Patrick Swayze has Pancreatic Cancer** UPDATE** PS has passed away RIP

[Kim Ii]

Here's a link to an article re: Patrick in the Daily Mail (UK tabloid):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...ews.html?in_article_id=527009&in_page_id=1773

 

[trixie]

I agree!!!!!!!!!:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

How sad is it when the media feels that it has the right to invade a dying man's privacy. Apparently, PS wanted to keep this issue private and deal with it himself and with his family. It is sad that even the NE couldn't allow him that. Sad and pathetic.

 

[White Rain]

Check out this pic of Patrick when he was younger...totally hot and rocking a 6 pack.
gotta admit though...the in-your-face pubic hair is kinda a turn off...only kinda though...Still hot, IMO.

http://perezhilton.com/2008-03-07-vintage-patrick-swayze

 

[White Rain]

Earlier this week, Patrick Swayze confirmed that he had pancreatic cancer and celebs are sending their well wishes his way.

For the first time, his former "Dirty Dancing" co-star is speaking out and won't be put in the corner. Jennifer told Britian's Telegraph that the news is "so sad" and "if I saw him on the streets today, I'd throw my arms around him and love him up."

tmz.com

 

[indigomood]

Everyone who cares about Patrick should read his bio on IMDB. He met his wife when she was a 15 year old dancing student of his mom's.
There are some really thoughtful quotes from him about his bout with alcohol abuse, and especially about his spiritual beliefs.
His view of life after death seems so poignant now.

I've never known anyone to survive pancreatic cancer for very long, even with aggressive surgical resection of the pancreas.
God bless you Patrick! Dance like the wind.

I have. My husband's cousin is an ~ 14 yr. survivor of pancreatic cancer. He received treatment at Johns Hopkins.



(bolding is mine for emphasis)

 

[Utopia]

I have. My husband's cousin is an ~ 14 yr. survivor of pancreatic cancer. He received treatment at Johns Hopkins.

Wow, that's fantastic indigo! We need more survival stories!

 

[Malapoo]

The problem is that by the time it's usually discovered it's not just restricted to the pancreas. My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August last year but it was way to large for removal so they just bypassed so he could eat again - he couldn't even keep water down. It was already in his liver, gall bladder and duodenum. Early symptoms generally aren't "alarming" and are easily confused with simple things like ulcers, acid reflux, flu and other things.

 

[angelmom]

I have. My husband's cousin is an ~ 14 yr. survivor of pancreatic cancer. He received treatment at Johns Hopkins.

(bolding is mine for emphasis)

I'm so glad to hear that! That is awesome for your husband and for others out there who feel that they are hearing a death sentence with this diagnosis. Thanks for sharing it.

I hope you have many more years of good health together.

ETA: can I be nosy and ask what prompted his diagnosis? In other words, what made him go to the doctor so that they found it...I'm assuming early. He is obviously a model case other doctors would like to copy.

ETA2: I'm such a goof! Just re-read that this is not your DH, but his cousin. Sorry...I was reading too fast. Either way I'm happy he's doing well.

 

[MrsMush99]

The problem is that by the time it's usually discovered it's not just restricted to the pancreas. My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August last year but it was way to large for removal so they just bypassed so he could eat again - he couldn't even keep water down. It was already in his liver, gall bladder and duodenum. Early symptoms generally aren't "alarming" and are easily confused with simple things like ulcers, acid reflux, flu and other things.

My FIL was diagnosed August of last year also Malapoo. Fortunately, they were able to remove it, but it was in all the lymph nodes they removed. He just finished he last chemo treatment a couple of weeks ago. So far, it hasn't spread but he won't be having any more chemo until it does. So now we cross our fingers and wait. Prayers to your dad. It is a horrible disease.

 

[MrsMush99]

I'm so glad to hear that! That is awesome for your husband and for others out there who feel that they are hearing a death sentence with this diagnosis. Thanks for sharing it.

I hope you have many more years of good health together.

ETA: can I be nosy and ask what prompted his diagnosis? In other words, what made him go to the doctor so that they found it...I'm assuming early. He is obviously a model case other doctors would like to copy.

I am wondering the same exact thing.

 

[CarpeDiem]

ETA: can I be nosy and ask what prompted his diagnosis? In other words, what made him go to the doctor so that they found it...I'm assuming early. He is obviously a model case other doctors would like to copy.

When my loved one was diagnosed, she went in because of pain that wouldn't go away in the middle of her back.

 

[SeekingJana]

I have. My husband's cousin is an ~ 14 yr. survivor of pancreatic cancer. He received treatment at Johns Hopkins.



(bolding is mine for emphasis)

Great, I am glad he survived. I know that there are clinical trials at JH and NIH IF a person has not received either traditional chemo or radiation treatment. Sometimes, surgery also excludes them from the studies.
Do you know what type Pancreatic cancer your husband's relative had? What type of treatment he received and if it was a clinical trial?

Your husband's cousin beat the odds. I hope he has a happy day every day of his life, which is a truly a gift.
Many wonderful, loving, caring, productive people do not survive this usually deadly cancer. Your husband's relative is the exception to the rule and I think you know this is true, or should know it. "The bolding" appears to make a liar out of me when the facts have been reported here accurately by many people and are as I know them as well.

Maria

 

[MrsMush99]

When my loved one was diagnosed, she went in because of pain that wouldn't go away in the middle of her back.

My FIL was diagnosed because he had diarrhea for a month. He thought it was the stomach thing that was going around because my MIL and nephew had it. We were in FL during that time, and had no idea anything was wrong.

 

[SeekingJana]

The problem is that by the time it's usually discovered it's not just restricted to the pancreas. My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August last year but it was way to large for removal so they just bypassed so he could eat again - he couldn't even keep water down. It was already in his liver, gall bladder and duodenum. Early symptoms generally aren't "alarming" and are easily confused with simple things like ulcers, acid reflux, flu and other things.

You are right, Malapoo. It is usually far too advanced to treat with any success. I am so sorry about your dad. Hugs!! :blowkiss:

I had a family friend with pancreatic cancer who died last year. He lived around 5 years with surgery, IV chemotherapy, radiation and a new oral medication which was pancreatic cancer specific.Every day we and his family had with him was a blessing, but he died a very horrible death in the end. He was a strong man and he fought hard to live.

I hope very much that diagnostic screening tests are developed soon for this cancer, just as we have mammograms and new imaging techniques for women at risk for breast cancer, and blood test markers and precise ultrasonography for women who seem to have the usually vague symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Men also have blood tests which are specific screeners for prostate cancer.
Maybe Patrick's legacy to the world, aside from his wonderful career, will be increased public awareness, and perhaps private donations for endowments to fund research for early diagnostic testing research and more targeted chemotherapy. This is the only way the disease can be found and stopped in time to save lives.
Ditto for lung cancer. There is no reason why specific cancer antigen markers cannot be tested for both types of insiduous cancers.

God bless all who have dealt with this horrible disease, my sincere condolences to the posters who have lost loved ones way too early, and my deep concern for each of us, because statistically, with as many members as WS has, someone will be dealing with the diagnosis themselves. It may be me, it could be anyone, we never know.
One of the things I have realized as I have gotten older is that I used to think " Whew, thank goodness I'm too young to have to worry about that disease". I can't say that about most diseases now, ya know?

God bless us all and keep us safe and healthy,:blowkiss:
Maria

 

[FlowerChild]

Pancreatic Cancer often kills without the person even knowing they have it. That has happened TWICE to people I knew. The 1st was a co-worker who I worked closely with - she had NO SIGNS of any illness of any kind. I saw her all day most days - including 2 days before her death. Every day she was happy, laughing, normal - she was eating and drinking normally, looked great, not sick in any way, no pain, never missed a day of work, felt fine - not so much as a headache. She was entertaining a "gentleman friend" for the weekend and on Monday morning he woke to find her dead next to him - she died quietly and peacefully in her sleep. Gentleman friend looked "suspect" but an autopsy revealed advanced Pancreatic Cancer - she never knew.

The 2nd was a friend who was showing some signs of illness but was not debilitated - she lost weight and had on-and-off stomach upset - nothing severe and nothing painful - just felt "off" and couldn't gain any weight. Her GP thought she had IB or Gastritis. She collapsed at home one day and within 24 hours - before they could diagnose anything at the hospital - she died. Her family was SURE the hospital or Drs did something wrong - autopsy said advanced Pancreatic Cancer - it went to her brain - which is what killed her in the end - not the original Pancreatic Cancer - but it's spread into the brain.

It's quite insidious and stealthy - some people show signs of illness that don't seem severe and even their family Dr doesn't see them as severely ill. Others show no overt signs at all before the cancer kills them.

I hope PS gets the best care and has the best outcome. Regardless, it's none of our business and he deserves prayers, privacy and respect at this time. Fighting cancer is tough enough without the whole world watching your every breath.

My Opinion

 

[eve]

Pancreatic Cancer often kills without the person even knowing they have it. That has happened TWICE to people I knew. The 1st was a co-worker who I worked closely with - she had NO SIGNS of any illness of any kind. I saw her all day most days - including 2 days before her death. Every day she was happy, laughing, normal - she was eating and drinking normally, looked great, not sick in any way, no pain, never missed a day of work, felt fine - not so much as a headache. She was entertaining a "gentleman friend" for the weekend and on Monday morning he woke to find her dead next to him - she died quietly and peacefully in her sleep. Gentleman friend looked "suspect" but an autopsy revealed advanced Pancreatic Cancer - she never knew.

The 2nd was a friend who was showing some signs of illness but was not debilitated - she lost weight and had on-and-off stomach upset - nothing severe and nothing painful - just felt "off" and couldn't gain any weight. Her GP thought she had IB or Gastritis. She collapsed at home one day and within 24 hours - before they could diagnose anything at the hospital - she died. Her family was SURE the hospital or Drs did something wrong - autopsy said advanced Pancreatic Cancer - it went to her brain - which is what killed her in the end - not the original Pancreatic Cancer - but it's spread into the brain.

It's quite insidious and stealthy - some people show signs of illness that don't seem severe and even their family Dr doesn't see them as severely ill. Others show no overt signs at all before the cancer kills them.

I hope PS gets the best care and has the best outcome. Regardless, it's none of our business and he deserves prayers, privacy and respect at this time. Fighting cancer is tough enough without the whole world watching your every breath.

My Opinion

That is beyond terrifying. I will say though, if you have to die of it, I would rather go the way your friends did, rather than suffer and lose a long, protracted, painful fight. It is such a shock for those left behind that way though.

My FIL wasn't feeling too well but just ignored it. When he became jaundiced - looked yellow- he finally saw the doc. Died about 2 months later. He had had Type 2 Diabetes for years, and didn't take care of himself too well in regard to that, which I'm sure didn't help his pancreatic health. Another friend my age (49) who has it, was diagnosed about 3 years ago and is hanging in, the last I heard.

Eve

 

[believe09]

and peace/health to those who are soldiering on.

 

[SeekingJana]

Pancreatic Cancer often kills without the person even knowing they have it. That has happened TWICE to people I knew. The 1st was a co-worker who I worked closely with - she had NO SIGNS of any illness of any kind. I saw her all day most days - including 2 days before her death. Every day she was happy, laughing, normal - she was eating and drinking normally, looked great, not sick in any way, no pain, never missed a day of work, felt fine - not so much as a headache. She was entertaining a "gentleman friend" for the weekend and on Monday morning he woke to find her dead next to him - she died quietly and peacefully in her sleep. Gentleman friend looked "suspect" but an autopsy revealed advanced Pancreatic Cancer - she never knew.

The 2nd was a friend who was showing some signs of illness but was not debilitated - she lost weight and had on-and-off stomach upset - nothing severe and nothing painful - just felt "off" and couldn't gain any weight. Her GP thought she had IB or Gastritis. She collapsed at home one day and within 24 hours - before they could diagnose anything at the hospital - she died. Her family was SURE the hospital or Drs did something wrong - autopsy said advanced Pancreatic Cancer - it went to her brain - which is what killed her in the end - not the original Pancreatic Cancer - but it's spread into the brain.

It's quite insidious and stealthy - some people show signs of illness that don't seem severe and even their family Dr doesn't see them as severely ill. Others show no overt signs at all before the cancer kills them.

I hope PS gets the best care and has the best outcome. Regardless, it's none of our business and he deserves prayers, privacy and respect at this time. Fighting cancer is tough enough without the whole world watching your every breath.

My Opinion

I don't think any of us made it our personal business to find out the state of PS's health. It was pushed in our faces by media outlets which have no respect for any person. I think everyone here has sympathy and respect for Patrick, with maybe the exception of one person who made a crack about drinking.
While I am on the subject of total lack of respect for celebrities, I must consider the loudly stated announcements on the evening shows such as " Inside Edition" that Farrah Fawcett has had anal cancer. There may have been a thread here about it- not sure, but in any event, I think that was the ultimate intrusion since Farrah, to the best of my knowledge, has never divulged the location of her malignancy. I have cried for her as the news media " visited " her in Germany, where she has been receiving treatments not available in the US. She was much more gracious than most people could have been under the same circumstances.

The best thing we can hope for with this recent news is that through public awareness of a famous person having a rare, horrible disease like pancreatic cancer, and with genuine sympathy and love for him and what he is facing, those in Hollywood and elsewhere with the funds to donate enough money to pancreatic research to make a difference will do so in huge sums in his honor. And that through continued research will come accurate, early blood tests which are specific to pancreatic cancer and available to all people, much like the PSA routine blood test for men over 40 is specific to indicating prostate cancer.
Also, as I posted earlier, there is now an oral medication which targets pancreatic cancer. Its release was a medical breakthrough and has kept many people alive for 2-3 years longer than before it was developed. If that medication can be developed, so can the next generation which will be more effective for more people, and so on.

Since we are aware of Patrick's extreme illness, I will continue to pray for him and wish the best for him and his beloved wife. I do not read TMZ-type reports about his condition because I have doubted the validity of conflicting articles, and I have never bought a tabloid in my life ( or read one in line at a store check out). That doesn't make me any better for discussing Patrick's illness, but I was stunned and saddened, not gawking and discussing his possible prior personal habits.

Godspeed to Patrick and Lisa and those who love them.
Maria

 

[NewMom2003]

I'm very sad to hear this. I pray that he beats this.

I loved him in all the movies that have been mentioned on this thread, but my absolute favorite was the The Outsiders!

 

[Ticamom]

I'm very sad to hear this. I pray that he beats this.

I loved him in all the movies that have been mentioned on this thread, but my absolute favorite was the The Outsiders!

Me too, NewMom ! I absolutely LOVED him in the Outsiders. That was my favorite novel growing up and I loved it when it was made into a movie. He was wonderful as Darry. Then I saw Dirty Dancing and Ghost and fell hopelessly in love with him. My hubby understands, thank goodness.

I am praying for Patrick. :blowkiss: