Jeff Bridges recently fought for his life while simultaneously battling cancer and COVID-19.
And to make matters worse, he had to undergo chemotherapy while the coronavirus ravaged his immune system.
The Crazy Heart singer, 72, told E! News that “the chemo wipes out your immune system, and when COVID hit me, I had nothing to fight it,” before acknowledging, “I was just really at death’s door a couple of times there.”. ”.
The Academy Award-winning actor revealed that he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2020. Seniors like Bridges are more likely to die from NHL than younger people, who typically survive the condition for at least five years after diagnosis.
Another factor that affects a person’s outlook is the stage and spread of the cancer.
Prior to the availability of vaccines and boosters in early 2021, the renowned actor tested positive for COVID-19 despite the fact that his doctors had initially reported that his chemotherapy treatments were effective.
Bridges’ health deteriorated to the point where he needed to stay in the hospital for more than four months.
His mind was constantly racing over whether he would ever be able to return to work or walk his 36-year-old daughter Haley down the aisle at her wedding.
When things got worse, Jeff recalled the doctors telling him, “Jeff, you gotta fight.”. I don’t know what they were talking about. “Man, I’m in surrender mode here,” I noticed. “My family, an excellent medical team, and an excellent team of trainers all contributed to my recovery.
The Big Lebowski actor claimed on his blog in September 2021 that his experience with cancer and its treatments were “a piece of cake” in comparison to contracting the coronavirus.
Bridges has three daughters, three grandchildren, and his wife Susan Geston of 45 years for which he has much to live for. He has since changed his focus to promoting awareness and maintaining good health by sharing his motivating journey after receiving a full COVID-19 vaccination.
The musician and actor have collaborated with AstraZeneca since the campaign’s inception to encourage immunocompromised people to boost their antibodies in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.
Despite efforts made by a significant portion of the world, Bridges claims that people with compromised immune systems still can’t get rid of COVID-19.
Bridged said, “While the option to up my antibodies to protect me from COVID-19 wasn’t around when I was going through cancer treatment, it is now.”. “I quickly raised my antibody levels. I now feel more assured about resuming my favorite activities. ”.
As part of his involvement with the Up The Antibodies campaign, the American Heart actor shared his story in a brand-new national PSA that has just been released.
The footage starts off with Bridges strolling through a field while carrying an acoustic guitar.
He acknowledges that he missed a lot of things while he was away—you know, for things like chemotherapy for cancer or convalescence. ’.
He gets personal and reflective, saying, “I certainly missed my family, being with them,” while looking up at the sky. My friends and I missing making movies together.
He says, “I love being alive, man,” and starts strumming the guitar as he closes his eyes and faces the sky once more. Nearly everything I owned was gone. Thankfully, the worst has not yet happened despite the complete destruction of my immune system. In advance of the COVID outbreak, you can raise your antibody levels.
Because when your antibodies are up, well, you can get back to what you love, Bridges continues the video by turning toward the camera. “with a broad grin.
Another encouraging development is that Bridges’ illness is still in remission and that he did walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
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