Rush Limbaugh's ear surgeon dies

[Liberal_in_LA]

Dr. Antonio De la Cruz dies at 65; neurotologist performed ear surgery on Rush Limbaugh

The radio host credits De la Cruz, of L.A.'s House Ear Clinic, with saving his career after he implanted an electronic device in Limbaugh's inner ear that compensated for his hearing loss.
By Dennis McLellan

August 8, 2009
Dr. Antonio De la Cruz, a renowned neurotologist at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles who performed cochlear implant surgery on conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, has died. He was 65.

De la Cruz, who also was the director of education at the House Ear Institute, died July 31 of complications of lymphoma at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, an institute spokeswoman said.

An associate of the House Ear Clinic since 1975, De la Cruz was in the news in 2001 when he successfully performed cochlear implant surgery on Limbaugh.

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"Dr. De la Cruz literally saved my career and got me my life back with that surgery," Limbaugh said this week.

He said his hearing loss "was rapid, within six months, and Dr. De la Cruz did everything to try to save it. Nothing worked." But throughout the process, "he was always confident, always reassuring, always upbeat and supportive."

Without the cochlear implant surgery, Limbaugh said, "I wouldn't have been able to continue my career. For a month before I had the implant surgery, I did my show totally deaf."

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-antonio-de...

[Barack_America]

1. I'm sorry for Dr. De la Cruz.

I'm sure that he saved the hearing of many people.

[valerief]

2. Damn that doctor for saving that asshat's career! nt

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RandomThoughts]

5. +1 without the swearing, I agree the doctor was helping someone without prejudice.

[emilyg]

15. +2

[Maru Kitteh]

17. +3

[valerief]

7. I know he was. Oh, it's not worth trying to explain to the humorless. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

10. What a completely despicable thing to say.

Shame on you, you ......

[AzNick]

3. As a doctor you have to take care of every patient...

That's what's beautiful about it.

Maybe Rush should reflect about this a little bit.

[seeviewonder]

6. But Rush could probably give a shit less about his doctor helping people.

Isn't that why he is against single payer? I am sorry for the doctor and his family that are grieving however.

[tomreedtoon]

8. It would be a very cruel irony...

...if the doctor died of lymphoma that could have been treated if he'd had regular medical exams...

...that he couldn't get because Limbaugh fights against universal health care.

I'm sure the doctor could help Limbaugh hear again, but nothing can make him listen.

[Tx4obama]

9. well...

It is sad that the doctor died.
It is wonderful that the doctor helped so many people medically.
But it IS a shame that Rush's career was saved!

[valerief]

11. They're gonna get on your ass now, too! nt

[argyl]

12. The one time Limbaugh was fun to listen to,his hearing loss.Sounded like he was inhaling helium.

[Vickers]

13. That fucking Slick Willie Clinton is at it again.

[ThoughtCriminal]

14. What?

[pansypoo53219]

16. hope the Dr.

gouged jabba tho. pay for some poor people.

[old mark]

18. Too bad he didn't find a doctor to get

his head out of his ass.....


mark