Posted on 08/08/2009 2:40:44 PM PDT by Borges
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.
A cochlear implant is an electronic device surgically implanted in the inner ear that, when used with a small external receiver, picks up sound and helps compensate for hearing impairment.
Limbaugh's hearing loss was the result of autoimmune inner ear disease.
"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."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
R.I.P. Doctor, you will go down in history as an American hero.
RIP. May God bless your family and friends.
Limbaugh said he and De la Cruz “got together socially a lot for years after we met. He was the epitome of refinement and class; he had a dignity he just exuded. We all had a very special affection for him.”
Thank GOD for this man!
I love Rush too!
Obamacide
A great thing to have done. Prayers for the good doctor, who died way too young.
The same ear hospital where I fo for my deafness. My doctor is Dr. John House.
We owe the good doctor a debt of gratitude beyond price. May he Rest In Peace and prayers up for his loved ones.
Rest in peace Dr. DeLaCruz. Rush talks a lot about being the best you can be and this doc seems to have really made a difference. Condolences to his family, friends and patients.
2001? Wow that long ago.
I totally remember driving to college, and wondering why Rush’s voice sounded so weird.
This man is a national hero for working such skill. A rare breed in the USA these days.
RIP!
Rest in peace and thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
RIP Doc.
Thank God for these people.
RIP good doctor.
Dittos!
I recall how my heart sank when the Drudge headline read “I’m Deaf”. Thank God for this doctor! Bless him and comfort his family at this time.
I’ll bet there’s some lovely comments at the LA Times site.
You beat me to it.
I bet there are some truly hideous comments from liberals about this.
This man should be a patron saint to the conservative cause for saving Rush for us.
Thank you for the ping, IMPR.
Condolences and prayers for his family, and gratitude for the good done by Dr. De la Cruz in the lives of so many people.
Special thanks for making it possible for Rush to continue his career.
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