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We appreciate the actor's frankness and willingness to document her cancer journey with her followers, while also normalising bodily changes that happen while undergoing cancer treatment. (Photo: Instagram/@realhinakhan)
For a woman, her hair is an asset and of great value to her. It can be heartbreaking to lose clumps of long and healthy hair, especially while fighting a disease. People who have been diagnosed with cancer and have to undergo chemotherapy sessions, often end up losing their precious tresses, a price they pay to regain their strength and beat the disease. Hair loss during chemotherapy is common, according to the Mayo Clinic. It happens because the purpose of chemotherapy is to attack and eliminate 'fast-growing cancer cells' using powerful medicines. But, these medicines do not always differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, and end up hurting other fast-growing cells in the body, including those in the hair roots.
In a video posted on Instagram, Hina Khan -- who recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, an advanced stage of an aggressive form of cancer in women -- shared an update with her fans and followers about how she has been progressing with her treatment. In the heartbreaking video, the actor decided to let go of her long hair before she loses them to chemotherapy sessions.
In the video, Khan sat on a stool, ready for her haircut, while her mother wailed in the background. "Please do not cry," she implored while her mother sniffed. "It's just hair, mumma," the 36-year-old reassured her mother.
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In the accompanying caption, the 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' star shared some beautiful thoughts on strength, faith and acceptance. "You can hear my mother's wailing voice in Kashmiri (blessing me) in the background, as she prepare[s] herself to witness something she never dared to imagine. Not all of us have the same tools at our disposal to manage heartbreaking emotions."
"To all the beautiful people out there, especially women who are fighting the same battle, I know it's hard, I know for most of us, our hair is the crown we never take off. But, what if you're facing a battle so tough that you have to lose your hair -- your pride, your crown? If you want to win, you've got to [make] some tough decisions. And I choose to win," the actor went on to write.
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Khan's hair was tied in braids, and her hair stylist suggested she cut the first patch of her hair from the front on her own. "I have decided to give myself every chance possible to win this battle. I choose to let go of my beautiful hair before it starts falling off. I didn't want to endure this mental breakdown for weeks. So, I choose to let go of my crown, because I've realised my real crown is my courage, my strength, and the love I have for myself."
She added that she has decided to use her own hair to make a 'nice wig' that she can wear during this phase, at home or while stepping out. "Hair will grow back, eyebrows will return, scars will fade, but the spirit must remain whole," Khan stated.
"I am recording my story, my journey, to ensure that my efforts to embrace myself reach everyone out there. If my story can make even one day of this heartwarming-yet-excruciating experience better for someone, it's worth it," she wrote, and also acknowledged the presence and support of people closest to her, including her mother, her team, and boyfriend Rocky Jaiswal.
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"May God ease our pain and give us strength to be victorious. Please pray for me," she concluded her post.
We appreciate the actor's frankness and willingness to document her cancer journey with her followers, while also normalising bodily changes that happen while undergoing cancer treatment.