Patrick Swayze's Wife Reflects One Year Later

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 14th 2010 02:10PM

It's been an uphill climb for Patrick Swayze's wife, actress Lisa Niemi, since her universally-loved husband passed away a year ago, but things are starting to look up.

"In some ways I look at the anniversary and think, 'It's either going to knock me down or it's going to make me stronger," Niemi told PEOPLE. "And I know I'm stronger now. The fact that I've had some good days definitely gives me hope that I can have more."

With her spirits on the mend, Niemi is determined to honor her husband's memory. She is now a spokeswoman for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and has launched an awareness campaign in Swayze's name called 'Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer: Know it. Fight it. End it.'

Swayze lost a long battle with pancreatic cancer last year, and Niemi figured the best way to honor him would be to help others in the same struggle.

"It's a merciless disease," Niemi said. "If Patrick being sick can help somebody else, it's the highest honor I could help him have."

Although Swayze has been gone for a year now, Niemi says it sometimes feels like he never left.

"Sometimes there won't be any wind, so I like to think it's [Patrick]," Niemi said in the interview. "I do sense his presence, and I like that. Just because he's gone now doesn't mean that love doesn't go on."

Tags: awareness campaign, lisa niemi, Pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze

Comments

(18)

Tuesday 14 September

By Bella Mia

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Lisa - you are not along in missing Patrick. He was a larger than life presence in the entertainment industry. Stay strong, he's watching over you now.

By Sissy

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

It is impossible to fall out of love. Love is such a powerful emotion, that once it envelops you it does not depart. True love is eternal. If you think that you were once in love, but fell out of it, then it wasn't love you were in. There are no 'exit' signs in love, there is only an 'on' ramp.
(( W_e_a_l_t_h_y_S_o_c_i_a_l . c_0_m ))
Lots of my friends found their lovers through the service. You may have a try... ;)

You will love it

By SiastaEg

R.I.P Swayze, you are missed. Your wife has grace.

By Hello, SALLY!

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

One day, there will be a cure for all cancers found. If we can turn sand into silicone we can beat cancer!

By LARRY

Vote down Vote up Report this

There"s been a cure for cancer, Doctor"s won"t tell you this because they won"t make the big buck"s anymore.

By dkids05

I am so glad to hear about your cause. I lost my best friend Jan in 2003 to that dam cancer and she suffered terribley as did Patrick she was a great person and had all her plans made herself I tried to help as much as I could. I miss her alot as I am sure u do also miss Patrick I miss him too he was a great actor I love all his movies. I wish u all the best.
Dee Patch

By bjam40

Lisa, my thoughts and prayers are with you. My husband was diagnosed 18 months ago with this horrific disease and it has now progressed to his liver. Seeing the love of my life losing his battle is heartbreaking. I can only imagine what you went through a year ago. You are an amazing woman and I agree that something needs to be done to fund research for this silent killer. Patrick was my favorite, especially in "North-South".

By Ki Ki

Wow a year already. Peace be with you.

By Jollygin

Lisa, Patrick's memory will always live on. He was such a great actor and I love all of his movies. Not only does his memory live on, but he is your guardian angel. You were so blessed to have him in your life.

By Barbara

I know she probably never sees any of this but each time I see one of his movies I think what an incredible smile and no the love never goes Lisa from Ghost he takes the love with him. And may you find your strength in his love.

By Monica

We should all be so lucky to have a great love like they had. Although probably not perfect, and he died too young - at least they both experienced true love.

By Monica Lawson

I don't usually go on this type of chatline .... but I too am approaching an anniversary of my husband's death in 2009 ... just awhile before Patrick Swayze died. My husband of 52 years, Eldon, would be celebrating a birthday Sept 15th .... I'll still celebrate it as a memorial to his life and love. Love never dies because I can still feel his hand holding mine, his kiss brushing my cheek, and his strength as he held me together during the last days of his life ...

By K

Already a year? Cancer is horrible, I have had alot of family and friends die from this diease. I do think there is a cure out there, but if they let us know, then the doctors, and the pharmacies, hospitals would go under. I wish they would find something, because no one should have to go through this nightmare.

By jake192168

if she is a spokeman there tell her to tell everyone not to smoke as mr swayze did. had he not he may still be alive!

Wednesday 29 September

By Nc

My grandmother died from this disease =never smoked in her life, wasn't around smokers, didn't drink, ate healthy.
She was 84 years old.

It strikes people of all ages and wasn't caused by smoking.

Please do some research before you talk smack about somebody.

Friday 17 September

By blogs

uggugg

Saturday 06 August

By petra

you were so lucky to be his wife and he was so lucky to be your husband a lot of people would have loved to have that kind of love in there life i know i would have had in a heartbeat... god bless you for you helping others....

Friday 19 August

By sarah

I have cancer again. This is my 3 fight with it. I am refusing treatment because they can't garanetee me remission. I much rather have the quality of life instead of quantity. We miss you patrick! Lisa is a strong woman and I know she will be alright. Patrick was lucky to have such a loving wife. I saw them dance together and you can always tell how much in love they where with each other. Keep your head up Lisa!

Page 1 of 1