Coronation Street favourite Tracy Shaw shared an emotional update on her cancer journey after being rushed to hospital this week.
The actress, 52, is best known for her classic role on ITV's Coronation Street as Maxine Peacock, which she held from 1995 to 2003.
The character was at the centre of some major plotlines on the cobbles before Maxine's life was cut short by terrifying serial killer, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron).
Despite being out of the soap for 23 years now, fans remember her character and performances well. In April, Ms Shaw shared an update on social media in which she revealed she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since then, the actress and singer has updated followers with developments and news about her illness. Posting again on Sunday, June 7, Ms Shaw shared an emotional video following an exhausting visit to A&E.
The clip showed her frank and honest reaction to a chemotherapy session, with Ms Shaw captioning the post: "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. Thank you for all the staff in A&E. Thank you to my neighbours, Robbie especially."
The video itself showed Ms Shaw holding back tears as she opened up on the realities of cancer treatment.
Tracy Shaw at the National Television Awards in 2001 | GETTYShe commented: "Day 10 after chemo, another trip to A&E, most of the day asleep. I've got cream for thrush. All in my nose, all in my mouth, my ears, my head. I have been constantly on the toilet. There's no strength left."
Clearly emotional, she continued: "In my head, I thought there may be a break after a week after chemo.
"So this is the effect that the chemo has had on the body. So, basically, the chemo kills everything, including the lining of my stomach.
"And there is no strength… It just feels like you’re as vulnerable as a baby. It's very difficult to be around people and to be around noises. You're so sensitive.
"Still can't taste anything or eat anything. 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.
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The actress is best known for playing Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street | GETTY"Being day 10, my son had to go to a wedding, and I thought I'd be absolutely fine at home alone. Obviously, when I rang my triage team, I had to go into A&E today.
"So without the help of my neighbour, Robbie - who has no end of time, 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, then got given a prescription.
"Then we couldn't find it when we got it to a chemist, they hadn't got it in. So then he went on his motorbike to some other chemist to try and get all the prescriptions, and this is just something that we just have to do."
She concluded the candid clip: "But this is really painful, and I was just looking forward to not having the bone marrow pain."
Tracy Shaw shared an emotional update
|Thankfully, Ms Shaw seemed in better spirits when she posted once again hours later.
After enjoying a better night's sleep, she shared a message of gratitude with followers. The caption read: "Thank you. You’re all wonderful. We hope you have a beautiful day, stay warm. Nature is the best healer. My sons arrived home last night. JOY!"
She stated: "Good morning, everybody. I hope you all have a beautiful week and thank you so much for reaching out. I have managed to sleep very well. I just wanted to come on and say thank you. I wanted to share what brings me joy in the morning.
"I have a little tree where I put my bird feeders and I have lots of regulars. I've just been watching over this last few months or so, the blue tits and the woodpeckers in particular. I have a Jay who’s on her own at the moment, and my robins.
"I had two that were with me about four years and they disappeared, made me very sad, but another two moved in.
"So this morning the blue tits brought her babies and they’re all dancing and playing. They're just so wonderful.
"In fact, sometimes when I've had the news from the hospital had arrived back and my robin waits for me at the front door.
"So I just wanted to share that life is beautiful and I'm really grateful and I'm really grateful for all of you. God bless your day."
Her posts prompted floods of supportive messages from both fans and former co-stars alike.