Tracy Shaw, the 52-year-old former Coronation Street actress, has been rushed to A&E after suffering severe chemotherapy side effects in her battle against breast cancer. In a tearful video posted on Instagram, Shaw, who played Maxine Peacock on the soap, described feeling “as vulnerable as a baby” and admitted she has “no strength left”.
“Day ten after chemo. Another trip to A&E. Most of the day asleep,” she said in the footage. “I’ve got cream for thrush all over my nose, all in my mouth, my ears, my head. I’ve been constantly on the toilet.” She explained that the treatment “kills everything, including the lining of my stomach”, leaving her unable to taste or eat properly. Her diet, she said, has been reduced to “six eggs and plain crisps and plain bread”.
“Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw, 52, rushed to A&E after severe chemotherapy side effects; says she has 'no strength left'.”
Shaw wrote alongside the video: “Chemo side effects. Day 10 after chemo. Another trip to A&E. Every trip needs blood and heart checked. All ok, just side effects. More prescriptions… THANK YOU TO ALL YOU LADIES FOR YOUR MEDICAL ADVICE. MORE FUNDING FOR THE NHS GOVERNMENT PLEASE.”
The actress revealed that on the same day, her son had to attend a wedding and she had thought she would be fine alone. Instead, she needed help from her neighbour, Robbie, who “had to get out of bed” to take her to hospital. “Without the help of my neighbour, Robbie… we had hours in A&E, then was given a prescription… When we got to a chemist they hadn’t got it in, so then he went on his motorbike to some other chemist,” she said.
Shaw broke down as she thanked the “ladies that I’m in contact with on Instagram” for their support, saying: “Thank you, ladies, for saving my life today.” She also expressed gratitude to the A&E staff, adding: “Thank you for all the staff in A&E. Thank you to my neighbours, Robbie especially.”
The actress, who has been documenting her cancer journey, described the difficulty of dealing with the side effects. “It’s very difficult to be around people, to be around noises. You’re so sensitive,” she said. “It just feels really tough today. It just feels really difficult to dig deep without the help of the ladies that I’m in contact with on Instagram.”