Marlyne Nayokah Barrett is an American actress. Discover Marlyne Barrett’s remarkable weight loss story, uncovering the reasons behind her transformation.
Marlyne Barrett, best known for her role as Maggie Lockwood in Chicago Med, caught fans’ attention with her notable change in appearance.
However, behind the scenes, Barrett faced a tough battle with uterine and ovarian cancer, bravely sharing her diagnosis in September 2022. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and losing around 20 pounds, she continued to film for the show.
This journey highlights Barrett’s strength and leaves us wondering: How did Maggie from Chicago Med achieve her weight loss amidst such challenges?
Is Marlyne Barrett Sick?
After playing a character dealing with breast cancer on the show Chicago Med for three years, Marlyne Barrett shared on September 27, 2022, that she had recently been diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer. Despite having no family history of these cancers, doctors discovered a large tumor in her left ovary and uterus in July 2022.
Her cancer journey started after experiencing complications from a hernia operation in April of the same year, leading to fluid buildup in her abdomen and breathing difficulties. Learning of her illness and the tumor came as a shock, prompting Barrett to contemplate her mortality.
Doctors advised a hysterectomy followed by aggressive chemotherapy. Chemotherapy often causes hair loss, which can deeply affect patients psychologically. Barrett, refusing to let chemotherapy dictate her appearance, bravely shaved her head in front of her husband and children.
She received overwhelming support from her Chicago Med colleagues, some shaving their heads in solidarity. Despite her health battle, Barrett remained committed to her work, arriving early, taking naps, and managing her energy levels with breaks.Given her health struggles, you might wonder about Marlyne Barrett’s noticeable weight loss.
How Did Marlyne Barrett Lose Weight?
Barrett faced challenges with uterine and ovarian cancer, likely exacerbated by her weight loss on “Maggie” in Chicago Med. To combat this, she underwent chemotherapy, which unfortunately brought about adverse effects on her body and health. Research indicates that chemotherapy can disrupt appetite and weight, leading some patients to eat less or feel full quickly, hindering proper nutrition, muscle loss, and weakening.
Ovarian cancer, in particular, can trigger various symptoms, including weight loss, alongside issues like constipation, upset stomach, and unexplained weight changes. Marlyne Barrett experienced a dramatic weight loss of about 20 pounds during her chemotherapy treatment, drawing attention from fans and sparking discussions on social media.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Barrett prioritized healthy eating and staying active. Her weight loss was not due to strict dieting or intense workouts but rather a result of her medical treatment and illness. She opted for a light diet, emphasizing fluids like water and vegetable juices to detoxify her system. As Kate Connolly explained, juices offer direct cell cleansing and hydration, delivering essential nutrients efficiently.
Her diet consisted of simple, wholesome foods like brown rice, vegetables, fruits, salads, and fish, omitting red meat due to potential cancer risks. She maintained a disciplined eating schedule, having substantial lunches and avoiding heavy meals after 7:30 PM. These dietary habits contributed to her strength and well-being during treatment.
In addition to her dietary choices, Barrett incorporated a moderate fitness routine into her regimen, despite undergoing chemotherapy. Her workouts included treadmill walks, hikes for cardio, and pilates sessions, which helped with lung expansion and breathing retraining.
Pilates, known for its holistic approach to fitness, focuses on breathing, posture, strength, flexibility, and muscle control. Kate Connolly notes that while beneficial for some, cardio exercise may exacerbate inflammation in others, particularly those with allergies or high histamine levels.
Also Read: Melissa Peterman Weight Loss Journey: How She Lost 60 Pounds
Why Did She Lose Weight?
Many individuals shed pounds for different reasons. Some do it to alter their physical appearance, while others do so due to underlying health concerns.
In Maggie’s case from the show Chicago Med, her weight loss journey was primarily driven by health issues. Upon being diagnosed with cancer, the effects of chemotherapy weakened her, resulting in a noticeable drop in weight.
Marlyne Barrett, who portrays Maggie, experienced significant changes in her body between seasons 7 and 8 of the show. Alongside weight loss, she also opted to shave her head, although this change was less conspicuous since she had always worn a wig for her role.
Reflecting on her situation, Barrett expressed, “Working brings me immense joy amidst my health struggles. It provides a welcomed distraction from worrying about my next chemotherapy session and how to be there for my children.”
Similarly, Marlyne herself faced a parallel experience, albeit on the silver screen. Her character Maggie had a brush with cancer in 2019, a plotline she could relate to on a personal level. However, she acknowledged the vast difference between fictional and real-life encounters.
Recalling her portrayal of breast cancer on-screen, Barrett shared, “When my character battled breast cancer, I received an outpouring of support from fans on social media. Their encouragement gave me strength, compelling me to connect with them on a heartfelt level.”
Also read: Ryan Hurst Weight Loss Journey
FAQs
Does Marlyne Barrett have cancer?
Marlyne Barrett, known for her role in ‘Chicago Med,’ has shared that she’s fighting uterine and ovarian cancer. This revelation follows her character Maggie Lockwood’s struggle with breast cancer on the show. Marlyne Barrett, the actress from “Chicago Med,” has recently disclosed her diagnosis of uterine and ovarian cancer.
How old is Marlyne Barrett?
Marlyne Barrett is 45 years old, born on September 13, 1978.
