Bernie Nolan talks breast cancer, chemo and hair loss
"I might look like something out of Star Trek - but I’m winning the fight of my life" Bernie Nolan
I caught the last few minutes of TV star and lead vocalist of the 80s pop group the Nolans, Bernie Nolan, on GMTV yesterday as she spoke about her treatment for breast cancer. Bernie revealed that, like many women choose to do, she shaved her head as her hair started falling out in clumps during chemotherapy. “The thing is, my hair was falling out anyway, and it was all tufts here and tufts there, and it looked worse” she said “I looked like somebody who was really ill – ha! – which I don’t consider myself. And I just thought “Get rid of it,” I’m in charge of this disease, not the disease in charge of me. And I thought I’m taking my hair off, so that’s what I did.”
I like that attitude! And she is right, it is easier to mourn the loss of hair in one sharp shock than to do it on a daily basis. A fact I wish I had realised at the time of my own treatment as I clung on to my rapidly diminishing sparse hairs. I was like a shaggy dog shedding hair everywhere I went, leaving a trail behind me – on the floor, my clothes, cushions – the pillows when I woke up in the morning were covered with hairs and it was even in my mouth. After three weeks it was almost all gone, except for a few random wispy clumps. When I stood in front of the mirror I could see my grandpa staring back at me, an old man, with greying skin and wispy bits of hair. So yes, Bernie you are right to take control in this way.
However, she said losing her hair had been traumatic, confessing ‘Initially, when I was first diagnosed in April, I was like hair, schmair, if it has to come off then it comes off, that sort of attitude. But your hair is your femininity and for me it was a big part of who I am actually, my hair, more than my breasts, I’m not a booby woman. But it had to be done and you have to be strong, and it’s a new look, not one that I would choose, but I felt good when I’d done it.’
Bernie is halfway through her treatment and her doctors are pleased with her progress, as the chemotherapy is reducing her tumours. She is the third of her sisters to be diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 10 years. However, tests have revealed that she is not a carrier of the cancer gene, which she says came as a huge relief to her because of her 11-year-old daughter Erin’s potential risk of contracting the disease.
I have to say I really admired Bernie watching this interview – she pulled no punches when it came to the brutal reality of chemotherapy and while I usually hate to use that hackneyed phrase of “brave”, I felt she did come across as gutsy and brave. And she is not alone. Right now there are many women out there who are in the same position, who are shaving their heads, making decisions regarding treatment, going to chemo sessions, caring for their families, and getting on with things. It is amazing when you look back on it from the prospective of a few years and see how far you have come. I look back on my own chemotherapy and the many dark nights of the soul on my own journey, but I can also see how my journey with cancer took my life in new directions and down paths I never would have walked ordinarily. I wish the same for Bernie Nolan and all those on their own journeys with cancer.
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Nolan sister starts treatment for breast cancer
I wish her all the best of luck in her treatment.
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Bernie is an inspiration to us all.
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I believe I read that Bernie Nolan has HER2+ BC and this is a very aggressive form of cancer. I do hope makes a full recovery.
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She isn’t the only woman with breast cancer, others don’t advertise it though for the sympathy vote, THEY just get on with it, so no I wasn’t impressed with this interview!
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But Watson you are missing the point with your comment. The media aren’t interested in other women going through BC – they are looking for women we recognise in the public eye. And they do this because we the viewing public aren’t particularly interested in “ordinary” women either.
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Personally I think it’s great that so many people (celebs included) are willing to admit to having cancer. It can only be a good thing that we are all so much more aware of what can happen.
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Cancer is a dreadful illness which can cause death but
survival does not depend on their preparedness for the ‘battle’. It will depend on their general health, the site and extent of the cancer when discovered, the competence of their treatment, etc. A fighting spirit is no defence against cancer unfortunately.
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I read some of the newspaper coverage of this and yours is the first account that doesn’t mention she is “suffering” or “bravely battling” – well done!
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I am 45 yrs old, and had bc twice, once either side. lucky not to have the gene, so havent passed it on to my son. Diseases like this need to be made more aware of, Bernie looks great, and hopefully beats this disease, but seeing her on t.v will bring more awareness of this. So ladies have a good feel of those breasts, or visit G.p, or breast clinic, if u dont like doing it urself. Remember the earlier it is caught the better chance of survival.!!!!
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I hate all that bravely battling breast cancer stuff – glad you avoided it in your post.
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If the press used the word “suffering” to describe Bernie’s journey, I’m not crazy about that description. “Ordeal” and breast cancer is another pairing I could do without. That doesn’t mean we, and our families, aren’t suffering and that we’re not going through an ordeal. Perhaps those words have been overused in the press to the point they’ve lost their punch.
An “ordeal” was moving my mother, yesterday, from Assisted Living to a dementia/Alzheimer’s facility, and because our neighbor’s dog was suffering after being hit by a truck, he had to be put to sleep. A matter of semantics, I guess.
XOXOXOXO,
Brenda
BreastCancerSisterhood.com
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Thought provoking post Marie! I think the reason celebs are used to bring awarness to a disease (doesn’t have to be BC) is because we think they are not like the ordinary person. Personally I don’t care how we get the word out on things we can do to make ourselves healthier as long as it gets out.
I actually got my hair cut boy short before my chemo as I was also taking charge. Then when it started falling out I pulled much of it because I was curious as to what my head would look like bald. I actually liked how I looked. Now that the hair is growing back it looks bad! At least when it was bald I didn’t have to worry about color or the fact that it can’t decide if it is going to be curly or what! I look like a wild woman. My husband even said well you could just shave it all off again if you don’t like it. Let me tell you I have thought about doing it but then I would still have to go through the “growing out stage” so I keep on.
I agree with Brenda. The word I like to use is a life challenge and sometimes it is even an opportunity. Notice how I said sometimes it is an opportunity. Afterall I would not have even met you Marie without BC and you are a blessing! Hugs today.
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Good post and great comments!
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