Jan 6, 2009 10:30 am US/Eastern
Swayze Acts In New TV Series While Battling Cancer
NEW YORK (AP) ―
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Actor Patrick Swayze accepts the Independent Career Achievement Award at the Video Software Dealers Association's award show at the organization's annual home video convention at the Bellagio on July 27, 2005 in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Patrick Swayze says his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer put him "through hell" while he pushed ahead on his new TV series.
"I've never been one to run from a challenge," Swayze tells ABC's Barbara Walters in an exclusive interview.
But the 56-year-old actor owns up to his fear: "Yeah, I'm scared. Yeah, I'm angry. Yeah, I'm (asking), 'Why me?'"
Swayze's new A&E police drama, "The Beast," which premieres next week, meant grueling 12-hour workdays, with chemotherapy sessions on the weekends. He rejected painkilling drugs that would have taken the edge off his performance. In five months, he missed just a day and a half at work.
"You can bet that I'm going through hell," Swayze says. "And I've only seen the beginning of it."
Although most patients with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer face grim prospects, Swayze isn't buying into it: "Watch me! You watch what I pull off!"
"Barbara Walters Special — Patrick Swayze: The Truth" will air Wednesday (10 p.m. EST).
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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