19 Years Post-Op & 4-year Cancer Free Update

Sep 09, 2024

Well, almost 3 years again since I last posted - time flies, life goes on, we hit our obstacles and find paths around them!

I'm now 4 years past my HPV P16+ Squamous Cell Carcinoma Throat Cancer diagnosis and treatment and still in remission! 

Oddly enough, one of the biggest takeaways for me on this whole cancer journey was/is that being on a feeding tube for a year did a 100% reset on my eating.  Coupled with radiation after effects of very little saliva and about 20% ability to taste, my biggest battle over the last 3 years has been NOT LOSING ANY MORE WEIGHT!  How wierd is that?   Getting in enough calories is a daily struggle, though my present 122 weight at 5'1" tall and 74 years old is at the bottom edge of normal.   I'll take my victories where I find them!

If you are early in your weight loss journey, my best advice to you is to be fully cognizant that real life goes on - the challenges, or obstacles, we face will always be there.  I so much believe in the old saying- we can't always control what life hands us - but we CAN control how we respond.  This is the most important thing for you to remember!  We don't have to respond with food. 

I have finally entered into semi-retirement and one of the things I am doing (because I can't simply do nothing) that is a passion of mine is branding as a motivational speaker (or chatter as I like to say) on AGING JOYFULLY - With Courage Grace and Humor ... and reminding all of us that the most important thing (and most forgotten thing) is self-love and self-care - and always being the best we can be. 

Follow along with me!

TikTok - @barefootboomer1950

Facebook - Marie Ford Cicogni

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