Actress Shannen Doherty, whose battle with breast cancer is being documented in both traditional and social media, has been giving her fans and supporters updates on Instagram.
"Chemo day. A day many of us dread," Doherty wrote on Wednesday, August 10. "Strength gets us thru but every once in awhile, you just want to hide in bed and let chemo day pass you by. #currentmood #currentsituation #chemoday #fightlikeagirl"
In previous updates, Doherty, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and has since undergone radiation and chemotherapy treatment and a single mastectomy, revealed that her dog, Bowie, was the first to detect her cancer. The former star of '90s teen drama Beverly Hills 90210 recently shared a new photo of Bowie on duty.
"Chemo has been terrible and believe me, we have tried almost everything," she wrote. "So days like this have become a bit of the norm. I'm learning that it's ok to fall into bed and give in to the exhaustion or nausea or aches.
"I've learned a lot of that thru all the beautiful people who have shared their personal stories with me right here on Instagram. Thank you. Btw, it doesn't hurt to have #msbowie comfort me So back to my nap. Thank you for your prayers, well wishes and stories. They help so much. #blessed"
Doherty's inner circle includes film and TV actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred in another '90s hit show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Gellar praised her friend's bravery in a touching Instagram post on Monday.
"My #mondaymuse (and really every day #muse) is my brave friend @theshando," the I Know What You Did Last Summer star wrote. "I've always said she is one of the most loyal friends I've ever known, and now while she is facing the toughest journey of her life, she is sharing it with friends she has never met in the hopes of helping other people who are going through the same struggle. That's a true friend."
Doherty reciprocated with a post of her own dedicated to their friendship: "I'm starting #totaltuesday and dedicating it to @sarahmgellar. Why? Because she's the total package. Smart, funny, beautiful and a great friend. She's that friend that is always there when you need her no matter what. Loyal and loving to the bone. I am blessed for many reasons and she's one of them. Love you SMG. #cancersucks #fightlikeagirl #friendshelpcancersuckalittleless"
Doherty's husband of nearly five years, photographer Kurtis Iswarienko, has also been by her side.
"He loves me with pink hair or no hair," she wrote in a recent post. "I'm blessed to have such a strong support team starting with @kurtiswarienko who loves me more every second. Can't imagine my life without him. Cancer is not pleasant but it can bring out the best in relationships or the worse. Thankfully, it has made our marriage stronger."
Doherty's former Beverly Hills 90210 castmates have also expressed their support. Jason Priestley told Entertainment Tonight that she is "incredibly brave" and "she's always been a tough kid," and Ian Ziering told E! that he's praying for her.