Beverley Callard has declared the "fight is back on" after finally receiving long-awaited test results amid her battle with cancer, well over a month after she underwent tests on her stomach.
The actress, 69, announced earlier this year she had been diagnosed with breast cancer around the time she relocated to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan so she could join the cast of RTE's soap Fair City. Beverley initially underwent an operation and then completed radiotherapy.
Six-week wait for results
Doctors urged her to undergo further scans on her stomach several weeks ago, and she had become increasingly frustrated at the wait for an update coupled with the need for increasing medication amid the pain she was experiencing.
It has taken six weeks for Beverley to hear more about her health - but she announced on Thursday night she had finally had an update - that there are no signs of stomach cancer.
'Great news' announced on Instagram
Speaking in a new video posted to Instagram, she said: "Great news, absolutely great, great news. Uh, they've, I've now got the results of the biopsies, and uh, it's chronic inflammation and H. pylori bacteria, uh, but no stomach cancer whatsoever. Thank God, thank God."
"You know when you think, 'No, of course it isn't anyway,' but there's that waiting and so it all sits in the back of your mind. Anyway, that's what it is, and, I've now got more medication than you've ever seen. I'm going to be rattling around like Boots the chemist But I should get some relief from all these medications quite rapidly now."
"So, fingers crossed, please God, I am on the up now. And uh, lots of people, lots of you told me you thought it would be that. So, you were right, and I'm thrilled to bits."
"So, hopefully I'll be feeling so much better. And thanks so much for all your messages and everything. So, yes, the fight is back on."
Support from husband and fans
Jon, who tied the knot with Beverley in 2010, also took to Instagram to celebrate. He said: "It's a positive day, so yeah, she's working today, very early starts this week. But I might even have a Jack Daniels." He added: "All in all, we're in good spirits, it's gonna be a good weekend - hopefully you'll have one too!"
Former I'm A Celebrity star Bev, who is best known for having starred as Rovers landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street on and off for 30 years, was also supported by her friends and fans alike as she shared the good news.
Former Loose Women star Denise Welch, who played Natalie Bares on Coronation Street in the late 1990s, wrote: "Oh Beverley what great news!!!" and left behind a string of red heart emojis.
Another follower wrote: "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"
A third 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."
