Watching a close friend or family member battle cancer is a terrible experience, even when the ultimate outcome is victory.
Cancer, of course, exacts a heavy toll on those forced to live with it, but something that’s not spoken about as often is the impact it has on the loved ones of the sufferer.
Fortunately, most people are blessed with the benefit of having a strong group of individuals to help them through their darkest hours as they face this terrible disease. Leaning on one another is vital, and the strength and support from a loved one really can go a long way.
It was in June of this year when 52-year-old actress Shannen Doherty revealed that her stage four cancer had mestasized to her brain, prompting an outpour of sympathy and sorrow from her fans all around the world.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, but went into remission two years later after undergoing treatment.
Tragically, Doherty appeared on Good Morning America in 2020 to let the world know her cancer had not only returned, but that it was at stage four.
“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.”
At the time, Doherty revealed that she had kept the news away from the public sphere for a year, admitting: “I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways.”
Just how difficult that year must have been is beyond our powers of comprehension, but it’s known that the actress largely kept her damning diagnosis to herself as she worked on a reboot of BH90210.
One of the few friends she did confide in was Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star 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 explained.
“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 has offered an update as to the condition of his close friend.
“We talk all the time,” he revealed. “She’s an incredibly tough person. If there’s anyone who could put up a real fight to cancer – she’s one of them.
“It’s not an easy situation, obviously, but I love her to death.
“And she’s making the absolute best of it.”
Indeed, Doherty has received widespread admiration for the candid nature of her cancer journey. The actress has been extremely open with fans, aiming to keep them updated every step of the way.
Earlier this year in June, Doherty posted footage of her first radiotherapy treatment, explaining: “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.”
Prayers for Shannen Doherty! And to superstar singer Celine Dion, too, after a recent health update confirmed what we all feared.
If you’re a fan of Shannen Doherty, share this article on social media to show your support as she battles cancer.
Let us know in the comments field if you’ve ever witnessed a loved one contend with this horrible disease.