HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Patrick Swayze is firing back at a tabloid cover story that suggests he's near death.
Swayze, who is battling pancreatic cancer, appears gaunt alongside the words "the end" in the latest issue of the National Enquirer. However, the 56-year-old actor told People on Wednesday that he considers himself "one of the lucky ones."
"It's amazing to me that the tabloids such as the National Enquirer print such negative stories about me and my health when there are so many positive things going on in my life right now," Swayze said in a statement. "I've started a new chemotherapy and, once again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment.
"There is a brand new, 12-week-old, Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Kumasai in my life who is gorgeous and already showing that he will be one special dog.
"I am starting work on my new book, in addition to enjoying the fantastic response from everyone on my A&E series 'The Beast.'
"I hope in the future, the press will think twice about printing inaccuracies and painting an unpleasant picture when I have so much to be thankful for at this time."
Swayze was hospitalized in January with a case of pneumonia. In an interview with ABC's Barbara Walters that aired just prior to his hospitalization, the "Ghost" star admitted that he's been "going through hell" since being diagnosed with the disease in January 2008.
"There's a lot of fear here," he said. "There's a lot of stuff going on. Yeah, I'm scared. Yeah, I'm angry. Yeah, I'm [asking] why me. Yeah, I'm all this stuff."
Swayze told Walters that "the outpouring of love" from fans all across the world "has constantly astounded" him. The Texas native also said he thinks more about the afterlife now.
"I don't know what's on the other side," he told Walters. "It tests everything I believe in … that here is something unique in all of us that does not, does not die."
"I'm trying to shut up and let my angels speak to me and, and tell me what I'm supposed to do," he added.
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