Rush Limbaugh announces he’s been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer

By J.E. Dyer
Rush Limbaugh announces he’s been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer
Rush Limbaugh Show video

Listeners to Rush Limbaugh’s radio program got an unwelcome update from him on Monday.  Limbaugh was recently diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer, and will be taking a noticeable amount of time off in the coming months as he undergoes treatment.  He said as the program closed that he needs further tests, and is still waiting for the details of a treatment plan.

“I wish I didn’t have to tell you this and I thought about not telling anybody,” he told his audience.  “I thought about trying do this without anybody knowing, because I don’t like making things about me. But there are going to be days when I’m not going to be here because I’m undergoing treatment or I’m reacting to treatment.”

He used trademark Rush-isms to keep it light:  “It is what it is. And you know me, I’m the mayor of Realville.  My intention is to come here every day I can. And to do this program as normally” as usual.

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But at one point, when referring to his relationship with God, Limbaugh found himself unable to speak for an unusually long interval – a solecism for radio hosts that he knows better than anyone to avoid, if possible, as a professional matter.  Some things, it seems, are outside of our professional control.

Limbaugh didn’t go into much detail, but did disclose that his first indication was shortness of breath, experienced during his recent birthday weekend:  “What led to shortness of breath that I thought might have been asthma or — you know, I’m 69 — it could have been my heart. My heart’s in great shape, ticking away fine, squeezing and pumping great. It was not that. It was a pulmonary problem involving malignancy.”

Rush Limbaugh has had his national broadcast going every weekday since 1988.  His listeners are accustomed to hearing from fill-in hosts from time to time throughout the year, usually at predictable vacation or holiday breaks.  He and the show have recovered from extended absences before, as when he was diagnosed with hearing loss in 2001.

Numerous well-wishers chimed in on Twitter to offer prayers, thoughts, and blessings.

Ill-wishers showed up too, and you know what?  They’re not worth bothering with.  If you want to read their ugly sentiments, knock yourself out.  (They could use some praying for, of course, if you feel the calling.)

Cancer is a tough foe.  We wish Rush Limbaugh a full and speedy recovery, and many more years of success as one of the GOATs of radio broadcasting.

J.E. Dyer

J.E. Dyer

J.E. Dyer is a retired Naval Intelligence officer who lives in Southern California, blogging as The Optimistic Conservative for domestic tranquility and world peace. Her articles have appeared at Hot Air, Commentary’s Contentions, Patheos, The Daily Caller, The Jewish Press, and The Weekly Standard.

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