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Bio Details Swayze's Cancer Fight

It was almost too late before actor visited doctor

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2009 9:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – Patrick Swayze’s first inkling that something was wrong came while sipping champagne on New Year’s Eve 2007, reports the New York Daily News. “It was like acid on an open wound,” he recalls in a new biography out Tuesday. At the end of January 2008, after dropping 20 pounds, he went to the doctor—then, despite a 5% chance of surviving pancreatic cancer, decided to go back to work.

“He told us, ‘Guys, I have some horrible news,’” recalls the executive producer of Swayze’s TV show The Beast in Wendy Leigh's Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance. “‘But if you can be patient and stand by me, I’m going to come back and do the show. I’m in great condition. I’m a cowboy. I’m a dancer. I’ll beat this.’”

In this Nov. 28, 2005 file photo, actress Patrick Swayze, right, accompanied by his wife Lisa Niemi pose prior to the premiere of his film Keeping Mum  in central London.
In this Nov. 28, 2005 file photo, actress Patrick Swayze, right, accompanied by his wife Lisa Niemi pose prior to the premiere of his film "Keeping Mum" in central London.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, file)
In this image released by A&E, Patrick Swayze is shown in a promotional photo for the A&E series, The Beast.
In this image released by A&E, Patrick Swayze is shown in a promotional photo for the A&E series, "The Beast."   (AP Photo/A&E, Michael Muller)
Patrick Swayze and wife Lisa Niemi pose backstage during the 9th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 17, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California.
Patrick Swayze and wife Lisa Niemi pose backstage during the 9th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 17, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California.   (Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS - JULY 27:  Actor Patrick Swayze kisses his wife, actress Lisa Niemi, backstage after Swayze received the Independent Career Achievement Award at the Video Software Dealers Association's award show at the organization's annual home video convention at the Bellagio July 27, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
LAS VEGAS - JULY 27: Actor Patrick Swayze kisses his wife, actress Lisa Niemi, backstage after Swayze received the Independent Career Achievement Award at the Video Software Dealers Association's award...   (Getty Images)
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