We refused to comment on the National Enquirer's shocking report regarding Patrick Swayze yesterday because – not only do we take everything that the tabloid claims with a grain of salt – we just couldn’t bring ourselves to contemplate the possibility of the heartbreakingly devestating news. Sadly, Swayze’s rep has confirmed our worst fears: the 55-year-old actor has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Luckily, Swayze’s rep is disputing the Enquirer’s grim prognosis, which implied the actor only had five weeks to live, reports Reuters. Publicist Annett Wolf released a statement from his physician, Dr. George Fisher, that said: "Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment. All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."

Wolf also added that the cancer has not spread, and Swayze is currently undergoing chemotherapy but not radiation. She says her client’s daily routine has not changed, and he will continue to work on upcoming projects, reports People magazine.

Whatever his prognosis, we wish Swayze the best of luck. No other actor has taught us how to take out our opponents with a roundhouse to their kneecap (Road House), how to turn pottery into an erotic experience (Ghost), or how to avoid spaghetti arms (Dirty Dancing). We’d carry a watermelon for him any day.

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