The story behind David Lynch's devastating health condition

A battle for every breath

David Lynch, the iconic filmmaker known for his surreal masterpieces, revealed this past summer that he is battling emphysema — a chronic lung condition that has severely impacted his ability to breathe.

Quitting too late

The illness was caused by a tobacco addiction. The director announced that he gave up his long-standing habit two years ago, but the damage was already done.

He started when he was 8 years old

As Lynch himself shared on Twitter, his history with this vice began when he was just eight years old. At 78 now, that’s an astonishing 68 years spent indulging in what he once viewed as an essential part of his identity.

Part of the artist’s image

He told People magazine that the habit was “A big important part of my life... It was part of being a painter and a filmmaker for me.”

The heavy toll

Now, Lynch faces the stark consequences of decades of indulgence. "It’s tough living with emphysema. I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.” The severity of his condition means he must rely on supplemental oxygen for pretty much everything.

No regrets

Despite everything, Lynch says he will keep directing movies although it will have to be remote. Although the consequences have been a “big price to pay,” Lynch says, “I don’t regret it. It was important to me."

Owning his actions

The director is candid about his responsibility in this situation. "What you sow is what you reap.," he admitted, adding, "It can bite you. I took a chance, and I got bit.”

Left with no other choice

Lynch's decision to quit wasn’t born of sudden enlightenment but necessity. “I saw the writing on the wall and it said, ‘You’re going to die in a week if you don’t stop.' I could hardly move without gasping for air. Quitting was my only choice.”

Meditation to help him quit

He told People that he longtime meditation t=practice finally helped him quit. However, he said that he did try to quit “many, many times" before that. He added that it is also helping him to stay positive and focus on healing now that his condition has gotten so bad.

A plea to others struggling to quit

Lynch wants for his own experience to become a cautionary tales to others.“I really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you,” he says. “I owe it to them — and to myself — to say that.”

Habits reflected in his movies

For Lynch, his habit was never glamorous but a gritty reality woven into his life and art. Many of his characters reflect the same struggles, their behaviors echoing his own.

What’s next for the auteur?

While Lynch’s future as a filmmaker remains uncertain due to his health, his genius endures. Though his condition imposes undeniable limitations, the creative force behind 'Twin Peaks' and 'Mulholland Drive' continues to inspire, even as he navigates this challenging chapter.