This week, the actor appeared on "20/20" in an interview with Barbara Walters during his first television appearance since he was diagnosed with the often deadly disease last March. He told his host that according to statistics, he might have not more than two years left to live, in spite of the fact that doctors usually say this kind of cancer is expected to be fatal within six months. He blamed his condition on his smoking habit.

 

Abbe Raven, A&E's president and CEO, made an announcement in which he explains the fact that pneumonia may appear as a result of the chemotherapy treatments Swayze has been receiving. He said that chemotherapy can affect the immune system therefore eventual illnesses are a part of that.

 

The actor was going to appear at the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles to talk about his new show, "The Beast," scheduled to air on the 15th of January. He began filming the new drama last July, in which he interpreted an FBI veteran who plays by his own set of rules.

 

The show's executive producer, John Romano, said that Swayze missed a single day of shooting, and creator William Rotko said that he behaved so normally that the cast and crew often forgot that he was even sick.

 

The actor will remain in the hospital for a few days for observation, and he is soon expected to be back on his feet again. Patrick Swayze did not forget to thank everybody for the support he was given throughout his struggle.