Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw has spoken emotionally about the 'decline' she anticipates as she undergoes chemotherapy for breast cancer. The 52-year-old actress, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap, announced her diagnosis earlier this year and recently began treatment.
Emotional Update on Instagram
On Friday, Tracy took to Instagram with a lengthy video, sharing her fears about losing her hair. She said: 'You're going to see a little bit of decline. I've come this far so I'm going to be honest and share this next phase. As much as I've loved being able to still feel the comfort blanket, which is what my hair is, the next phase is that it's going to go. It's all going to get very serious.'
However, she quickly adopted a more pragmatic tone, adding: 'Oh, stop that! It's just fact. My body now is going to war with that thing that doesn't belong here.'
Support from Fellow Stars
The post drew an outpouring of support from fans and friends, including actress Sally Dynevor, who battled breast cancer herself. She commented: 'Thinking of you, Tracy. You are amazing.' Tracy replied: 'Thank you Sally, so are you.' Drag Race star Baga Chipz also sent love with a red heart emoji.
This emotional update came shortly after Tracy shared a candid post about her first day of chemotherapy. She wrote: 'First day of chemo done. I'm feeling alright but that has a great amount to do with the steroids which are helping my body fight the chemo that has gone in.' She explained a delay due to a missing injection, but remained positive despite a metallic taste in her mouth and feeling like 'the Incredible Hulk.'
Preparing for Hair Loss
Earlier, Tracy cut her hair to donate to The Little Princess Trust and shopped for a replacement wig with a Macmillan nurse, sharing footage on social media. She has previously spoken about taking her illness one step at a time, saying: 'I had some great guidance which is "Don't look up, just keep going to the next base camp, don't climb Mt Everest, just keep taking one base camp at a time." So today, I'll be going into the hospital and I'll be seeing my wonderful oncologist, and some other wonderful women on this journey with me, and I will face the next base camp.'
Tracy, who also appeared in Mile High and Casualty and had a brief pop career, continues to inspire fans with her honesty and courage.
