Premier John Horgan has announced he’s finished 35 radiation sessions for throat cancer and will continue to work from home amid a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.
The premier announced in early November that a lump in his throat was cancerous.
On Monday, the premier expressed gratitude for his health-care team, noting health workers are under incredible pressure due to the pandemic.
Horgan, 62, said he is “a little less robust than before,” having shed a few pounds, but feeling better “every day.”
A Star Trek fan who received wishes for a “warp speed” recovery from Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager, Horgan called the radiation treatments “phasers on stun” — referring to the fictional devices that release a beam of subatomic particles.
He has described the side effects as “challenging but tolerable.”
The premier continues to take part in meetings online and by phone — including briefings, chairing first ministers’ and cabinet meetings — and is expected to return to the office and addressing the media in early February.
Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general, has attended in-person meetings on behalf of the premier since he was appointed deputy premier in late November.
Horgan, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2008, has thanked the public for the many well wishes and notes of care and concern he has received, calling it humbling. Over 30 minutes, just over 1,000 people had liked or engaged with his social media posting about his health.
They had the phasers on stun and my treatment is complete.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) January 17, 2022
So grateful for the compassion and professionalism of the @BCCancer team and health workers across BC under incredible strain right now.
A little less robust than before, but feeling better every day. See you soon! pic.twitter.com/QekAHuQwKs
