Suzanne Somers Says Chemotherapy 'Poisoned' Patrick Swayze

God Bless you ahhhchooo. Good luck. I wish you the best. You too Gail. I am 1 year 6 mos 15 day survivor of Pancreatic Cancer. Ive done something like 6 months or more of Chemo. I also did 5 weeks straight of radiation. Its definately not an easy fight. im lucky so far with my 3rd clean scan with special thanks to GOD and my surgeon. I was one of so very few that could have a whipple procedure. I didnt do anything experimental but if it comes back I will do Anything. Suzanne Somers should educate herself about this cancer before discussing it. But I couldnt see anyone taking her advice (I hope).

scott -survivor wrote:

God Bless you ahhhchooo. Good luck. I wish you the best. You too Gail. I am 1 year 6 mos 15 day survivor of Pancreatic Cancer. Ive done something like 6 months or more of Chemo. I also did 5 weeks straight of radiation. Its definately not an easy fight. im lucky so far with my 3rd clean scan with special thanks to GOD and my surgeon. I was one of so very few that could have a whipple procedure. I didnt do anything experimental but if it comes back I will do Anything. Suzanne Somers should educate herself about this cancer before discussing it. But I couldnt see anyone taking her advice (I hope).

I am grateful that you are doing so well after your surgery and course of treatment. You have followed the advice of your physician's. I believe that Suzanne
S. has her right to express her opinions however unfounded that they may be. My concern is that her celebrity status may affect others in their course of treatment. Her cancer was totally different from Patrick Swayze's and she is comparing apples to oranges. My hope is that others will listen to their physician's and make their choices accordingly.If all attempts fail then I would try alternative therapy, but I would not go to her course of treatment first.

She probably means well and has apologized for her comments as she stated that she did not know she was being interviewed.
Donnie Swayze accepted her apology but words can not be taken back after spoken. Some days it is hard to believe that Patrick is physically not here, but in my heart I know that he is watching over all of us. I am not just a nurse but a cancer survivor.My pain was very bad butI can not imagine what Patrick went through. I wish you the very best and hope that you continue with a positive course. My prayers will be with you and all that suffer CANCER.
Patrick was an advocate for continued research to iradicate this disease and hopefully we can carry on his mission. My heart goes out to Lisa and Donnie as well as the rest of the family.

scott -survivor wrote:

God Bless you ahhhchooo. Good luck. I wish you the best. You too Gail. I am 1 year 6 mos 15 day survivor of Pancreatic Cancer. Ive done something like 6 months or more of Chemo. I also did 5 weeks straight of radiation. Its definately not an easy fight. im lucky so far with my 3rd clean scan with special thanks to GOD and my surgeon. I was one of so very few that could have a whipple procedure. I didnt do anything experimental but if it comes back I will do Anything. Suzanne Somers should educate herself about this cancer before discussing it. But I couldnt see anyone taking her advice (I hope).

Wow, Scott. I am soooo happy for you. I am glad for all of us. I loved what Lynne Redgrave said about having breast cancer -- that she wanted to die laughing or in her sleep (she had a couple of others I can't remember, but it was very witty)-- but not of breast cancer. That was some years ago so I think she'll get her wish. I wish it for all of us.

It's not all bad. I am a better person for having had breast cancer. There are things in my life that simply would not be there without it, and they're so enriching.

I wonder if Suzanne Somers would be willing to share her initial pathology report. Was chemotherapy as we know it recommended? Or was she alluding to Tomoxifen, taken orally for estrogen positive cancers and often prescribed for some years following treament - and sometimes referred to as "chemotherapy." Some of her comments lead me to believe it's the latter. I believe radiation followed by Tomoxifen was the recommendation she received and she opted out on Tomoxifen. Secondly, her comments regarding how ill she was during radiation are unusual. I have never heard that. Fatigue, skin irritation maybe. Perhaps she did feel very ill, however I don't feel that is a common reaction. She is very melodramatic and it is unconsionable that she makes these claims regarding her wisdom in forgoing traditional treatment. I feel great sadness in that there are many impressionable women with entirely different circumstances that will follow her example and die as a consequence. I believe that, under a reputable doctor's supervision, traditional and complimentary treatment, as opposed to only alternative, are acceptable. I am a survivor and thankfully I educated myself prior to treament and I haven't regreted my decision to have chemotherapy (a systemic treament) and radiation (a local treatment)for a minute. Knowledge is power and so is chosing qualified and informed sources. Not a celebrity out to profit from TV appearances and book sales.

Heather I do know people who sailed through chemotherapy (I'm one of them), and I do know people who were made pretty sick by radiation.

Nevertheless I think Somers is WAY out of line. It's one thing to tell your own story and quite another to use your celebrity status (with no medical knowledge to back it up) to influence other people's treatment choices.

What she said what about Patrick Swayze was unconscionable as well, even if she did apologize afterwards.