Swayze comes through

2009-01-06 20:31

New York - Patrick Swayze says his year-long 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 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 on Wednesday.

- AP