Shannen Doherty shared a photo of her losing her hair during chemo for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Karen Belz
Updated
Shannen Doherty shared a photo of her losing her hair during chemo for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Shannen Doherty shared a photo of her losing her hair during chemo for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We love hearing positive updates about her journey, but actress Shannen Doherty’s battle with breast cancer included a lot of heavy, heartbreaking moments.

Doherty was diagnosed back in 2015, and after opening up about it to fans, began sharing information about her journey. She underwent chemotherapy, which meant that she lost her hair while trying to fight cancer. As of this April, Doherty is in remission — and based on her updates, we think she’s feeling pretty good.

She decided to flash back to one powerful moment of her journey in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and ended up sharing a few words about cancer itself.

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

A post shared by ShannenDoherty (@theshando) on Oct 12, 2017 at 9:23am PDT

In the photo, Doherty said that this was the first start of chemo. She admitted that it made her feel both weak and strong, and both ugly and beautiful. It’s more or less an emotional rollercoaster.

“I remember this like it was yesterday, like it was a minute ago,” she said. “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.”

Back in April, Doherty got real about what being in remission was like. According to her, it’s important to continue taking medication and wait out the next five years. Having a reoccurrence, sadly, is more common than you may think.

Moments. They happen. Today was and is a moment. What does remission mean? I heard that word and have no idea how to react. Good news? YES. Overwhelming. YES. Now more waiting. As every single one of my fellow cancer family knows, the next five years is crucial. Reoccurrences happen all the time. Many of you have shared that very story with me. So with a heart that is certainly lighter, I wait. In the meantime, decisions. Reconstruction which is several surgeries. Decision on taking a pill for the next five years that comes with its own set of problems and side effects. I am blessed, I know that. But for now.... remission. I'm going to just breathe. #cancerslayer

A post shared by ShannenDoherty (@theshando) on Apr 28, 2017 at 4:06pm PDT

While we hope that Doherty only has good news from here on out, we want her to know that she has our support no matter what. Since breast cancer affects so many people, it’s incredible that she chose to tell her story.