Jeff Bridges was in combat or flight mode shortly after receiving a prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020.
Bridges, 74, who portrays a former CIA operative in “The Outdated Man,” was identified with the type of blood most cancers after a physician’s check-up revealed he had a big abdomen tumor.
Months earlier than, the acclaimed actor had filmed intense combat scenes for season one of many FX collection the place he had been “smacked round and punched within the abdomen.”
“God, trying again on these, I actually winced as a result of I did not comprehend it on the time, however I had a 9 by 12 inch tumor in my abdomen — 9 by 12 inch! — whereas I am getting smacked round and punched within the abdomen and stuff,” Bridges advised Individuals journal. “Did not harm. There was no ache. However then I had this lengthy hiatus [from filming].”
JEFF BRIDGES VIEWS CANCER BATTLE THAT LEFT HIM ‘PRETTY CLOSE TO DYING’ AS ‘LEARNING EXPERIENCE’
Jeff Bridges struggled together with his non-Hodgkin Lymphoma prognosis. (Gilbert Flores)
Whereas he underwent chemotherapy and in addition contracted COVID in the course of the present’s hiatus, Bridges was left questioning if he was “even going to do a season 2” of this system.
JEFF BRIDGES SAYS HE HAD MASSIVE ‘9-INCH BY 12-INCH TUMOR’ WHILE FILMING THRILLER TV SHOW
“Whereas I used to be sick, I assumed I not solely would not return to ‘The Outdated Man,’ I assumed I’d simply kick the bucket. It bought right down to that,” he mentioned. “I bear in mind one physician mentioned, ‘You bought to combat, Jeff. You are not preventing.’
Jeff Bridges thought he “may simply kick the bucket” throughout his battle with most cancers. (Getty Photos)
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“Whereas I used to be sick, I assumed I not solely would not return to ‘The Outdated Man,’ I assumed I’d simply kick the bucket. It bought right down to that.”
“And I had no concept what he was speaking about. I used to be in give up mode, simply, ‘All people dies. This is likely to be me doing that.’ And out of that give up, like I say, all of this intense love surfaced, and perhaps that is what prompted me to outlive, I do not know. However I did not relate to the preventing factor, extra of a surrendering.”
Along with therapies, “The Massive Lebowski” star started intense bodily remedy and set little targets together with his therapist to assist him deal with the longer term. One aim: being wholesome sufficient to stroll his daughter Hayley down the aisle at her marriage ceremony.
Bridges and spouse Susan Geston have been married for 48 years. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photos)
“I did not understand how I might do this, however I mentioned, ‘Effectively, let’s practice. Let’s put that as our aim,'” he mentioned. “So we labored on that. And turned out, not solely did I stroll her down the aisle, however I bought to do the marriage dance along with her. Then I would rush to my desk and put my oxygen on!”
Bridges’ tumor decreased right down to the scale of a marble going into season two of “The Outdated Man,” and his oncologist is pleased with his progress.
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“I do not know the precise dimension of it,” Bridges mentioned. “I get MRIs and all that down the road, however my oncologist says, ‘You are trying good, man.’ And I get all my blood exams and every part and every part’s going actual properly.”
All through his “fascinating” well being journey, Bridges has realized a number of classes.
“The Massive Lebowski” actor mentioned “every part’s going actual properly” in terms of his well being now. (Getty Photos)
“Your whole methods for all times, how you’re employed — all of these get heightened,” he mentioned. “And love, that is the phrase that involves thoughts. To see how a lot I really like my household and my associates and the nurses and medical doctors that had been caring for me, and the way a lot love is coming at me.
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“So it simply exacerbated love, principally.”
