Yesterday, 90210 star Shannen Doherty posted a series of photos to Instagram, showing up close the process of shaving her head. Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
As a woman with cancer, I'm in awe of Doherty. It's pretty much common knowledge that some chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. But when I began chemo in late 2014, I was knee-deep in denial about losing my hair—to the point where I didn't even have a hat or wig on hand when my hair did fall out several weeks in. I only shaved it once I could pass for Larry David. Doherty's initiative to buzz her head and regain some semblance of control of the situation didn't even occur to me. I was busy eking out the last moments of seeing the me I recognized in the mirror, which only left me blindsided.
Once you listen to the oncology nurse rattle off the endless list of side effects, losing your hair actually seems like one of the easier things to deal with. But it's not. It makes you want to hide—if not in bed, than under a wig or a cap or a scarf. And sure, you get used to it. It begins to feel normal. What's so admirable and amazing about this is that not only did Doherty have the guts to post this to social media, but she did so as it unfolded, taking fans with her along the way.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Her friend, model Anne Marie Kortright, also posted a photo of the two together, and wrote in the caption: "Your strength and courage is so inspiring and I am so very lucky to have you in my life. Thank you for blindly trusting me today to help you with such a big step."
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Cancer is already demeaning in so many ways. The primary treatment option is literally poison (seriously, the chemo nurse handed out masks to my family and boyfriend to wear while she injected a carcinogenic drug into my vein). And losing your hair, shaving your head, it's the most visible indignity of them all. So thank you, Doherty, for giving cancer the middle finger and doing this on your own terms.
Watch a PSA to Breast Cancer Research:
