Actor Jeff Bridges faced a life-threatening battle with lymphoma and recently opened up about his experience.
Fox News reported that three years post-diagnosis, Bridges spoke about his harrowing experience with cancer and his current 'great' health status.
In October 2020, Jeff Bridges, known for his role in "The Big Lebowski," announced his diagnosis with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This revelation came during a critical time as he was filming for the TV series "The Old Man."
Initially, Bridges experienced common symptoms like itchy shins and night sweats, which he attributed to minor issues. However, these were early signs of lymphoma. He continued working, unaware of the serious nature of his condition.
It was during a routine exercise that he felt an unusual mass in his stomach, described as feeling like a bone. Despite this discovery, there was no immediate pain or concern, leading to a delay in his realization of the severity.
Reflecting on his symptoms, Bridges shared, "I'm hiking and feeling great. My shins really itch, and I think, ‘Oh, I just got, you know, dry skin.’ Then I had night sweats, but thought, ‘That’s just hot summer nights.’ It turns out those are lymphoma symptoms."
"I was doing those fight scenes for the first episode of ‘The Old Man’ and didn’t know that I had a 9-by-12-inch tumor in my body," Bridges said about his condition during the series' filming. The tumor's presence was unbeknownst to him despite the physicality involved.
The final round of chemotherapy seemed like a turning point for Bridges, but it was closely followed by another severe health challenge. He contracted COVID-19, which significantly worsened his situation.
His COVID-19 infection resulted in a critical five-week hospital stay, where his health was on a precarious edge. "Shortly after finding out that good news, I got a letter from the treatment center where I was getting my chemo, and they told me that there was a possibility that I had been exposed to COVID," he explained.
Bridges described his hospital experience during his fight with COVID-19 as being close to fatal. "I was very sick," he confessed, adding to the gravity of his situation.
"I was pretty close to dying," he told People magazine, reflecting on the dire circumstances he faced while battling both lymphoma and COVID-19 simultaneously.
The dual threats of lymphoma and COVID-19 brought Bridges to a critical juncture in his life. However, his resilience and the care he received helped him through this tough period.
Following his recovery, Bridges returned to an active lifestyle, taking up hiking again and feeling physically "great." This return to normalcy was a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome his health obstacles.
Attending the 49th Chaplin Award Gala at Lincoln Center, he discussed these experiences publicly. "It’s amazing the way the mind can forget all that stuff. I don’t think too much about the past," Bridges said, reflecting on his journey.
The ordeal, while challenging, also brought new realizations for Bridges. "As the Dude would say.. New S--- has come to light," he quipped, using a line from his famous role to encapsulate his journey through illness and recovery.
Bridges' story is not just about a celebrity battling a severe disease, but also about the universal human experience of facing mortality and emerging stronger.
His narrative serves as an inspiration for many, illustrating the importance of health awareness and the impact of a supportive medical team.
As he continues his life post-recovery, Bridges' experience underscores the fragility of health and the power of a fighting spirit in the face of adversity.
