Shannon Doherty

Beatmon

Have any of you read the new article quoting Shannon Doherty? I really enjoyed her on Charmed.....but she just referred to her new tissues expanders as CUTE....and that her PS felt it was important to wake up with something! I feel like she body shamed those who decided to go flat and negated the pain and problems associated with expanders.

I never thought my expanders were Cute as they stretched skin to make it grow to cover implants! More like Tupperware protruding out from my chest.

Just Wow! I would love to link the article but couldn't figure out how, Sorry.

Brenda E

Molly50

I found this one. Shannon Doherty breast cancer may have spread

Lisey

I think we tell our own perspectives and stories. I have been dishing on implants all over my FB page and if I were a star, I would tell the world why women should not get reconstruction. I'm sure I'd be accused of body shaming as well. But it's just my opinion. For Shannen to call her TEs 'cute'... (and mine were Hell - see my signature line)... That's her opinion and story. It is not offensive and no one should feel shamed by it, maybe they truly are cute to her. To me they were dante's 7 degrees of hell.

Sam2U

The "cuteness" of the expanders were just one of the things that was odd, add in the comments about the surgeon, filling them sometimes making them bigger, some times we reduce them. I didn't understand much of her story, from the diagnosed in Feb 2015, to suing her manager in Aug 2015, to a UM in May 2016 followed by chemo and upcoming radiation. Shannen's story

The whole article is bizarre.

Beatmon

Of course, I do feel empathy that she has breast cancer...who wouldn't? But it was a very weird article.

Angtee15

We all feel for her, but yep her story and timeline seems a little peculiar and worrisome for her prognosis. I thought she was doing neoadjuvant chemo (from another article I read) to see how her tumor responded but now it seems she already had the umx? I never threw up and don't find the expanders currently in my chest to be cute but to each their own lol. I do feel for her (we are about the same age) and was a huge 90210 fan back in the day.

katykids

I can't say TEs are cute either. I had slow fills until my PS started charging me co-pays because I was out of my surgical period. Prophylactic here. Thanks family genes. And she wanted to overfill them so I could get some droop to them so I didn't have coconuts. I wanted some droop like my old boobs with less LCIS and other nasty stuff.

Also, how do you get dreadlocks unless you don't brush you hair? Methinks she is looking for sympathy. My husband and I keep up on our health insurance and we have 3 kids and both work. And both our parents are sick. I can't read about her anymore.

ravzari

katykids, just to touch on "how do you get dreadlocks unless you don't brush you hair"

It's possible, if you have the 'right' kind of hair for it. I don't mean hair that one associates with dreadlocking naturally, I mean the super lucky kind of white hair that just straight up gets matted if it's long and not very, very frequently brushed.
My hair is super fine, thick, and there's a lot of it. When I have it long, I have to tie it back at night or I wake up to HUGE--think the size of a closed fist--mats near the roots and ends that are so tangled they're starting to form a matty looking dreadlock (as opposed to a nice looking one). That's even with brushing right before bed, with using detanglers that are leave in, and with trying the satin pillowcase trick.

When long, mine will also start to twist and mat up if I don't brush it every hour or so (or worse, if I go outside and it's breezy!) if it's not kept tied back in a ponytail; braids never worked as it's so fine and slick that it just slides its way out of them.

It's part of the reason I've kept my hair short for most of my life, all the fights with brushing it in the morning as a little kid, and having to frequently brush it throughout the day so it didn't start to mat up and twist itself into a mess made me just...severely dislike it long.

As for Shannon Doherty, the article did read a little strangely and the author of the article also seemed to be trying to keep it a bit lighthearted and positive instead of just focusing on all the negative, scary aspects of it too, so that may also account for the overall article reading a bit weird, but I read it more with a "this is how she's coping with everything" sort of tone than with her trying to be flippant, shaming, or dismissive or anything.

After all, I don't automatically feel that women who choose to reconstruct after a mastectomy are clearly giving a big middle finger and 'shame on you' to women who choose to not reconstruct; they just made a different choice than I did, and made the choice that's hopefully right for them, their life, and their body. Someone choosing something other than what I would have chosen doesn't automatically mean they're silently or secretly shaming me for my decision, after all.

And, frankly, if they are shaming me for it, they're free to remove themselves from my life because I made the choices I felt were most appropriate for my body and my situation, as I'm sure she did.

People also deal with stress differently. I tend to deal with stress with humor, being a combination of upbeat and cynical, and cracking jokes. For some people, they might find that inappropriate, and it wouldn't work for them, but it works wonders for me.

I refer to my BMX as my "most expensive body mod", as it very easily cost tens of thousands more than even my largest, most expensive tattoos or strangest piercings I've ever had. Some people might find that offensive if it was said to them or applied to them, but for me, it helps make me feel better about how everything looks when I think of it as a "body modification", because body mods are something I choose to do to myself, and are something I like talking about and occasionally showing off. For me, my body mods are a source of pride in my looks, so looking at my BMX as another body mod helps me feel better about the look of a scarred chest until it heals enough to have it all tattooed over next winter, and helps me focus less on all of the irritations of healing. That, obviously, wouldn't work for everyone, and I'm sure a lot of people would find it strange, but it works for me.

If the way she's dealing with it--making little jokes, talking frankly about her choices, calling her TE and its bump 'cute'--helps her cope better and feel better during the process, more power to her; it may not be right for everyone, and her way of dealing might be a way that would make someone else feel worse or just feel angry if they tried it, but if it works for her, it works for her.

Anonymous

I used to watch 90210 way back when so I was interested to hear Shannen's story. She was talking in an interview about her lymph nodes and that the cancer had grown outside of the node. She said it hasn't spread to anywhere else in her body which is great, but I feel like she didn't know a whole lot about her diagnosis and was just going by what the doctor says. From what she's saying, it sounds like she's Stage 3. I didn't have reconstruction and I didn't care when I woke up to nothing after the surgery. I was in a lot of pain and I couldn't imagine more pain from TE. There was a lot of uncertainty in my situation and I didn't want to complicate it with reconstruction. I'm still flat with a "foob" and no one can tell with clothes.

Meow13

I found her interview very strange. Puking constantly, shaving her head, and waking up with cute TE. Really, seems like she is going for sympathy or something. Good care and administration of chemo shouldn't leave you puking your guts out. Also shaving your head can lead in discomfort and scalp problems. I would use cold caps or cut hair really short. But it seemed to confirm the steotypical view of breast cancer. I mean the emphasis should be on staying NED, not your hair, puking and little bump. I felt tremendous relief after Mx that the cancer was gone. Really, not too worried about breast repair. If it matters to you there are fabulous plastic surgeons out there that are so far advanced compared to BC treatment.

Removed remark that upset people. I'm such a catty person.

Hopefloatsinyyc

I read it... And although it's not the same path or way I would describe my thoughts on my treatment and diagnosis; I don't judge her for telling HER story and how SHE is processing this whole "journey". Everyone is different... Everyone heals and copes differently... Tears, denial, humor, focus... No right or wrong way- yet completely personal. I can not imagine what it would like to be her, just as she could not imagine what it is to be me. We each have our own story.... This is simply a reporters summation of her's.

hanley50

I agree Hopeflaotsinnyyc...she didn't write the article. Just a summation of what the reporter wanted to write about in summary.

I wonder if she is like some of us, freaking out and google searching what is going on in her body while going through this crap.

If she is I hope if she finds this site and logs in to find the support she needs (under an assumed name of course!)

Hugs to all...Maryann

VegGal

You never know....she could be here.

I am active on some forums that address neurological conditions of all different types. There's a Parkinson's forum, and unbeknownst to the posters on there, and for a very long time, Michael J Fox had been posting for support under a screen name.

We're all just people trying our best. I can only imagine what a news article about me and my challenges would sound like on any given day. Throw in pain meds and you've got a doozy of a story.

Meow13

If I was being harsh I'm sorry. It is just I don't find much humor in the disease. Breast cancer can kill you it should be taken seriously. More needs to be done, many people don't realize just how many are dying. I like the one video on metatised cancer and there is no cure. Young woman with the disease and fighting to be there for her children, but died. I didn't like the interview it came off as shallow. I am sorry for Shannon, I hope she is on this website and getting support and not just laughing it off. Humor only goes so far with coping.

Hopefloatsinyyc

meow- I respect you and your statement...

For me? If I didn't find silly and often ridiculous moments to laugh through this process, I would spend days in tears. I find humour in moments others may not- and through that, I catch my breath.... Relax into knowing I can do this...and I charge forward with confidence. It's how I have faced some challenges in my life that would have made others crumble... And yet here I stand, ready for yet another fight.... With the hope that I can laugh a little along the way. If others find it trite, or assume I don't realize the magnitude of disease (as a single mom of young kids going through this alone- trust me I get it!), then that's on them. I'm proud of being able to smile through tough moments... And I hope everyone can find their own way through without judgement from fellow cancer warriors, or those blessed enough to never be touched by this awful disease.

Meow13

Bless you Hopefloatsinyyc, we do need humor at times.

I think I have a bit of post traumatic stress going on.

hanley50

Meow13 - you were not being harsh...just stating your opinion which is what this board is for...a sound off so to speak!

As for the PTSD...I'm with you and can't get over it. It's like someone kidnapped me and won't let me out of the car! When will it end?

Edited...for spelling (I hate spell checker!)

TulipsAndDaffodils

Hopefloats....that is exactly how I feel! I have to laugh through this, even though I have a very high risk prognosis. I have triple negative breast cancer, and when I went for surgery after six months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, I had significant residual disease, leading to 6 MORE months of chemo after I finished 6.5 weeks of radiation. I have about a 50% chance of metastatic recurrence given my situation, so it is serious, and yet......I laugh and use humor whenever possible! Which is often.

Shaving her head was not unusual. Meow, it looks like you didn't have to do chemo, so may not have the experience of hair loss to rely on. Cold caps work for only a small percentage of women, and cost thousands of dollars to boot. They almost never work for people who get adriamycin (the "red devil"). More likely to work for the lower risk women who get the less toxic CMF chemo. A lot of people do initially go for a pixie cut, but as the hair starts to really come out, most people shave their heads--it is simply too awful to have all that hair falling out. And even with how serious my situation is, and my gratitude to be alive today, losing my hair was probably the worst part of this whole adventure. WAY worse than surgery, way worse than any other side effects. Also the longest lasting effect--it will take roughly 4 years to regrow my hair how it was. It's a shockingly big deal when you go through it (of course, I didn't think that before I went through it). I'm sure there are some people who don't feel this way, but in my experience talking to others who lost their hair like me, it is extremely common for this to be very traumatizing. And not just for shallow or vain people.

But I still choose to laugh, and make jokes about how my new crazy hair that is coming in makes me look like Kramer from Seinfeld (it is common for hair to come in very differently after chemo--frequently a very unmanageable texture for a while). And I love that Shannon posted pictures of her head-shaving. It doesn't strike me as attention-seeking. I think it may give comfort to other ladies who have to go through it. But you might be right, Meow, perhaps she is looking for sympathy, and if she is, she has my sympathy--I think she deserves it, as do all cancer patients and others going through health crises. Plus it sounds like she had a very difficult time with insurance issues, which may have led to delayed treatment. Cancer is awful for all of us, I imagine even tv stars.

Meow13

yes you are right Shannon will need support. It does sound like she is very new to learning about breast cancer. One part that struck me is she says yes it does age you. Referring to the treatment. I wish we could be comfortable with the aging process. I for one want to look 35 forever. Maybe we need to accept ourselves and be happy with good health while we have it.

I mean what I say that I hope she finds us and joins BCO. Having been identified with beauty and signature hair she will need all the support we can bring her.

I am just mad as hell that young people are getting this disease. My sister in law is desperately trying different chemo just to buy more time, it is painful and I feel so helpless.

Meow13

I think you are right kayb.

dragonsnake

Shannen, if you on the boards, please let the wonderful women here to support you and guide you through the treatment and beyond. It's not clear from the cited article what is actually going on (diagnosis, treatment, etc.). It sounds troubling that despite being diagnosed in February 2015 you are getting chemo just now, and that you nausea and vomiting is not controlled. This timeline suggests progression or recurrence, and we all feel for you and empathize with your struggles like no one else. It is possible that you rely on your doctors to guide you through the treatment, but these boards are  also full of good advices and suggestions how to handle multiple issues and overcome numerous challenges on your way to remission.  

SummerAngel

The thing that I thought was odd about Shannen Doherty was that when I saw her on Dr. Oz in February (I don't typically watch, I was home sick that day and it came on), was that at that time she had known about the cancer for a LONG time and hadn't done anything at all to treat it. She seemed very ill-informed, and it seems to me that her doctors should have given her the warning that continuing to do nothing was a bad idea. I would think that her Dr. Oz interview would be available somewhere if anyone is interested.

BethL

I saw the dr oz Clip with Shannon on YouTube. He was encourungher to get treatment. I believe she was dxd August of last year and was blaming her managing company for not paying insurance premiums so she said she could get screening to have caught her cancer earlier, before it spread-as she put it. But why couldn't she get screened? She couldn't pay for a mammogram? Or find a program to get it done? Guess it doesn't matter now. She needs to let it go and focus on getting better.

pupmom

If I'd had a mastectomy, I definitely would have opted for a DIEP or implants. My vanity is too huge to go flat! But, I had a lumpectomy, and despite all the warnings that one could not have reconstruction after radiation, I successfully did, and it looks good.

Sam2U

BethL--she was diagnosed in Feb/Mar 2015 and took the time to hire an attorney to sue her business manager for not paying insurance premiums(not saying that he shouldn't be sued), but put off treatment?!?

I wonder if she tried some other form of treatment between early 2015 and May 2016. I also wonder if these interviews now are ways for her to earn a living during treatment. (these are just my thoughts and not based on any knowledge)

Anyways, I wish her the best.

BethL

I wish her the best too. No on shoukd have to go through this.

edwards750

Not trying to be insensitive because I know there are a lot of women struggling to pay the costs of a BC DX but she isn't destitute is she? What did her doctors say about delaying treatments? I do know even with health insurance it's expensive. My DH and I have a large deductible but we met that deductible in 2 months- then it was 100%. Thank God because we couldn't have afforded my 33 radiation treatments.
I know firsthand BC can spread quickly. A friend's sister waited 6 months and by then she had to have a double MX and massive doses of chemo. She died a few months later. By then it had spread everywhere.
Whatever excuse her BM has is a moot point now.
I wish her luck.

Diane

Artista928

I only saw one article pop up on my FB feed from US magazine. Now I know this mag is a rag like National Enquirer so I took what was said with a grain of salt. Unless the person comes out herself and speaks, I don't trust re-writes on such matters that you can easily derive misinformation from.

I agree with the te being cute thing, if she did say it, that it very well may be her way of coping with the loss. Tomorrow I'll be 1 year out from sx and I still have my te's. I've gone from hating the look to where it actually doesn't look bad (just missing nipples).

What I don't like I guess is so many millions fight this and when it's a celeb she's seen as a warrior. If she was one of us, it wouldn't be a big story except to those who love us. I mean I had some folks thinking that if it's spread to the lymph nodes that's it. No. The majority of us have spread to LNs and it's not a disaster outcome. Hard to read the feedback on this story on FB as people posting like they know, don't. They are lay people never had cancer and are handing out advice, like juicing to cure yourself. lol

Katjadvm

Can you imagine being diagnosed with cancer and then criticized by a bunch of strangers over how you reacted to your diagnosis and how you explained it to people. Weirdly catty for a group of supportive women with cancer to pick apart how another survivor is coping.

rvgirl2016

Thank you Katjadvm for saying what I think a lot of us have been thinking, but not coming out and saying!  I think I've come off as flippant a couple of times, it's just the way I cope.  But no one has called me out on it here thank goodness  She needs just as much support and understanding as the rest of us

Meow13

in retrospect on my first posting she may need even more support. It can't be easy.