Cancer "didn't beat" Patrick Swayze, wife Lisa says

Reuters - October 28, 2009 12:03 PM PDT
Story photo: Cancer Lisa Niemi, wife of the late Patrick Swayze, speaks at the Women's Conference 2009 in Long Beach, California October 27, 2009. REUTERS/Phil McCartenReuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze's widow, Lisa Niemi, said that even though her husband's battle with cancer lasted nearly two years, that did not prepare her for his death in September.

"This is all new to me, and I thought during the 22 months of my husband's illness that it gave me all this time to get used to the idea of losing him," Niemi said on Tuesday, in her first public appearance since Swayze's death.

"I found for myself that when I actually got to that point, I said, 'No, no, no.' It wasn't the same at all. The actual loss is an animal of its own," she said at a panel discussion on grief at the Women's Conference in Long Beach, California.

Niemi was joined California first lady Maria Shriver, actress and activist Susan Saint James and Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, who has herself battled cancer.

"Cancer may have taken Patrick, but it didn't beat him," Niemi said. The "Dirty Dancing" star died on September 14 at the age of 57.

Niemi will talk more about loving and losing her husband of 34 years to pancreatic cancer, in an interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey due to air on Friday.

(Reporting by Mary Milliken; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Jill Serjeant)

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  • cool person
    Lisa you had a good man and i believe he will be waiting for you at the end of the rainbow when god comes for you, i wish i would have had a good husband that cared that much for me like you had, as for now enjoyed this life we have here that is the way Patrick would have wanted it, i know the pain of a love one gone but i know that i will see them one day!!! god speed to you!!!!
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 3:11 PM PST
  • Yippers
    I can't wait to see this interview, she is an amazing lady.
    report abuseposted October 30, 2009 8:27 AM PDT
  • Yippers
    I can't wait to see this interview, she is an amazing lady.
    report abuseposted October 30, 2009 8:27 AM PDT
  • keepingitreal
    I cannot believe that Lisa was strong enough to appear on this panel. She is just amazing to me and I know that she will see Patrick again in Heaven. He will be waiting at the gates for her to arrive. I know that Patrick would want her to be happy and try and move on with her life as much as she can. I hope that she is surrounded by a loving family and friends that will support her and be there.
    report abuseposted October 29, 2009 10:56 AM PDT
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    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 8:04 PM PDT
  • Bule
    OMG,$99,Designer luxury bags,search " Nice Luxury Bags " on google,get Louis Vuitton,Hermes,Chanel etc.All 80% off,and free wallet promotion is now.Free wallet promotion is now.GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 5:56 PM PDT
  • E C
    He had a tough spirit, he never let cancer control him or get him down. RIP Patrick and i wish Lisa all the best!
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 1:19 PM PDT
  • Agent Babycakes
    I agree! He WAS a survivor! He lasted as long as he could and put up a damn good fight. That in and of itself is survival. Lisa, you are a strong and beautiful woman and you will be reunited with Patrick someday in paradise.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 12:49 PM PDT
  • PsychoSpice™
    Mim, that's not an actual person posting that.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 8:53 AM PDT
  • Mim
    How heartless can you be *Klemon63* I mean REALLY???????
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 8:19 AM PDT

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