Coronation Street icon Tracy Shaw broke down in tears as she discussed the effects chemotherapy has had on her body. The actress, 52, announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and recently started treatment for the disease.
The soap star, who played Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap from 1995 until 2003, took to Instagram with a new video on Sunday evening where she tearfully admitted she had “no strength left” and she had begun to feel incredibly “vulnerable” amid her ordeal, especially after her latest dash to A&E.
She said: “Day 10 after chemo. Another trip to A&E…most of the day asleep. I’ve got cream for thrush all in my nose, my mouth, my ears, my head. I’ve been constantly on the toilet and there’s no strength left. In my head I thought there may be a break after maybe a week after chemo so this is the effects that the chemo has had on the body.
5View 5 ImagesThe star told fans she had had a ‘really tough day’
5View 5 ImagesThe star eventually broke down in tears as she admitted there was ‘no strength left’
“So, basically, the chemo kills everything – including the lining on my stomach. There is no strength and there is no…it feels like I’m as vulnerable as a baby.
“It’s very difficult to be around people, that have been around noises, you’re so sensitive. I still can’t taste anything or eat anything, my staple diet is six eggs, and plain crisps and plain bread. It just feels really tough today.”
Tracy, who has two adult sons from a previous relationship, previously spoke of how much she had begun to rely on her eldest but, on this particular day, he was away at a wedding so her neighbour stepped in to take her to hospital but was dealt with a “setback” when the chemist did not have her prescription in stock.
5View 5 ImagesTracy previously vowed to keep being ‘honest’ about her whole ordeal(Image: Instagram)
5View 5 ImagesThe actress starred as Maxine Peacock on Coronation Street from 1995 until 2003(Image: PA)
She added: “It just feels really…difficult to dig deep without the help of the ladies that I’m in contact with on Instagram, when I do go into A+E and see doctors, I rely on their help and their guidance for what they’ve been prescribed, to advice the doctors in A+E so thank you, ladies for saving my life today. Being day 10, my son had to go to a wedding and I thought I’d be absolutely fine at home alone, and when I rung my triage team, I had to go into A&E today.
“So without the help of my neighbour Robbie, who has no end of times I’ve had to call him for things, he had to get out of bed to get me to A&E and then we had hours in A&E, given a prescription. When we got it to a chemist, they hadn’t got it in so he went on his motorbike to some other chemists to try and get hold of the prescription.
“This is just something we have to do. I guess they don’t give you every prescription that they think might happen. I don’t know, is this because of money?
“I don’t know. But this is really painful and I was just looking forward to not having to inject anymore and to stop having the bone marrow pain to then have these extra setbacks, really, which seems to be from what I hear from you survivors, that you have done on your own and survived this – you are just incredible.”
Several famous faces rushed to the comments section to show their support for Tracy, including some of her former co-stars. Kym Marsh, who joined Coronation Street as Michelle Connor a few years after Tracy left, said: “Sending love darling xx” whilst Shobna Gulati, who played Sunita Alahan, simply left a red heart emoji.
Kate Ford, best known for her role as Tracy Barlow on Coronation Street, said: “Sending you my love xxx,” and Simon Gregson, who has played Steve McDonald for more than 30 years, said: “Sending love, trace xx”
Antony Cotton, who has played Sean Tully on Coronation Street for over two decades, said: “When you’re going through hell…keep going. Love and power to you x”
Daran Little, who wrote scripts for Coronation Street during Tracy’s time on the show before going to work on EastEnders, said: “My brave wonderful friend . You are in mine and so many people’s prayers.” Meanwhile, Harriet Thorpe, known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous and EastEnders, Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies and Blue singer Antony Costa also sent their well-wishes.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
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