Enormous Outpouring of Support as Rush Limbaugh Announces He Will Take Time Off During Lung Cancer Battle

“There will probably be, down the road, similar type days where I will need take a day for rest or for whatever medical challenges present themselves,” Limbaugh announced on his future schedule. “But the fact that I'm able to get back here and be with you is a genuine blessing, and I appreciate it and I appreciate your understanding throughout all of this."

Limbaugh was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, meaning that the cancer had spread to other parts of his body, in February. He’s been fortunate to travel to receive targeted therapies because of his status, in his own words, as a “powerful, influential member of the media.” Most people battling lung cancer have been unable to travel for treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: Radio Host Rush Limbaugh, 69, Says He Could Travel for Cancer Treatments During COVID-19 Lockdown Because He Was Deemed 'Essential'

Despite his polarizing political views, millions of people have extended their thoughts and prayers to Rush during his fight, and as Christmas nears, the radio host is being flooded with holiday wishes for health and happiness.

I think you are loved and appreciated more than you even realize. So many prayers being lifted up for you! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas @RealRLimbaugh and a healthier new year! 🙏

Mama K (@hummingalong12) December 17, 2020

You are a huge part of our lives we are praying…… GOD BLESS AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Debbie A. Louise (@AmeliasTreasure) December 19, 2020

Lung Cancer and COVID-19

Nearly 230,000 Americans like Rush are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. It is the second most common form and leading cause of cancer death in America.

As if the fight against lung cancer wasn’t hard enough, the COVID-19 pandemic presents an even greater danger for people fighting the disease.

Related: When Treatment Can't Be Delayed: Lung Cancer & COVID-19, What You Need to Know

For people like Rush fighting metastatic lung cancer, immunotherapy, which is the main form of treatment for this stage, could leave you at a higher risk for serious complications from the virus.

"Almost all stage four patients now who don't have targeted mutations or rearrangements are on a path where they're going to see immunotherapy during their treatment course," Dr. Brendon Stiles, a thoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "And we really don't know what the interaction of that is going to be with the virus. I think you could probably argue both ways that it may completely throw your immune system out of whack and predispose you to infection.”

What Late Stage Lung Cancer Patients Should Know About Immunotherapy During Coronavirus

Ultimately, people battling lung cancer should be sure to prioritize their own safety above all else. It’s imperative to follow CDC guidelines, follow social distancing rules, and minimize your contact with people outside your own household. While this may be frustrating and difficult, it’s a necessary investment in your own health during these unprecedented times.

“At this time, for patients with lung cancer or any type of cancer, still, the best thing we can do is to keep to ourselves and keep to the small groups of people that we are living with, to frequently wash our hands, clean off surfaces in the home, and minimize the amount of time that you are out of the home and interacting,” Dr. Karen Reckamp, Director of the Division of Medical Oncology at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “For patients who are on treatment, it becomes necessary sometimes to come into a health care setting."

What Do People With Lung Cancer Need to Know About COVID-19?

Cancer During the Holidays

For many survivors and people currently fighting cancer, the magic of the holidays can be complicated by the difficult realities of cancer.

Related: Tips For How to Handle the 'Cancer Conversation' With Friends and Family When You Gather for the Holidays

“People are uncomfortable around cancer, and there’s a lot of fear, ignorance, misunderstandings and myths around it,” breast cancer survivor Diane Mapes previously told SurvivorNet.

For people whose fight is still ongoing, staying positive and focusing on your healing can be a godsend during the sometimes uncomfortable or isolating holiday experiences.

"My advice to others is to stay focused," Karen Ballou, a Hogkin lymphoma survivor, previously told SurvivorNet. "Stay focused … think about one thing in your life or two things in your life that you can see when you're well, that you want to go after. And you want to follow through with. That's what got me through the holidays."

Think of the Positive Things: Karen Ballou on Facing Cancer During the Holidays

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