Cancer Stricken Patrick Swayze Attends Lakers Game (PHOTOS)

"Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze, 55, made his first public appearance since announcing in March he is battling pancreatic cancer.

Swayze took time off from his grueling chemotherapy regimen to take in Friday night's NBA playoff game in Los Angeles between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Sitting with his wife of 32 years, Lisa Niemi, Swayze watched as the Lakers won in a blowout, 101-71.

Although Swayze's usually ripped physique seems somewhat shrunken, he appears to be holding his own against the usually aggressive cancer that often kills within weeks.

Keep reading or scroll for pictures

Comments

[novodia9]

I've loved patrick swayze since he was an "Outsider" before he was a "Dirty Dancer". I had to leave a positive comment for him, but I couldn't read the article. I have refused to read anything about his illness, because that would be acknowledging it.

[pilgrim7]

Saddens me, too. I had forgotten I had developed my fondness for Swayze from his role in "The Outsiders," one of my oldest son's favorite movies of all time as well as mine. He watched that movie over and over. Mr. Swayze and his family will be in my prayers.

[w&cheneysuck]

Red Dawn was one of my favorites!

[Agentlady007]

OH, I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF THE MOVIE THAT HE SOARED IN. He played the protective older brother. Very good performance. His best I think. Robert Reiner directed these boys, and made them all stars. I think they learned a lot from his down to Earth classic style.

[vulcan]

Unfortunately in the world we live in there will be someone taking pictures of him and I think this post was done tastefully so we should all just wish him well and hope he recovers

[applehead]

this is the first time in my life i'm glad the lakers won. God bless you, Patrick. Get well soon.

sincerely,
robert crabtree, also age 55 (womb mates forever)

[JohnnieP]

To Patrick Swayze: Good luck and God Bless.

[Josia]

Thank you for posting. Our thoughts are probably doing him a lot of good - so let's keep thinking about him!! Our thoughts are everything.

[drakke]

Yes, i feel that is exactly correct. Best wishes to a fellow Leo Dragon !!!

[bigfated]

Imagine how painful it must be to not only be facing the impending tragedy this disease brings....­and having your family watching as your condition deteriorat­es....and yet to be followed by so-called journalists so desperate for a photo or a story that he is denied the opportunity to just live out his life with his loved ones and we aren't peeking in. I know that I can get along quite well without making his life even more of a fishbowl..­.....and still care deeply inside how horrible this must all be for him and those closest to him... Give the guy a break. Trade in the chance for a photo for a quiet prayer for them. I wonder if the photographer who felt it was okay to film him at the game looked anywhere near as dignified as Mr. Swayze?

[Nolewoman]

Well said.

[SunnyDay]

Thank You for saying what so many feel.

[robertangel30]

Indeed, it really is disgusting what passes for journalism these days. I am very disappointed that Huggington Post would even permit this.

[w&cheneysuck]

Please leave this man alone. He's going through enough. Do you have to add to his pain?

[DanielRomens]

Gawking at a man fighting for his life. Pretty classy Huffpost. Hope the ad space brings in a lot of money for you.

[Sardonica]

Patrick Swayze is one of those guys that, if he shows up enexpectedly in a movie you're watching, it's always a good surprise. I just loved him in To Wong Foo... And the SNL Chippendales audition with Chris Farley. lol I wish him all the love, strength and luck in the world.

[LJMinOKC]

Patrick Swayze is used to having his picture taken at events ... he would probably feel "neglected" if that were not the case! We all wish him well during his battle with this horrific thing. He is an awesome actor (and superb dancer) and has given us so much joy through his talents. God speed!

[InstantDogma]

Leave the poor man alone you bastards.
Steve

[jupitor]

InstantDogma, It probally made him feel good, people cared enough to take his picture! This is in fine taste, and a job Welll done. It gives us a chance to tell him how much we care, and our good wish's and prayers! It always does good for the mental health and soul of a person who is fighting and terrible desease! Let him know our prayers are with him and always will be . He is a fine actor and I hope he does see all our well wish's here on this Post! Patrick, We will fight for you through our thought and prayers, and may God be with you in your fight against this! Hang tough there Patrick!

[InstantDogma]

Ironically enough, not a single person that I have known undergoing treatment for cancer has wanted to have their picture taken. Sadly our parasitic culture hasn't quite figured out what dignity is. Keep feeding folks, it's fun watching somone famous die.
Steve

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

This is awesome. Cancer does not have to be a death sentence. 75% of the fight is positivity, mental toughness, desire, will to live. Looks like he has all that in spades. Go, Patrick, go!

[nunzia]

RedWhite - it's unfair to say that because implicit in that statement is that one who diesof cancer dioesn't have the right mental attitude.

[jneems]

And we need to stop looking at death (which we all face) as failure. One doesn't fight a disease and then "fail" because one doesn't get well. Otherwise, we are all "failures" on our deathbeds. I wish the best for Patrick. I hope he got to enjoy the ballgame despite the friggin' photographers.

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

A good deal of them don't, sorry to say. One of my best friends didn't fight. He curled up into depression and let go. It took him quick. I still love him, I don't fault him but if he had a more positive, stringer attitude, who knows. Though it'd be nice to live in a world where everyone who has cancer has the right mental attitude, it's not always the case. And even though "right" is relative, you need to realize that sometimes reality is tough to face.

Also, more and more studies reveal that cancer cells are in everyone - even you - and it's behavior, environment and yes, mental attitude (lack of stress) that manifests the disease.

[Ramirez]

Good on him. I hope he fights it off and lives to 100.

[theidaexpress]

"Brave face"? I wonder sometimes if the writers of these type of posts even have a clue as to what it is like to be that ill. Can't a man go enjoy a basketball game without the media overanalyzing his day out?
http://www.theidaexpress.com

[cufford]

That's the price you pay when you decide to make a career of being a performer, and end up being a movie star or whatever. Much of your privacy goes out the window, your ability to roam in public places un-noticed, difficult. It's a choice he made and has known for years that he has to live with. That's the nature of the career path he chose.

[chacatre]

Patrick appears unfazed by the photogs and intent on the game. Good for him. We're all dying a little bit every day and he appears to be doing it with grace. Best wishes for all of us to travel through life with dignity and character.

[bmermaid]

He looks great. He looks courageous. And he still looks very sexy.
Life is NOT about how you die. It's how you live.

[robcat2075]

Really. Most 55 year-olds dont' look that good.

But i guess the curse of having been a handsome actor is that people will forever gauge you by your looks.

[HighPlainsJoker]

I put him in a class with my father and my brother who both died of cancer, and both looked far worse in the days before their passing, and they did not hide themselves from their community. What has happened to them and PS is not of their making. Its life. He is not hiding, he is still living, and still fighting, and we have proof. May he conquer this sickness, but whatever happens, let him live all he can. If they have to wheel him onto the court and prop his head up, its living. You know what he is thinking? "Go Lakers". Me, I think "go Patrick".