Patrick Swayze's Widow Shares Emotional Impact of His Cancer Diagnosis

Lisa Niemi Swayze, the widow of actor Patrick Swayze, opened up about the devastating emotional impact of her husband's stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis in an exclusive interview. Swayze was diagnosed in 2008 when the survival rate for the disease was just 6%. Lisa recalled the moment she learned of the diagnosis as "the worst night of my life," saying it seemed like "a nail was being hammered into my own coffin."

Despite the grim prognosis, Patrick managed to survive for 22 months after the diagnosis, which Lisa was grateful for. She explained that by the time the cancer was found, "it was impossible to turn around," but they were happy he "miraculously managed to survive 22 months after that." Lisa shared that Patrick knew he was "a dead man" when he first heard the news, and that "every ounce of energy" they had went into helping him live.

Why this matters: Patrick Swayze's battle with pancreatic cancer and his widow's emotional journey highlight the ongoing fight against this deadly disease. Their story emphasizes the importance of early detection and the need for continued research to improve survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients.

Since Patrick's passing in 2009, Lisa has partnered with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) to raise awareness and increase funding for research. She is committed to continuing the fight her late husband fought so hard for. While the survival rate for pancreatic cancer has risen from 6% to 13% since Patrick's diagnosis, Lisa emphasizes that "we've got to do better than that."

After going through a period of intense grief and depression following Patrick's death, Lisa found strength in the knowledge that others had navigated similar pain and survived. In 2014, she remarried, but still believes that Patrick is "still with her" today. Lisa will be participating in PanCAN's PurpleStride event on April 27, 2024, where she will also be speaking, to continue raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research in honor of her late husband's battle with the disease.

Key Takeaways

• Lisa Niemi Swayze, Patrick Swayze's widow, opened up about his devastating pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
• Patrick Swayze survived 22 months after the diagnosis, when the survival rate was just 6%.
• Lisa has partnered with PanCAN to raise awareness and increase funding for pancreatic cancer research.
• The survival rate for pancreatic cancer has risen to 13% since Patrick's diagnosis, but more progress is needed.
• Lisa will participate in PanCAN's PurpleStride event in 2024 to continue honoring her late husband's legacy.