Feeling the Weight of the World
- As a stage 4 breast cancer survivor, Shannen Doherty, 50, knows what it’s like to fight every day of her life. Though she has been thriving, it is understandably hard to ignore the pressing issues of our world around us.
- Doherty recently expressed her thoughts on the senseless acts of terror happening in Ukraine, and urges people to do their part and not look away.
- Experts say that finding a purpose in life outside of your illness can often be beneficial, and give you passion to keep on fighting.
Like many of us, the L.A.-based warrior is certainly feeling the weight of the world and recently expressed her thoughts on these senseless acts of terror.
Read MorePutin has warned that any country who orders a “no-fly zone” to prevent air strikes or steps in in any other way will suffer the consequences. Many fear it will be the tipping point to starting World War 3 and agree with standing down. Regardless of people’s stance on the issue, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star believes we can all do our part to make a difference in some way safely.
Along with urging followers to donate to humanitarian aid, Doherty also implores people to “put pressure on our government to do more, share information, and keep talking about what’s happening.”
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Most importantly, the Memphis native pleads for people to stop looking away.
“Don't close your eyes to it because it feels better to not bare witness to war crimes, don't ignore it because you feel it isn't your problem. This is a problem for us all. God bless you all. God bless Ukraine. #istandwithukraine”
Shannen’s Breast Cancer Journey
As Doherty navigates through these dark times in the world around her and in her own, she has thankfully been leaning on close friends and her husband, photographer Kurt Iswarienko, 47, to get her through tougher days.
"I love these humans so much,” she wrote alongside a recent photo of herself with BFFs Roma Downey (Robert Downey Jr.’s wife) and Malibu real estate agent Chris Cortazzo. “They bring me light in darkness, they engage in critical conversations without holding back. They are filled with faith and that lifts me up and motivates me."
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Doherty was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She underwent chemotherapy treatment, radiation, a mastectomy, and hormone therapy. Her cancer went into remission, but several years later in February 2020, she announced that her cancer had come back, and it had spread to other parts of her body. She was now at stage 4. Metastatic breast cancer.
Management of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
When breast cancer spreads, it most commonly goes to the bones, liver and lungs. It may also spread to the brain or other organs.
Currently, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, but new treatments have been improving survival rates.
An Overview of Treatment Options for Advanced Breast Cancer
"What we find is that everyone comes to acceptance in their own time with supportand some people never really reach acceptance," Marshall Gold, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, tells SurvivorNet.
He reminds us that battling cancer is a very personal experience and there's no right or wrong way to grieve.
"I think the ways we can support these women are just to honor really how horrible the diagnosis is and the uncertainty that lies ahead and to try to reframe what is most important to you," Gold says. "What do you continue to live for? What brings you joy? To try to see that little silver lining in a horrible situation."
In this case, the silver lining is Doherty finding more meaningful purpose in her own life a way and is fighting for something other than herself and her own battle. Though the subject matter is intense, passion and a will to live can go a long way.
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