Rush Limbaugh stunned his 27-million member audience Monday with the announcement he’s been diagnosed with “advanced lung cancer.” The talk radio pioneer who is frequently heard defending law enforcement and the military closed his broadcast with the grim news, saying he will be leaving his golden EIB microphone for treatment, but hopes to return soon.
“This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory, for me, because I’ve known this moment was coming,” Limbaugh said. “I’m sure that you all know by now that I really don’t like talking about myself and I don’t like making things about me… one thing that I know, that has happened over the 31-plus years of this program is that there has been an incredible bond that had developed between all of you and me.”
Limbaugh, 69, then told his audience that his job has provided him with the “greatness satisfaction and happiness” of his life, Fox News reported.
“So, I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn’t have to tell you. It’s a struggle for me because I had to inform my staff earlier today,” he said. “I can’t help but feel that I’m letting everybody down. The upshot is that I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.”
Limbaugh said he hesitated telling listeners the news, but knew he would miss time behind the microphone as he seeks treatment. Therefore, he did not want to create speculation about his absences.
He thoughtfully shared that his diagnosis has been confirmed by two medical institutions since he first realized something was wrong on January 12 when he experienced shortness of breath. He also shared of his deep, yet personal faith in God, something he does not often discuss.
“I thought about not telling anybody,” he said. “It is what it is. You know me, I’m the mayor of Realville. This has happened and my intention is to come here every day I can, and do this program as normally and competently and expertly as I do each and every day because that is the source of my greatest satisfaction professionally, personally.”
“I told the staff today that I have a deeply personal relationship with God that I do not proselytize about, but I do, and I have been working that relationship tremendously,” he said. “I am, at the moment, experiencing zero symptoms.”
