Rush Limbaugh says cancer treatment is 'kicking his a**', may give up radio show as even walking tires him
Conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh revealed on Tuesday, May 26, that the third phase of his lung cancer treatment is "kicking his a**" and that he can not walk five steps without having to stop. Limbaugh made the revelation while speaking on 'The Rush Limbaugh Show', and warned his fans that he may not be able to continue his program because of ill health.
The 69-year-old first announced his cancer diagnosis earlier in February, just three days before he was presented with the Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump. Limbaugh, this week, again addressed his declining health condition during his show and told his listeners that he has trouble breathing. The radio host, however, added that he feels grateful just to wake up in the morning.
Limbaugh said: "I'm in the third wave of treatment now. There have been many cycles but this is the third wave and, this current wave, I have to tell you is kicking my ass." The conservative explained to his listeners that each of his treatment cycle spans three weeks and that he has "just now begun week two of this third cycle." The radio host, however, revealed that a treatment "that works in 97 percent of patients" did not work on him because he had a one-percent mutation.
"That one percent mutation is theorized to nullify the second phase of treatment that we tried," Limbaugh said. During his show's segment, the Republican also praised his wife for her consistent support, and told his fans that they should get used to the idea that any future attempts to save his life may fail.
"The day is going to come where I'm not going to be able to be here and I'm hoping that it is months, years," Limbaugh continued. "I'm hoping the cycle that we're in does its magic, but the day is going to come that it won't be possible to be here every day. Any chance to do the show, I'm gonna take it."
The host noted that the current times are "extremely challenging times for me, medically" but added that it is "nothing that millions of you haven't gone through or aren't going through." Limbaugh also told his listeners that he was not divulging too much about his condition because he has "vowed not to be a cancer patient on the radio."
He also revealed that he has been "worthless and virtually useless over the past week" and is currently focusing on getting more rest. "It's the price that you pay if you make the decision to go ahead and do treatment to try and prolong your life. I'm doing extremely well, all things considered," Limbaugh said.
The host added that although his three-hour EIB radio broadcast does not require much movement, the process was the highest calorie-burning time of his day.
"I didn't realize how much physical and mental energy [the program demands]. I hope that it doesn't happen… and I'm not making any excuses. As to how the treatment is going… I'm still here and that's all that's important," Limbaugh added. "Every day I wake up and the first thing I do is thank God that I did. Just waking up is a blessing. I know many of you are praying daily and nightly, I happen to believe that they work. I believe that they are sustaining me. I pray for the energy to be able to do this."