Friday, September 18, 2009

Suzanne Somers Says Patrick Swayze Was Killed By Chemo


It doesn't take long for someone to come out of the woodwork and look a little kooky after a celebrity death. The problem is that when it is another celebrity then other people believe what they say and then have questions about what they are doing to themselves and might stop based on the ramblings of an infomercial queen.

Suzanne Somers was in Toronto for the film festival and she was asked about Patrick Swayze's death.

"They took a beautiful man and put poison in his body. Why couldn't they have built him up nutritionally and gotten rid of the toxins? . . . I hate to be this controversial . . . but I have to speak out."

She also has to speak out because she has a book about cancer coming out next month and so a little controversy will probably help those book sales. Suzanne is a cancer survivor so she can definitely talk about her own cancer fight and I also know that everyone can make their own decision about what they want to do to fight the cancer in their body. I don;t even know what she is talking about here. Chemo is a poison and the idea is that it kills the cancer before it kills you. I don't understand what she means about getting rid of toxins. Does she think people should do a GOOP cleanse if they get cancer? Patrick had one of the most aggressive types of cancer. To me what Suzanne is advocating is that he should not have done any chemo which just seems wrong. Just this week I found out that one of my friends is cancer free after being diagnosed last year with cervical cancer. She lost all her hair and suffered through chemo but her cancer is gone and hopefully she will be healthy enough to spend the next fifty years with her husband and children. I don't think I would be sitting here saying the same thing if she had decided to forego chemo and follow Suzanne's advice.

45 comments:

MISCH said...

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS FRIENDS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS TREATMENT....IT'S A CHOICE EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE FOR THEMSELVES...WITH THEIR FAMILY AND NO ONE ELSE...
I HATE THIS....WHY COULDN'T SHE KEEP IT TO HERSELF...
HIS WIFE REALLY DOESN'T NEED TO READ THIS CRAP...

mialou said...

Why is she relevent again?

Anonymous said...

Bringing in the name of a man who has just died is a great way for her to get publicity.

To say that it killed him is irresponsible and horrifying to me.

Lisa (not original) said...

Book or no book, Suzanne is being irresponsible.

Little Miss Smoke and Mirrors said...

Suzanne needs to STFU. Pancreatic cancer is an entirely different cancer than the one she had, and she has NO qualifications to prescribe treatment or give medical advice. That fact of the matter is, if Patrick Swayze hadn't used chemo, he would have been gone months ago.

It's utterly reprehensible to me that she's using his illness and demise to promote her book.

Babs said...

Some types of cancer respond better to chemo and radiation than others. Pancreatic cancer is a very difficult type to deal with, and leaves very few survivors. I work with several women who are breast cancer survivors, and if it weren't for the "poison" they would not be among us today.

As shazzba says, it is ultimately up to the patient and family, and everyone else, particularly those in the "Hollywood I-Think-I-Am-An-Expert-On-Everything-Scientific" Community, should STFU.

Virginia Lee said...

I was lucky that I didn't have to have chemo for uterine cancer, but if they'd told me I needed it? I would have given it a go. Or not. I don't know. But I sure as heck would NOT have been listening to the likes of Ms. Somers for advice. I really hope people facing this decision don't buy into this. She may be a survivor, but she is not a medical professional. Nor is she an expert on every type of cancer.

What an ass.

von said...

Irresponsible, insensitive and opportunistic. Stupid woman.

Whenever I hear her name now, I think of this article from Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/id/200025

The things she does to her body are incredible.

ItsJustMe said...

Oh, my gosh. That is so unbelievably insensitive and opportunistic. Let the man rest in peace, please!

Shame on you, Suzanne.

Linnea said...

I hope this makes people NOT buy her book.

JudyPatooty said...

Grrrrr! This !@#*&$ woman should just STFU! She is dangerously stupid because there are plenty of idiots who will listen to what she has to say.

My mother passed away last January after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year. Yes, chemo was very hard on her, but she always believed it was worth it because it gave her a precious few more months of life.

whole lotto luv said...

Her thighmaster probably cures paralysis, too. She is the definition of ditzy blonde.

Dianne P said...

In most cases, pancreatic cancer, UNLIKE BREAST CANCER YOU STUPID FUCKING BITCH SUZANNE SOMERS, is inoperable. Furthermore, it nearly always metastasizes before it is found.

Those are two big differences, so STFU.

Carrie L. said...

Completely insensitive and shortsighted. What works for one does not always work for everyone; all you can do is decide what is best for you and go with it. Patrick put up a very strong fight, and the last thing his family & friends need to hear is the ramblings of some woman trying to make herself relevant so she can make some money.

Dianne P said...

And where the fuck is Kanye when you need him?

Anonymous said...

@Dianne P - LMAO!!!

RocketQueen said...

@Dianne P - awesome comment. That's going into regular rotation, in fact, anytime anyone should shut up.

To be fair, I can't see where she said chemo killed him, and she has a right to her own beliefs.

However, Shazzba is right that it's incredibly insensitive considering his wife is probably wondering all sorts of things right now.

Anonymous said...

Since none of you seem to have read any of her books, telling her to STFU is harsh. Her most recent book was a series of interviews with doctors who approach medicine differently - longevity, biodentical hormones, non-processed food, preventive rather than reactive medicine. She never says she is an expert or a doctor but she had done a considerable amount of research and regularly attends medical seminars.

I won't go into details but it is a very interesting read with many excellent points made. I think that in 10 years or so, you'll she that she was ahead of the curve.

strawberrygirl said...

Uhhh I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for chemo he would have died a lot sooner. She should be ashamed of herself for speaking like this.

Momster said...

I had a dear uncle pass away from pancreatic cancer. He died within 2-3 months of his diagnosis. The fact that Swayze lived more than 18months of diagnosis is a testament to his treatment and his will to live.

Sometimes you have more choices when it comes to treatment for cancer. My father just finished radiation for stomach cancer so I know. But Somers overstepped her boundaries and sounds like an insensitive idiot.

Dianne P said...

As it happens, I believe strongly in holistic and integrative medicine. It is just that...In a case like Suzanne Somers', she had breast cancer that was localized. Chemotherapy is recommended for some patients with localized breast cancer based on the grade of the tumor (ie, its aggressiveness) as a preemptive measure, in case there are any micro-metastases hanging around. It sounds as though she educated herself on the possible risks of not having chemotherapy and chose to do things her way. I can totally understand why she chose that path; in fact, I know other people who have made similar decisions and are doing OK. I'm glad she is doing fine and I wish her many more years of health.

By the way, a recent study suggested that many women with breast cancer are being "over-treated," so yes, she might be ahead of her time when it comes to BC.

Patrick basically had a choice between living for 4 or 5 months with an extremely painful and deadly form of cancer or undergoing chemotherapy in an effort to extend his life for a year or so. He chose the latter.

They are two very different cancers--you really can't compare them.

bits of moxy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mialou said...

She's an "actress" -- and that's stretching it. She hardly qualifies to make medical recommendations for other people. For herself, her family, sure. That's what we all do. But she is completely out of line to say imply - and make no mistake, there is the implication there -- that conventional medical practices led to his death. First of all, the cancer killed him, not the chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is secondary and it wouldn't have been in his body if he didn't have cancer. Granted it is a poison, but that's what it does -- kills things. But pancreatic cancer, as others have said, is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, let alone cure.

In conclusion, she's a jackass and needs to shut up. Stupid cow.

lanasyogamama said...

Someone remind me, what university did Suzzane get her medical degree from?

bramblewitch said...

Well people, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for chemo. It totally sucked and I hated every minute of it, but I needed it. I am a lifetime vegetarian and a great believer in holistic treatment (when it is advisable). I believe in using every tool available to fight cancer and that is what I have, and will continue to do. Can't speak for anyone else.

Elle Kaye said...

Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one and they all stink. Besides, what do we care what these actors think anyway? Suzanne is just looking for attention because no one has been knocking on her door.

That being said, if she really wants to make a difference, then she should be preaching prevention to a demographic a bit younger than the dead.

sunnyside1213 said...

So, is she saying she didn't have chemo? Chemo was the only thing that kept my Mother alive long enough to say goodby to her children and grandchildren.

Clanger said...

Suzanne Somers STFU. PLEASE. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer. So I am sure Patrick and his family probably wanted to try every treatment posible to try and beat the odds. CHemo is a personal choice, so if he chose it - Suzanne Somers needs to STFU, because it was NOT her choice to make!

Unknown said...

Suzanne obviously is not totally aware of the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer. Regardless of whether you decide to have chemo or not, it is nearly 100% fatal, in a very short time, unless caught very early, which is extremely rare for pancreatic cancer. Getting rid of the toxins in your body is not going to cure this cancer, or very many other cancers.

Chemo is a poison, but without its use, most people who have survived lymphomas would be dead, since chemo is the main treatment for that type of cancer. Chemo may be a poison, but it undoubtedly saves lives.

k said...

My friend believed that crap she is peddling - she quit chemo after one treatment. Ate raw foods, went vegetarian.

Her 8 year old daughter just 'celebrated' her first mother's day with no mom. So, you know, Suzanne Somers can STFU. And I never say that. But I'm happy to make an exception.

FrenchGirl said...

what a stupid idiot! all i say

k said...

To be clear, my friend didn't read Suzanne Somers specifically, it was a lot of other things. But I hear this stuff and it makes me mad all over again.

Pookie said...

she just jumped the shark and took up residence in doucheachussetts.

idiot.

WBotW said...

I don't blame you for being angry k. This sort of uninformed crap that ends up killing people makes me pretty damned angry too. I'm sorry about your friend.

Merlin D. Bear said...

One quick point to make, and one that Ms Somers tends to gloss over since it denigrates her book - She *also* did chemo in addition to her nutrition based therapy.
She needs to remember that.
And until she can present a Dr's license she didn't pull from a Cracker Jack box, she well and truly needs to STFU.

Ms Cool said...

My grandfather had pancreatic cancer and died within a month of diagnosis. He didn't have chemo, either. So my opinion, which is just as qualified as hers apparently, is that chemo prolonged Patrick's life.

I am not against alternative therapies but I have an inkling that we'll hear about her dying from some weird cancer some day, caused by the hormones she is injecting and rubbing into her body daily.

Judi said...

LOL, Pookie.
So without knowing details of Patrick's case, Suzanne Somers - of all people - passes judgment. Stupid b!tch. I agree with Little Miss. She needs to STFU. Done with her.

farmgirl said...

I happen to agree with Suzanne and I know I am in a tiny minority.
After watching my father-in-law suffer through years of chemo and almost no decent quality of life, we all agreed it would have been more humane to forego traditional treatments and pursue making his time as healthy and wonderful as possible. She is right that we do not make informed choices when treating our illnesses. I do not know what else she said on the subject, but I cannot argue with someone who says we need to look in other places to see if we can solve the cancer problem.

Wil said...

No Suzanne .. you dizzy twat [Second favorite curse word..] .. Patrick died because he had one of the most aggressive, least survivable forms of cancer currently known to medical science.

Fuck! I hate stupid people .. and Suzanne just graduated to the top of my list of "Ignore whatever this asswipe says" .. I have no explanation why she was not on there before .. except I think I forgot she even existed.

Blondie1001 said...

At 24 I went through chemo and radiation and have no doubt it saved my life-as I'm about to celebrate my 30th 6 years later. I do believe that POST-chemo there needs to be better nutrition and taking care of oneself, but as far as up to that point-well, that's a personal decision and I think it's ridiculous that she's advocating against it that hard.

bionic bunny! said...

i think the assininity of the thing is that she's using a lovely man's death to promote her damn book.

i had to stop reading another site i used to frequent after the death of another commenter (pajiba.com, alabama pink), who did everything she could to stay alive for her 3(?) year old son. she became the heart of the site, and for me, the heart stopped beating when all treatments failed.
and believe me, ms. pink could have kicked suzanne somers' ass right up to the end.
chew on that awhile, suzanne, you bitch.

ardleighstreet said...

What an opportunistic BITCH. Like Patrick's family needs to hear this shit from this dipwit.

Unknown said...

Weird as it may sound she may be right. My father had liver cancer (he was an alcoholic) and he managed to live for three years. How I don't know, because it's usually pretty fatal and people who are diagnosed with this go fairly soon (as far as I know).

One day he broke his finger while helping his brother change a tire and he went to the hospital. When the doctor asked him if he had anything else wrong with him (my dad was a shell of the man he was) my dad told him about the cancer. The doctor was amazed he was still alive and then he said he had to get chemo right away.

My dad went, and they gave him a massive overdose of the stuff. So much so that he was bed-ridden for days, his mouth was scorched and when he went to take a shower, a huge chunk of hair fell out in one massive clump.

He died three weeks later.

My girlfriend's father was diagnosed with cancer this summer and they almost killed him as well with it.

I'm not a medical expert by any means, but it makes you wonder sometimes what the hell goes on when you take medication or go to therapy. It could be very well this is what killed him, and of course it may not have anything to do with it.

But after those two experiences, I really wonder sometimes myself if the "cure" is actually worth it. :(

Judi said...

There's not a thing SS is spouting that isn't already known. It's been around for a long time. The point here is that she should NOT have opened her mouth at all. Inappropriate and opportunistic, as mentioned above. Any $ she makes from this is, to me, blood money.

tammy said...

Hey Sean! I guess the Radiation Suzanne took was ahead of its curve to. She did the lumpectomy and radiation....then alternative therapy. Honestly what is left to do? I am a nurse and a cancer suvior. I will have my 10 year mark this year on Dec 9, 2009. I had Hodgkins Lymphoma stage 2. I took the poision chemo! 4 of them
Velban,Adromycin,belvan, Decadron (Decadron is accutally is a steroid but is was infused with on the chemos) I had to work during all of this. (Parents are dead) but I was given wonder anti nausea meds via IV before each treatment. AND Rx of 12 pills that 280.00 that were well worth it and when my insurance would not pay for it.. the big EVIL PHARMA reps gave me all that I needed. I guess I am just one of the poor bastards that was just lucky. Suzanne is just wanting to save us from EVIL Doctors and BIG PHARMA.....Not sell any book or her products on her website. Her food line is so affordable....brownie mix is only 7.50!!! wow sign me up so I can detox my body. She even sells natural sweetners, I bet It is as natural as the Botox in her 64 year old face!

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