After receiving the devastating news of her breast cancer diagnosis last year, Jenna Fischer's mind immediately wandered to the thought of whether she would lose her precious locks. In an emotional and heartfelt conversation with Hoda Kotb of Today, aired on October 21st, the beloved actress from The Office bared her soul about her decision to not shave her head during her chemotherapy journey.
"The instant they uttered the words 'chemotherapy,' my initial thoughts raced to not vomiting incessantly and, more than anything, holding onto my hair," the 50-year-old reminisced, her voice tinged with emotion. "Fortunately, I managed to avoid the former, but unfortunately, the latter eluded me."
"As women, we often obsess over such details," she continued, her eyes reflecting a mix of humor and poignancy. "Endless Google searches for hairstyles, scrutinizing pictures of tresses, wondering what fate had in store for my own mane. Ironically, my hair loss was uneven, a capricious process of thinning patches and sporadic shedding. One day, I woke up with a noticeable bald spot, forcing me to resort to elaborate comb-overs, resembling a makeshift toupee."
Embarking on her arduous treatment plan, Fischer endured 12 rounds of chemotherapy starting in February, followed by three weeks of radiation therapy in June, interspersed with infusions of two additional medications. Amidst all this, the thought of shaving her head never crossed her mind entirely.
"I never had that defining 'shave-it-all-off' moment," she confessed to Kotb, her tone laced with puzzlement. "I found myself torn between the options: Should I preemptively chop it off? Or take the plunge and shave? Ultimately, I didn't do any of it."
"Throughout, I clung to wisps of hair here and there—a few strands on top, a bit more at the nape," she elaborated, her expression softening. "These flecks of hair, though scarce, served as my disguise, granting me a semblance of normalcy. I resembled Friar Tuck, balding on top yet retaining a tuft at the side, a mere illusion of fullness."
Adapting to her changing appearance, Fischer embraced wigs and hats adorned with hair, affectionately nicknamed 'Wigats' by her family. But now, with renewed strength, she's ready to bid farewell to the wigs and embrace her shorter locks with pride.
Earlier, on October 8th, Fischer bravely shared her diagnosis on Instagram, marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. After undergoing a lumpectomy and months of arduous therapy, she rejoiced in the news that her doctors found no trace of cancer, leaving her feeling rejuvenated and triumphant.
Though her infusion center lacked the customary ringing bell to signify the end of treatment, Fischer celebrated this milestone in the comfort of her backyard, surrounded by her loving husband, Lee Kirk, and their cherished children, Weston Lee, 13, and Harper Marie, 10.
In sharing her story, Fischer implored her followers to prioritize their annual mammograms and urge their physicians to assess their Breast Cancer Risk Score. "Had I delayed for just six months longer, the outcome could have been dire," she warned, her voice filled with urgency. "The disease could have spread. Witnessing women proudly posting about their mammogram appointments on Instagram served as my gentle nudge. I'm overjoyed I heeded the call. Let this serve as your reminder to take charge of your health and schedule your exam today."
