It is heart-wrenching to watch a close friend or family member fight against cancer. While cancer takes a devastating toll on the individual, we often overlook the impact it has on their loved ones.
But thankfully, most people facing this terrible illness have a supportive network of people to guide them through their toughest times.
Relying on one another and the strength and support of a loved one can truly make a difference.
Shannen Doherty, the renowned 52-year-old actress, shared in June of this year that her stage 4 cancer had spread to her brain, eliciting an outpouring of sympathy from her followers around the world.
Doherty’s battle with cancer began in 2015 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After receiving treatment, she went into remission two years later. However, in a tragic turn of events, she revealed on Good Morning America in 2020 that her cancer had returned, this time in stage 4.
“It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I’m stage four,” she said. “So my cancer came back and that’s why I’m here.”
Doherty admitted that she had kept this news private for a year, stating, “I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways.”
We can only imagine the immense difficulty she faced during that year. However, we now know that the actress chose to focus on the BH90210 revival while keeping her devastating diagnosis to herself. Among the few people she confided in was her co-star from Beverly Hills, 90210, Brian Austin Green.
“I had moments of great anxiety where I thought, ‘I can’t really do this,’ and Brian was the one person who – of that group of people that knew – that I told, like, pretty quickly and said, ‘Here, this is what I’m dealing with’,” she revealed.
“So prior to shooting he would always call me and say, ‘Listen, you know, whatever happens, I have your back.’ He would look at me and be like, ‘We got this, kiddo’…so Brian helped me through a lot.”
Now, in an interview with the Herald Sun, Green provides an update on his close friend’s condition.
“We talk all the time,” he shares. “She’s an incredibly tough person. If there’s anyone who could put up a real fight against cancer, it’s her.
“It’s not an easy situation, obviously, but I love her to death.
“And she’s making the absolute best of it.”
Doherty has garnered immense admiration for her open and transparent approach to sharing her battle with cancer. She has consistently kept her followers informed at every step of her journey.
In June of this year, she posted a video of her first radiotherapy treatment, highlighting her vulnerability and fear.
“On January 5th, my CT scan showed Mets in my brain. Yesterday’s video was showing the process of getting fitted for the mask which you wear during radiation to your brain.
“The first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic, and there was a lot going on in my life.
“I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at Cedar Sinai. But that fear… the turmoil… the timing of it all… this is what cancer can look like.”
Doherty’s openness and strength throughout her battle serve as an inspiration to many. She continues to face this challenging disease head-on, while sharing her experiences with her dedicated followers.
If you have ever witnessed a loved one contend with this horrible disease, we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
