Beyond the sparkling beginning of Hollywood’s captivating world, the lives of celebrities often bear the weight of personal struggles. One such personality is Jeff Bridges. Amid his renowned career, the 73-year-old faced a life-threatening tumor that left him unable to stand for a fleeting 45 seconds, luring him to surrender.
Alongside his battles, Bridges has shared touching moments of his wife’s champion spirit, that can arise from love and strength.
Jeff Bridges Overcomes Life-Threatening Tumor
Jeff Bridges has opened up about his ongoing experience with lymphoma, shedding light on his remarkable journey three years after being diagnosed with the disease.
In an interview with AARP, the Oscar winner recounted his initial encounter with the illness, describing an emotional moment during a pandemic break from filming his FX show The Old Man.
The actor recalled during his workout routine, he felt an unusual sensation in his stomach, prompting him to seek medical attention. The subsequent diagnosis revealed a sizable cancerous mass near his stomach.
However, in a recent update shared with the media outlet, Bridges conveyed a glimmer of hope that his tumor has greatly decreased to “the size of a marble.”
Having announced his battle with lymphoma in 2019 and providing intermittent updates, Bridges has displayed tremendous resilience throughout his health journey. Notably, he faced an additional setback when he contracted COVID-19 while undergoing treatment for his lymphoma.
The King Kong performer spoke candidly about the challenges he faced during his recovery, he explained,
“A lot of getting better was a matter of setting really small goals. At first, they’d say, How long can you stand? For a while, my record was 45 seconds before I’d collapse. And then they were saying: Oh, look, you’re standing for a minute! That’s so cool, now can you walk 5 feet?”
The Hollywood icon spent nearly five months in the hospital and received plasma therapy as part of his treatment. Throughout his difficult journey, Bridges also shared about his support system for strength and encouragement.
Jeff Bridges Appreciates His Wife As Absolute Champian
The constant support of a loved one can make an immense impact in a complex situation, and for Bridges, his wife has been his reliable pillar of strength throughout his journey.
During the filming when he found himself unaware of a daunting truth—a 9-by-12-inch tumor silently occupied his body. It was during this challenging period that Bridges discovered the power of rejection, a concept he determine from giving up. Iron Man Co-star shared,
“What I really felt at the time was love. Love was certainly magnified for me during this time. Not only from the people around me but also from the love in my own heart for them. So what I did was more like giving in to love, you know?”
Amidst hospitalization, Bridges attributes his remarkable recovery to the unwavering dedication of his wife, Susan Geston. He said,
“She fought to keep me off a ventilator. I didn’t want to be on it, and the doctors didn’t necessarily want that. But Sue was adamant.”
Bridges set an affecting goal to walk his youngest daughter, Haley Roselouise Bridges, down the aisle at her wedding. In August 2021, he achieved this cherished milestone, a testament to his resilience and the enduring power of love.
Now the once-large tumor has shrunk which is proof of his stability and the advancements in medical care.
As he launches on filming the second season of The Old Man, he stands as a symbol of achievement over trouble.
Source: PR Newswire
