‘Blue Bloods’ actor had disturbing symptom before being terminal cancer diagnosis

EntertainmentComedian Alex Duong died earlier this year. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)Getty ImagesBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comThe entertainment world was heartbroken to learn that comedian Alex Duong, known for his appearances on the show “Blue Bloods,” died earlier this year. He was 42.Duong died after a year-long battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer – alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which affects soft tissue. He was diagnosed last year. He said his ordeal began when he started experiencing headaches behind his eye. That progressed to his eye becoming so swollen and discolored that his manager at the Comedy Store pulled him to the side.“Your left eye looks like it’s about to fall out,” Duong told the Los Angeles Times that his manager told him. “You should go home.”That led to his diagnoses and the loss of vision in his left eye due to the mass blocking blood flow to his optic nerve.His friend, Hilarie Steele, announced Duong’s death on his GoFundMe.“With the heaviest hearts, we share our dear Alex passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by love and dear friends,” she wrote. “He was comfortable and thankfully out of pain. Christina and Everest were able to see him last night, and he was alert enough to say goodbye to his little girl, who he has treasured every moment since the day she was born. We are devastated, but so grateful for the support, prayers, and generosity you have all shown during this unimaginable time. “Your continued support now means everything as Christina and Everest navigate the days ahead and to arrange a beautiful celebration of his life,” she continued. “All of us will be by her side to hold her up and help her in every way possible. We love you all. We will share more when we are able. Thank you for holding his family in your hearts.”The post came just a day after she shared an update that said Duong was in septic shock. “Right now, Alex is fighting for his life,” she wrote. “He has gone into septic shock, a severe and life-threatening infection that has overwhelmed his body. He is in the hospital, and the situation is critical. Everything has changed so quickly.”The GoFundMe for Duong has currently raised more than $119,000. Duong appeared in three episodes of “Blue Bloods.” His list of credits also includes two episodes of “Filth City” and an appearance on “Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle.”Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...