Oprah Fridays Live: Patrick Swayze's Widow Lisa Niemi - Her First Interview

that will be a wonderful show....I am looking forward to hearing about the joy...he experienced and the love...he shared with his family...

blessings to Patrick, and his loved ones...

Dear Oprah,

I am looking forward in watching this show with Lisa Nieme. I would like to hear what she went through with the late Patrick Swayze and what she's doing for herself and her family in moving on with their lives. I had recently lost my mother as well with pancreatic cancer, yesterday was actually her 3rd month death anniversary. My mother was diagnosed in May 2007 and the family was told she only had 3 months to live. My family and I had no choice but to make sure she would live longer, we researched and hunted for herbal medicines or anything that will help her feel a little better and get her strength back.We did all that we could so my mom could just live another day longer. She fought and made it for 2 and plus years.Last year we learned that her cancer spread in her bones and this year it was pretty much in her abdonimal wall and was regressing slowly. In those two years, we pretty much were prepared for anything that could happen. I miss my mom.

Tears run from my eye's just watching the Promo -w- Patric & Lisa,there Love for each other truley touching,to me it's the Real Man on the white horse who comes & rescues the maiden & not the fairytail wedding & allot of money spent,it's about the real LOVE for each other through the good & bad times that matters,Patric is the Real Man on the horse & Lisa the maiden,lisa you are in my thoughts & prayers,HUG....

Lisa and Patrick had the epitome of the term 'love story'. With a love that spanned through decades, they showed us all what a true relationship is about. My heart breaks when I think of Lisa without her soul mate by her side but I hope she believes as I do that he is watching and smiling on her and will be waiting when she is able to join him in the next chapter of their lives.

I just met Lisa Niemi last week while in LA attending a benefit for pancreatic cancer. I was moved by her courage to bravely speak in front of such a large group and I believe everyone in the room felt grateful she was able to share her emotional experience. I have been writing to the Oprah Show frequently requesting that pancreatic cancer be featured again since Patrick Swayze's death since there is so much more to learn about this disease and how it relates to diabetes. Due to those who have been touched by this disease, either personally or through loved ones, they have dedicated their experience by helping others, sharing their stories and getting involved to help find a cure for this deadly disease. I am humbled to be included in this special group.

I also lost my husband to Pancreatic Cancer. He only lived 6 weeks after his diagnosis. We shared so much and I tell people nothing was left unsaid. I did see Lisa on the Womens Conference this week. I feel her pain and thoughts of regret. Looking forward to the show, even though I know it will bring back the heartache. I was married to Russ for 33 years. Very similar to Patrick and Lisa. I would say to Lisa. The tears still come after 22 months. I can really rejoice in the wonderful life we had together.

I will be in the audience tomorrow for this show, and I am excited to be able to hear from Lisa Niemi. I think the courage needed by cancer victims and their families is awe-inspiring. Most people, including myself, are too quick to complain. One of my best friends has a 25 year old daughter, Carrie, combatting precursor b-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma since July of 2007. As this cancer is very difficult to treat, she has undergone intense chemo, radiation, proton therapy, hyper-CVAD and antibody treatment. She has reached remission status 4 times only to relapse. Many of her vital organs are compromised (right now her kidneys are functioning at 50%), but she kept going through the pain, seizures, nausea, and infections to reach a 5th remission last August right before her sister's wedding. Did I mention that she waterskis on a ski team in the summer!! She does not quit, and I know how her family has supported her choices just like Lisa Niemi supported her husband, but also how difficult that must be to watch someone you love suffer with the disease and with the treaments. The battle these people wage every day is what should inspire us in our everyday lives. Thank you Lisa, Patrick, Carrie and her family for being role models for the rest of us.

It has been 3 years since I too lost my husband to pancreatic cancer. He was the love of my life. We were married for 25 years, we were highschool sweethearts. Nothing can prepare you for such a loss. When he was diagnosed they told him he had 6 months maybe a year, it was exactly 6 months. In those 6 months I can say that it was the most loving, caring, closes time we ever had in our marriage. Nothing was left unsaid I'm grateful that we were able to talk about everything prepare our children somewhat for what was about to happen. Sometimes I wonder if you should know of what's coming, but I can say that our time together was full and complete. He was able to talk to our children about many things that may have never been said. He was able to leave letters for our kids and family. These were very difficult things to prepare for I felt so sad and scared but I could only imagine of how he felt having to leave his family. So you only get stronger and you find yourself being able to do things you never thought you could. When the time came you think ok I can do this, at first you seem ok but as the time passes the reality starts to set in , the finality of it all. The physical,emotional pain you feel is unreal. In my case I also had to support and care for our children 13 and 18 and help them through their pain and grief as well. The first year our family was in shock and the real grieving really started in the second. Now that 3 years has passed its easier you learn how to live again, work hard, push so you can move forward and find peace and grace again. The special moments in your kids lives that he's not there for you know how proud he would be. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him, I do beleive that we will meet again and the love story will begin all over again. I have hope for you Lisa Niemi and I say to you hold on to your love for Patrick you will meet again and your love story will also begin all over again.

The true depth of the love between Patrick and Lisa is reflected in the depth of Lisa's grief. Without the intense love Lisa would not be feeling the intense grief.

I also lost my best friend, my husband, only 18 months ago, due to kidney failure. He was the love of my life. He was only 47 years old. Unfortunatly, I know the many things Lisa Niemi is feeling, I never thought I would be a widow at 46, and I thank God for our son everyday. He is now 9yrs old and my "rock".

I am looking forward to watching the show, it is somewhat comforting to know there are others who deal with the painful grief of loosing a spouse who was ill.

I hope Lisa and all who have lost find comfort thru hope and faith. I truly belive we will see them again.

Oprah please quit interrupting your guests mid-sentence! Lisa was about to say something several times that I really wanted to hear and Oprah would cut her off to impart Oprah's thoughts. It was very frustrating and somtimes you need to get over yourself.

My husband of 31 years died from pancreatic cancer in May 2009 - he lived a few days shy of 8 months after being diagnosed. I remember he and I watching Patrick Swayze's inerview with Barbara Walters last year and being some what disappointed by it. In our opinion Patrick came across as being so angry and bitter and for me, one of the sweetest things for me and our daughters was that my husband never got angry and never questioned why this cancer happened to him. One day he said, why not me? My husband was a Christian and that is the major reason why we were able to face his cancer and ultimately his death. Our daughters and I were holding his hands when his spirit left his body and that is a feeling that I shall never forget. Our pastor had prayed just the day before that his prayer was my husband would hold our hands while he was on this earth and grab hold of God's hand when it was time for him to leave this earth - and that is exactly what happened. I'm sorry Lisa didn't get to experience this as we did - it was awesome.

Dear Oprah,

As I sit here watching Niemi speak of her husband my heart wrenches for her. I lost my 38-year-old husband 3 years to ago to cancer and her intimate details of their life, love and his death bring all of those raw emotions to the surface. Though my time with my husband was not as long as her time with Patrick she is speaking my mind and heart with all that she says. It both comforts me and makes me sad to know that she feels what I have felt. I wish I could tell her it gets easier and begins to make sense, but those of us that are lucky enough to find our one true love and soul mate continue to harbor a gaping hole within our chest when they are taken.

Thank you for sharing this very personal journey.

Sincerely,

Cathleen

I was so disappointed and really embarrassed by Oprah's interview with Lisa Niemi. Oprah kept interupting her and talking over her and, I felt, disrespecting her by not allowing her to express the obviously raw emotions she was feeling. It was truly painful to watch Oprah steamroll over Lisa and her feelings. Such a disappointment.

AMEN! Well said!