Rush Limbaugh said his recent lung cancer diagnosis has put him in the odd predicament with listeners and those struggling with similar illnesses.
The conservative radio host’s daily transcription of his show addressed “My Cancer Conundrum” Thursday: Millions of listeners want to hear about his story because they find his grit inspiring, yet he fears focusing on the disease too much.
“A number of you have asked why I haven’t provided an update on treatment,” said Mr. Limbaugh, who recently was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump. “Folks, this is a tricky answer because there are two sides to this. One of the things that I have learned in the short period of time since I’ve been diagnosed is, if you’re not careful, this disease can take over your life. It can take over everybody in your family’s life and it becomes all-consuming, which I don’t think is good. I’m trying to avoid that happening.”
Mr. Limbaugh said that he wanted to avoid his show becoming a retelling of medical “scans, blood draws, notes, records, phone calls to doctors, and this kind of thing.”
“I’m doing what’s been prescribed,” the 69-year-old host added. “So far, it’s working. I really, I really believe … I’m running a risk saying this, but I really, really … believe all of your prayers are having an impact. I cannot tell you how good I feel. The other side of this is that other people think that it could be inspirational for those also suffering from the diagnosis or from cancer in their own ways, and that’s true too.
“So I’m caught in the middle,” he said. “I don’t want to live it. I don’t want to. I don’t want it to overtake my life. It’s a big enough part of it as it is now, as it must be. But I don’t want to spend so much time on it. … So bear with me through all this, and I guarantee you: You will not end up being uninformed.”
Mr. Trump recently said that despite whatever happens with Mr. Limbaugh’s advanced lung cancer, the radio host’s mettle will be on full display.
“[Mr. Limbaugh] is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet,” the president said during his State of the Union speech on Feb. 4.
First lady Melania Trump presented the award to Mr. Limbaugh, placing the blue-ribboned gold medal around his neck.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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