Beverley Callard has revealed she broke down in tears in front of a co-star and told her she "knew she was losing the battle" against cancer before finally receiving results that ruled out stomach cancer.
The 69-year-old actress, known for playing Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer around the time she moved to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan to join the cast of RTE's soap Fair City. She initially underwent an operation and then completed radiotherapy.
Emotional Wait for Results
Doctors advised her to have further scans on her stomach, and after a six-week wait, results confirmed there was no stomach cancer present. However, in a candid update posted to Instagram on Wednesday evening, Beverley described how she "burst into tears" on set because she felt so ill.
In the video, she said: "As you know, I got the results of the biopsies on my stomach last week, and they said it's definitely not stomach cancer, which I was over the moon with, but I think it took a couple of days to sink in because we've been waiting all those weeks for the results and you suddenly realize then that maybe you've been thinking the worst, even though you were you pretend that you're optimistic and everything. And I know everybody who's going through this feels the same way."
She added: "And I did have a few days before the results where I honestly thought, because I felt so ill with this stomach thing, I honestly thought, 'I'm losing the battle here.' And one day I was at work, and the people have been amazing, and I was working with an actress, Una, who we've worked together a lot. She's fantastic. And she said, 'How are you doing today?' And you know when somebody's nice to you you just burst into tears? And I just said, 'I'm losing the battle. I know I'm losing the battle,' because I just felt so poorly."
Recovery and Support
The Coronation Street star, who played Rovers landlady Liz McDonald on and off for 30 years, said she is now beginning to feel much better and apologised for coming across as "self-indulgent" while waiting for her results.
She continued: "I'm beginning to feel quite a lot better now, and I'm sorry if I moaned at everybody as well, because I felt as though I was really self-indulgent, but we all get like that. And I've been speaking to other people who are in exactly the same boat and at the same going through the same process. Some are ahead of me, some are a bit behind me, and so it's good to have everyone to chat to and listen to what you have all got to say. But today has been a good day. I should have gone out this evening to something, but I'm still a bit too nauseous to go."
She also mentioned her 94-year-old mother-in-law, who was drinking Jägerbombs and Black Russians while she stuck to water and tea, joking: "And you think, 'What is going on with my life?' But there we go, I will party again at some point. But I just am sending lots of love to everybody."
When Beverley revealed she had received her results, she explained the tests found "chronic inflammation and H. pylori bacteria, but no stomach cancer whatsoever," and declared that "the fight is back on."
Messages of Support
Former Loose Women panellist Denise Welch, who played Natalie Barnes on Coronation Street in the late 1990s, wrote: "Oh Beverley what great news!!!" followed by red heart emojis. Other followers also shared their relief, with one writing: "Great news , thrilled for you & the worried look has left your face . You are glowing & rightly so . Onwards & upwards & get your stomach problem sorted . Such a relief for yourself & John xx."
Another wrote: "Brilliant Beverley. You will be a new woman on the medication. You may rattle but the pain relief will be fast," and a fourth said: "Thank the stars you got good news Beverley I'm so happy for you."
Support and advice for those affected by this story can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
