I think most people will have seen Patrick Swayze in either Dirty Dancing or Ghost, two of the well known films he stared in, I loved both of them. Two beautiful love stories with beautiful endings, I'm a big softie when it comes to slushy romance. The story inside this book has the makings of another love story, this time a true real life love story.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read a book like this, dying is not something I want to think about unless it affects my family or close friends. I was expecting it to be hard going and emotionally draining, it was neither. Lisa shares the details of Patricks long battle, describing how they endured his last days. She shows that no matter how dark the future may seem there are always reserves of strengths to call upon, and Worth Fighting For is about how to make it through each day.
They managed to pack a hell of a lot of living in the time they had left, despite all the pain and suffering Patrick was going through. They regularly flew themselves in their own aircraft from home to the hospital for treatment. They both had a pilots licence and were often arguing about which one was going to be Captain when it came to making descisions during the flight. At one time they came up against a huge black storm cloud and couldn't agree whether to fly over it or under it. A call to their flying instructor came back with the answer, you fly though it, that's what you have the instrument panel for.
The way the press hounded them was shocking. I remember seeing photo's of him in the papers when he looked so poorly, and thinking why can't they leave him alone.
Patrick carried on working whenever he could, taking five months to film a TV series, then later working with Lisa on his biography. Every time he changed his chemo there was another lot of side effects to cope with. They always felt that if he could keep going for longer then a cure might be found. Sadly it wasn't to be, he died at home.
Lisa writes beautifully about their love for each other, their love of dancing, of their ranch, of their horses and their dogs. She took charge of all his needs while he was ill, she devoted every minute to looking after him, preparing his medicines, and getting him to appointments. I feel that this book would offer some comfort to others who might find themselves caring for someone with terminal cancer. It's about taking one day at a time, but it goes much deeper than the day to day nursing, it's about a couple who never give up hope. It's about a celebration of the kind of love which can sustain you in the most difficult of circumstances. It's a beautiful story.
My doctor told me I would die of pancreatic cancer. My father and his mother, my grandmother did. My looks and medical problems, few really, are the same as that side of the family. Daddy refused chemo or anything and lived 19 months, sort of unheard of over 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe doctor also said my healthier lifestyle would delay the onset by 20 years. Well, there are no guarantees, but there are certain foods I avoid. Also, I will not have any treatment unless there is a cure.
This is a cancer that can be avoided to a certain extent.
Well I hope you keep healthy, PP. What type of foods do you avoid, is it fatty foods etc?
DeleteI avoid nitrates and nitrates. They are in bacon, ham, hot dogs,potted meat, sausage. I like all those, but rarely ate them at all. Now, I eaten even less. One thing that helps is to eat Vit C laden food with any of these. So, I drink about 16 oz orange juice with a sausage/ biscuit. If I buy and cook bacon, I make sure I hav oj with the scrambled eggs that go with my bacon consumption. If anyone knows anything else to avoid, just tell me. If it is too long from now, I will forget to look here, so just email me.
DeleteAlso, I keep my hands out of chemicals and avoid breathing chemicals or gasoline or paint thinners. Daddy was always cleaning something, car part in gasoline. He used thinners all the time. He grew up during the Depression, so these precautions were unheard of, plus he was hungry lots of the time. Food was food, never mind what chemicals were added. We know better now.
Patrick Swayze was an incredibly beautiful dancer,and this couple seemed so genuine (unlike most 'celebrity ' couples).
ReplyDeleteJane x
Will have to read it. I liked Patrick Swayze. He was also in "Keeping Mum" which is a British movie that I've seen 2 or 3 times; very funny.
ReplyDeleteMagatha
I don't think I can read it, I still cry when I see him in Dirty Dancing :( Such a beautiful man and such a dreadful disease.
ReplyDeleteI still cry too when i think about him and how amazing he was. I read his autobiography though and it was really moving and inspiring. He may have had to die too early, but he packed so much in to that life and he never gave up hope in any aspects of his life. He is a huge inspiration and his book was warming rather than saddening. If your a fan, it may be worth a read of his autobiography or this book.
DeleteI think i will be dropping hints to my partner that i would like this book for Christmas, you never, it might work!
Can't read it (too close to it)but thanks for sharing - it sounds inspirational.
ReplyDeleteEveryone deals with grief in whichever way is best for them. This is a book worth reading if you are struggling to come to terms with losing a loved one. Maybe not straight away, but some time later when you have had time to reflect. Thank you all for your comments.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a GOOD read, but I may be crying all the way through with my soft heart.
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