George Dudnik, 36, was told he was far too young and fit to be diagnosed with cancer – but after a series of terrifying symptoms, he was eventually given the devastating news
A fit and active man has been confronted with the devastating news that he has incurable cancer – and the initial warning sign was a frightening ordeal.
George Dudnik, 36, received a dire diagnosis of stage four lung cancer in November. Reflecting on that moment, he shared: “It wasn’t just a diagnosis. It felt like a death sentence.”
Prior to this, he had been reassured that he was “too young and too healthy” to develop such a disease. To compound his shock, he later found out that chemotherapy was not an option for him.
Despite this, George is now resolute in his commitment to “fight this disease for as long as it takes”.
Symptoms
George, who splits his time between teaching yoga and working for TfL, shared that his first symptom appeared in December 2023 – a symptom he and doctors initially brushed off.
In a discussion with BristolLive, he detailed his experience: “I woke up around 3am with a swollen face, especially behind my ears. It reminded me of mumps, but I had mumps as a child, so I knew it shouldn’t be possible to get them again.”
Concerned, he reached out to the 111 service and was directed to an urgent NHS appointment. The physician assessed him without conducting tests, quickly diagnosing him with mumps and advising him to rest at home, taking paracetamol.
While the NHS acknowledges face and neck swelling as a potential indication of lung cancer, they note it’s less frequent compared to primary symptoms such as persistent coughs, coughing up blood, pain during breathing and ongoing breathlessness.
George, a Latvia native who relocated to the UK in 2008 for his dance studies, began experiencing other symptoms in March of last year. He initially shrugged off sharp pains in his right calf muscle as consequences of vigorous cycling or exercise routines.
Over time, however, the pain persisted and by May, George noticed his foot and ankle swelling daily, with the pain progressively worsening.
On May 29, he encountered more severe indications of a health issue. George detailed the events of that morning, saying: “I woke up with a strange bubbling sound coming from my throat. When I took my morning shower, I coughed up blood. That same morning, I started work from home, but I developed a severe fever, and every breath became painful. The pain intensified until I collapsed on the floor, struggling to breathe.”
He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, where he described experiencing “unbearable” pain to the extent that he had to “scream” due to the sheer agony experienced while breathing.
Diagnosis
A scan and additional examinations revealed the presence of blood clots within George’s lungs, legs, and arms.
According to George, the medical professionals attending to him were “puzzled by it”, and they even speculated that his vegan diet might be the culprit behind the clots. He continued: “They initially ruled out cancer, saying I was ‘too young and healthy’ for it to be a likely cause. They were convinced it had something to do with my job stress or my diet.”
In October, a CT scan unearthed several spots in his right lung, and post-surgery in November, the devastating diagnosis was lung cancer. But come November, the situation took a darker turn as it was confirmed he had stage four ROS1-positive lung cancer – a rare and aggressive form diagnosed as incurable.
Reflecting on receiving the heart-breaking news, he said: “At that moment, it was like I was underwater. I could see her talking, but her voice faded into the distance. Everything went quiet. My body just went numb. I felt like I was glued to the chair. I couldn’t move, not even look at my partner.”
Equating the news to a death sentence, he continued: “It was like a countdown timer had been activated, ticking away the final minutes of my life. I was still young. I still had so much to do. But suddenly, it felt like my time was up.”
He also mentioned that a doctor bleakly stated that no matter his actions, his life would end due to the cancer.
Treatment
On the treatment front, George was set to commence chemotherapy on December 19, but discoveries just days earlier revealed a ROS1 mutation – an indication often signifying the cancer’s aggression and propensity for spreading, including to the brain and bones. As a result, he was informed that chemotherapy wouldn’t be viable for him.
Instead, he began taking Entrectinib, a targeted therapy aimed at stalling his lung cancer and preventing further complications. However, the target is disease management rather than a cure.
He has consequently been counselled to continue this medication indefinitely.
George’s oncologist remains uncertain about the exact time he has left, pointing out that each patient’s journey is unique. Embracing his situation with determination, George resolved: “I will do everything in my power to fight this.”
GoFundMe
Even as he adheres to the treatment plan laid out by medical professionals, George is branching out into alternative therapies to bolster both his physical wellbeing and mental resilience during what is undeniably a tough period.
His GoFundMe campaign has amassed over £7,000 so far. His optimism shines through on his fundraising page where he states: “I truly believe in self-healing, energy work, and the power of the human spirit. While cancer treatment in the UK is free, everything else I do to support my healing is not.”
The funds, George explained, are channelled towards homeopathy and alternative therapies, quality supplements and nutritional support, sessions in the sauna and detox treatments. The contributions will also support meditation retreats, healing workshops, adherence to a nutrient-rich vegan diet, and engaging in meditation and healing practices developed by Dr Joe Dispenza.
On February 28th, good news came his way; there was evidence that something was taking effect, as his cancer had shown signs of reduction. George attributes this positive development to a synergistic approach combining precision-targeted therapy, alternative medicine, and a mindful focus on nutrition.
In an empowering note, he concluded: “I want people to see that it’s ok to have cancer. It’s not a shameful thing. It’s not an automatic death sentence. It’s not a countdown timer.
“Yes, I know that I might not win. But I also know this – none of us know how long we have. People die from accidents, other illnesses, even random circumstances. Cancer doesn’t mean I’ll live less than anyone else. So I choose to live like I have another 40 years ahead of me.”
You can make a donation to the GoFundMe page here
