Worth Fighting For
Love, Loss and Moving Forward
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4.5 • 55 Ratings
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- £5.99
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze first met as teenagers at his mother's dance studio. He was older and just a bit cocky; she was the gorgeous waif who refused to worship the ground he walked on. It didn't take long for them to fall in love. Their thirty-four year marriage -- which they explored together in The Time of My Life -- was a uniquely passionate partnership.
Now, for the first time, Lisa will share what it was like to care for her husband as he battled Stage IV pancreatic cancer, and will describe his last days when she simply tried to keep him comfortable. She writes searingly about her grief in the aftermath of Patrick's death, and candidly discusses the challenges that the past fourteen months without him have posed.
But while this is an emotionally honest and unflinching depiction of illness, death, and loss, it is also a hopeful and life-affirming exploration of the power of the human spirit. Lisa shows that no matter how dark the prospect of another day may seem, there are always reserves of strength to call upon, and the love shared between two people will never truly die.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Niemi's previous memoir, co-written with husband Patrick Swayze (The Time of My Life), appeared just after his death from pancreatic cancer, in 2009, and elaborates on his dancing and acting career (Dirty Dancing, etc.) and the couple's long, tight-knit marriage, since 1975. This work essentially delineates his sudden diagnosis in January 2008, and the tenacious struggle the two underwent to try to prolong his life sometimes with experimental treatment, as the cancer was aggressive and had no cure. A large tumor on his pancreas was blocking the drainage of his stomach, so that Swayze also had a hard time eating; because of the advanced nature of the disease, he was not a candidate for a "cyberknife" procedure or radiation, but he did finally qualify for a Stanford University trial study employing the new drug PTK, also called Vatalanib, along with an IV chemotherapy administered once a week. Yet the cancer continued its debilitating course, and as the news of his illness spread around the world, it created a deluge of well-wishers as well as importunate inquiries. Niemi writes movingly of trying to keep a positive outlook, staying organized with drugs, treatments, and foods for her husband, employing relatives as helpers and researchers, and, most of all, using the time she and Swayze had left together to enjoy and appreciate each other. It's a heartfelt account, both brave and honorable.
Customer Reviews
A moving read
If you have ever had to face serious illness as a carer of someone you love this is a very worthwhile read. Lisa’s ongoing commitment, devotion and hunger to help Patrick shines through and the heartfelt power of their love is awe inspiring and wonderful to hear and read about. Thank you for sharing your journey together with us.
Wonderful, thought provoking and full of love.
So many people write book reviews with “I couldn’t put it down”... but I couldn’t. I laughed, cried, cried some more and came away feeling the loss along with Lisa Niemi. Beautifully written and confirmed what I’d already read about Mr Swayze. He was a beautiful, strong soul with a heart of gold. Thank you for inviting me into your world for a while. I am full of gratitude and love for yours & Patrick’s life. Rest in peace.
Fantasic
Very sad and loving