Former Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw has opened up about the harsh realities of chemotherapy after completing her first session. The actress, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap from 1995 to 2003, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and began a five-month chemotherapy course in late May.
In a candid Instagram video on Friday, Shaw described the side effects she is experiencing. 'The reality of the situation. The living on two different parallels. The aftermath of the chemo effects... I'm absolutely starving, I can't eat. I have thrush in my mouth and my lips are chapped,' she said. She added that she woke up feeling like she had pneumonia and that her immune system is struggling.
Despite the physical challenges, Shaw spoke of finding peace through nature. 'While all these symptoms feel like the body's dying, at the same time, I've had the most spiritual experience this morning... watching the sunrise, being with the birds, being with the dogs and I just feel so at peace,' she shared. She also thanked fans for their support and sent love to others undergoing treatment.
Earlier this month, Shaw shaved her head and donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs for young cancer patients. She had previously documented saying goodbye to her 'crazy hair' on Instagram, calling it 'another step on this breast cancer journey.'
Shaw revealed that her first chemotherapy injection affected her heart, requiring regular scans. She also criticised government underfunding of the NHS, saying, 'Why doesn't the government just look after the guys at the NHS a little bit more and invest a bit more into our hospitals?'
