Shannen Doherty Shares Emotional Chemo Throwback Photo on Instagram
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Shannen Doherty shared an emotional photo of herself on Instagram that highlights the physical and emotional trauma of chemotherapy.
“This image is so personal to me,” the 45-year-old posted. “I had started chemo. Was using a cold cap in hope to not lose my hair. End result was clumps in my hands. I was sick, felt like I was losing myself. Gained people and lost people. Got weak and got strong. Felt ugly and yet more beautiful inside than I had ever felt before.”
Breast Cancer Awareness month. This image is so personal to me. I had started chemo. Was using a cold cap in hope to not lose my hair. End result was clumps in my hands. I was sick, felt like I was losing myself. Gained people and lost people. Got weak and got strong. Felt ugly and yet more beautiful inside than I had ever felt before. I remember this like it was yesterday, like it was a minute ago. Cancer has so many phases. Shock, denial, acceptance, anger, resentment, rebellion, fear, appreciation, beauty. Remission. Even then, the phases keep coming. Cancer is with you forever. Those who have experienced it know that even after you’ve kicked it’s ass, it still impacts you, in good ways and bad. You still go thru the roller coaster of emotions. You still need support and love. And you can still grasp life and live, live live. #cancer #cancerslayer
According to the American Cancer Society, some cancer treatments make people lose some or all of their hair, most often in clumps during shampooing or brushing. It usually starts within two weeks of treatment and gets worse one to two months after starting therapy.
The former “Beverly Hills 9021” and “Charmed” star revealed she had breast cancer in 2015. She publicly shared her journey on social media, from her first day of radiation treatment:
To announcing her cancer was in remission:
“Cancer is with you forever. Those who have experienced it know that even after you’ve kicked its ass, it still impacts you, in good ways and bad,” she continued in the post.” You still go thru the roller coaster of emotions. You still need support and love. And you can still grasp life and live, live live.”
Since her diagnosis, Doherty has been an active voice in the cancer community. She recently attended an event with her mother honoring Stand Up to Cancer, an organization that raises funds to accelerate research and get new therapies to cancer patients.
Header photo via Instagram
Trish is the Cancer Editor at The Mighty. She lost her father to stage 4 lung cancer in August 2016, and previously worked at a children’s cancer research organization, so she knows firsthand about the cancer experience. A lover of hip hop music, hot sauce and kimchi, she lives in Maryland with her husband, two dogs, cat and feisty 2-year-old daughter. Check her story out in the book, “A Letter to My Mom.“
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