she had told me she had pancreatic cancer that she had passed away.The couincidenc of the two is fanominal.There is no day that goes by that there is no sadness in my heart and soul I had 6 good yrs. to enjoy our freindship.She gave us much as did Patric and asked for nothing in return that is just one of the meny things I believe the two had in common.To Patrics wife and family I wish you well and hope that you focus only on the good things you shared and not so much on the lose.I think often of all the things that we shared and I will treasure those memories alwasy may you and your family do the same.Remembr always the love,life,happiness that you all had these are the things that I truly beleive will keep the memories alive for a life time to come.I hope that you are consoled in the fact that our love ones are always with us even in death they watch over us and guide us to live a full life even though they can no longer be here I know they are in spirit.RIP until we may meat again someday down lifes road.

By alexh

great souls always live that life behind the spotlights.and live their life to the fullest terms, enjoy every minutes.
die young but leave a strong messages tu us.
God bless him and family.
(sorry if there is a mispelling on my comments)
Alexh/atlanta ga.usa

Page 5 of 13