British Columbia Premier John Horgan was all smiles at an event to celebrate Lunar New Year — his first public appearance since undergoing radiation treatment for throat cancer.
Speaking to media, Horgan, 62, said he had lost about 25 pounds due to the radiation treatment, forcing him to have all of his clothes altered, and added that he can’t grow a beard anymore.
“This jacket was tight on me when we celebrated the Year of the Ox last year, so it’s nice that this fits me again,” he joked. “The hair stopped growing in various parts on my face, so I kept the moustache, as a good battler it decided to stick around.”
Despite all of that, the premier said he feels good overall and is ready to get back to work.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I want to thank the people at the cancer clinic and everyone that I’ve met along the way, starting from admissions at the hospital to the surgery to the post-op to the treatment,” he said.
“Every step of the way, extraordinary people providing care for British Columbians. We need to be proud of the work that they’re doing and we need to celebrate it every day.”
Horgan underwent a total of 35 radiation sessions, which he completed in January, after the cancerous growth was discovered in his throat late last year.
When he first announced the cancer diagnosis publicly, he said he expected to make a full recovery but would temporarily step away from his duties while he completed treatment.
In his absence, Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has been acting as deputy premier.
Horgan has lost about 30lbs from radiation treatment for his throat cancer, had to get all his clothes altered, and says can’t grow a beard anymore – but feels good overall and says ready to be back at work. pic.twitter.com/9t6wuPezQe
— Rob Shaw (@RobShaw_BC) February 1, 2022
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