Patrick Swayze is being interviewed by Barbara Walters tonight

[Bozley]

Barbara Walters Special - Patrick Swayze: The Truth

Wednesday, January 7th 10/9c

In his first television interview since being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, actor Patrick Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi, speak exclusively to Barbara Walters. "Barbara Walters Special-Patrick Swayze: The Truth" will air on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

Sue!

I couldn't wait to see this interview! I was so excited. I was hoping there was something there to give more hope to people. ANY KIND jof information! Well I saw the previews this morning on Good Morning America and now I'm NOT going to watch it.

It showed a clip of Patrick talking to Barbara and he said he is still smoking cigarettes! What the heck?? OUR LINDA HAS HERSELF ON A SPECIAL DIET AND IS DOING EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO HEAL HERSELF AND HE IS STILL SMOKING CIGARETTES?????? Is he doing ANYTHING to try to help himself???

My prayers are with Linda Best, and I won't be watching this interview.

Joyce

 

[h2t99]

I watched it last night and you have to remember he has stage 4, so there is not a cure for him. For him to quit smoking would put so much stress on his body, why. It was a very good interview and he is a very strong man, who is living life to fullest!!

I smoked for 12 yrs and quit the day I found out I was pregant 10 yrs ago. It is not a easy thing to do and if I were in that spot I don't think I would spend the energy quitting, I would enjoy what time I had left!! If there were a chance of recovery then yes I would quit.

Ok Flame suit is on

 

[normajeanbaker]

No flames from me h2t99. I feel the same as you do. We had a friend who had cancer and by the time they found it, it had spread everywhere and it was just a matter of time, and she was fully aware it was just a matter of time. She was a heavy smoker and her thoughts were exactly as you posted. Did she do anything to help herself? You bet. Chemo, Radiation, etc. But, knowing the chemo and radiation wasnt working, she knew quitting smoking would just make her feel more miserable and not add any time onto what she had left, so why be more miserable then she had to be in the time she had left? Quitting at that stage wouldnt have added anymore time then she had left.

I think it's a "to each their own" decision, however, until you walk a day in someone's shoes, I dont think it's fair at all to judge the way he has decided to live the remainder of his time.

~Jen~

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

I smoked for 15 years and I also quit the day I found out I was pregnant with my first child. However, if it were me, I would quit the day they told me I had cancer, and at least give myself every possibility of living. People can and do beat this! I look at cigarettes as just "feeding" the cancer, I guess I just can't imagine doing that.

 

[Lucky-C-Acres-Minis]

If you had watched the interview then you would know that he's not a heavy smoker has one or two occasionally, not like many people nowadays that smoke a PACK or two a day.. I'm sure it helps to relieve the 'edge'/stress and probably some pain that his body is going through.. Quitting smoking with the stage of cancer he has isn't going to matter, he is and will die whether he smokes or not, there is no cure for this cancer, and sadly at this stage no way for him to beat it

only to keep living to the fullest until his last day.. Smoking isn't shortening his life any, heck he's already beat the odds of 99% of those who are diagnosed with this type and stage, most only live a few weeks to couple months after diagnosis, he's going on 11 months! and in my eyes he's doing all he can to live longer, he's taking one day at a time and making the most of it, he's still acting and doing what he loves, he spends every chance he gets training and showing the Arabian horses that he and Lisa raise, but most of all he's still loving the love of his life, Lisa.. Man, talk about the perfect love story

Only wish that someday I have a love has strong as theirs.. All my best to him and Lisa, and all the other cancer fighters/survivors out there!

 

[REO]

I agree with Lucky C.

Today is the 4th year anniversary of when I quit smoking. And I can tell you that you don't just quit and walk away with just mentally wanting to smoke. Nicotine is a drug that is in all your cells and quitting makes you SICK (at least it did me) for about a month while you detox. I was very sick!

So I agree, why put himself through that when he's so sick and dying anyway? Let the man live the way he wants in the short time he has left.

Only people who smoke or have smoked really know what it's like.

 

[txminipinto]

I agree with others. With his stage, there's no point. Allow the man to enjoy what he can with the time he has left. There is no cure for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Shoot, if I was him, I'd be jumping out of planes (not that I would ever really want to do that) just because I could.

 

[Charlene]

speaking from experience, when gary was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer (this cancer is directly linked to smoking), i never allowed another cigarette in our house. gary smoked heavily from the age of 12 until he quit TWO MONTHS before his diagnosis. it wasn't easy for him and in fact, it was probably one of the hardest things he ever did. when he'd go outside on the deck with me, he would often say to me "how about giving me a drag off that?" (yes, i did and still do *sigh*) and i would tell him absolutely not.

in hindsight, i wish i had indulged him. i know that must sound strange but i knew from day one that the cancer would kill him. i guess i just hoped beyond all hope that maybe i would get the miracle i prayed so hard for.

don't ask me why i still smoke, i don't have an answer other than i am simply too weak to even think about quitting. i watched the man i love wither away to nothing and die in my arms. you would think that would be incentive enough. i don't understand me.

 

[AppyLover2]

I didn't watch it. I saw the preview of Barbara asking Lisa if she'd considered what life would be like without him. I considered that a stupid, disrespectful, unnecessary question to ask with him sitting beside her. I love Patrick and otherwise would have watched it.....Barbara just plain turned me off....as she usually does.

As far as his continuing to smoke is concerned, it's his life and his decision to make.

 

[Lucky-C-Acres-Minis]

I didn't watch it. I saw the preview of Barbara asking Lisa if she'd considered what life would be like without him. I considered that a stupid, disrespectful, unnecessary question to ask with him sitting beside her. I love Patrick and otherwise would have watched it.....Barbara just plain turned me off....as she usually does.

Oh yes, have to say there were several questions she asked that I wanted to reach through the tv and slap her upside her head

But both of them handle the questions well and answered honestly and with their heart..

She asked him if he had any inclination on how much time he had left, which blew my mind

, he looked away with a wow, then looked back at her straight in the eye and answered along the lines of "oh I say 5 years tops, 2 years minimum, but aiming for the 5 years.."

When she ended the interview she told them she'd be back in two years to interview them again and he smiled and said "Great! I'll be here"

 

[Sonya]

I agree with what most have said....I don't think that quitting smoking for him at this point is going to make any difference except make him miserable. I know how hard it is to quit I've done it four times and am now on my fifth time as of Tues...and it's very stressful enough without having to deal with the fact that you ARE going to die regardless. I know how hard it is...Charlene don't ever quit quiting...try again, and keep trying!

I didn't watch the interview...not a fan of Barbara at all!

 

[Keri]

I watched it. It will be sad to see a great man like him gone. But I'm glad he's bringing awareness to pancreatic cancer. Like he said, if there was a cure, those people would be rich and famous (when asked if he used holistic stuff). I totally agree. Lets try and find a cure! But him and his wife are strong people. I wish them the best!!!

 

[hunterridgefarm]

i also agree with others one here.

i dont know if you have watch someone die due to pancreatic cancer but it is a long and hard road. this sept was 2 years that my father in law died from this we watch him go from a strong healthy man to a weak person that could not go. he had told us before the chemo makes him a person that he was not he would stop. and he done just that. and passed away 2 weeks later. i have watched my mother in law do everthing in her power she could do for him. my son got to feed his grandfather one of his last meals b/c my mother in law could not get him to eat. my father in law fought is battle for 18 mths . so please dont look down on him for smoking. heck if i was going to die from this i think that i would still smoke.

i used to work at a asst living home and there was a lady in there that fought lung cancer for 3 years and this is what her doctor told her the damage is all ready done so dont stop. and lou did not stop and lived 3 years with lung cancer from smoking.

diane

 

[Basketmiss]

I watched it and was happy to see him and Lisa as so happy. A great love story, which is amazing with actors/ celebrities.

I am a non smoker and dont want anyone to smoke, but it is his decision to keep it up. people who do smoke say smoking is such a stress reliever ( i dont understand I couldnt get past the tastwe or smell) So i would say he needs the least stress he can get..

For you smokers have you tried Chantrix(sp).

I have talked with lots of people who have smoked for 30 to 40 years and quit using it (Chantrix) and havent wanted another cigarette. that sounds great to me.

I think it is about $180 but your health is worth so much more than that amount of money!! I mean if it was a Million dollars then i can see not too many people could afford it...But $200 is cheap in the big picture!

I hope Patrick lives as long as possible with his strong will to do so...

 

[Sonya]

For you smokers have you tried Chantrix(sp).I have talked with lots of people who have smoked for 30 to 40 years and quit using it (Chantrix) and havent wanted another cigarette. that sounds great to me.

There are many success stories with Chantrix, but also some suicides that went along with. I can't take that and work, I'll loose my medical, so I've opted for the patch. I think it helps....but just alittle.

 

[Fred]

I have to respond to this and yes it is his decision to smoke or not but if you want to live you DO have to change your lifestyle even if it isn't the way you want. I have had to give up all white sugar, dairy, and white flour. I DO alternative stuff and it does seem to be the only thing working. As for pancreatic cancer awareness and treatment it is very low on the list of "priorities" to find a cure and it is very high on the list of what people die from. As for some of you saying no cure for stage IV I have talked to a couple of people that HAVE survived it and no longer have it. One of them is my cousins boyfriend and he is the picture of health. If YOU believe there is NO HOPE then there is no hope. I also bet Mr Swazye doesn't have to put up with the crap that I have to with the oncologist and the drug he was able to get is not available anywhere around here. I admire the man and I wish him all the best but prayers and hope DO WORK. Believe me if I told you the absolute CRAP I have to put up with you would not believe it and I used to work in a nursing home and worked for hospice. I know how hard it is to quit smoking my dad and uncles died of lung cancer and I DO understand how hard an addiction is but if you want something bad enough you you also have to give a little. Linda

 

[wildoak]

I watched the interview, and my hat is off to both of them. He is a strong individual who has already beaten the odds - I don't agree with the smoking, but it's certainly his decision to make. As to the questions they were asked, they knew going in what kind of interview it would be, and chose to answer the very direct questions Barbara is know for asking. Took a lot of guts on his part to come on national tv and discuss it openly.

Chantix (sp) does work for some people, but there is a strong link with depression/suicide risk so it's not for everyone.

Jan

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

THERE'S MY GIRL!!!! YOU GO LINDA!!!!! YOU HAVE GUTS!!!!!!!! AS I'VE SAID ALL ALONG!!!!!! YOU WILL BEAT THIS!!!!! OTHERS HAVE AND YOU WILL TOO!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU LINDA!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!! ALL THE POWER TO YOU!!!!!!

IF I CAN EVER DO ANYTHING FOR YOU, JUST LET ME KNOW!!!!!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!

lOVE, JOYCE