Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw, who played Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap, has been battling breast cancer and has now shared an update after completing her first day of chemotherapy
She showed herself having her hair cut off(Image: tracy.k.shaw/Instagram)
Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw, who portrayed Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap opera, has shared a health update after she revealed she has been fighting breast cancer.
Following the completion of her first chemotherapy session she explained to fans that she would be shaving her head and donating her hair to charity. Posting a video on Instagram, she disclosed to her followers that she had spent more than eight hours at her initial appointment.
The actress said: “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. So I went in today to start at 9am and I left at 5:30pm, very hot day and there was a bit of delay.”
She continued: “Basically with my chemo injection, one of which hadn’t arrived, it’s got nothing to do with robots or anything to do with the hospital team, it was the medics delivery, so yeah that was the delay. But I’m feeling really positive but everything I keep eating tastes horrible.
“Everything tastes of metal, just like you told me, and every now and again I feel like the Incredible Hulk, I want to start moving furniture around, the dogs keeping away from me because they sense that.”
This follows her recent decision to cut her hair to donate to The Little Princess Trust, and she has since ventured out to shop for a replacement wig. She posted footage online of herself modelling the various wigs and displaying them while being assisted by a Macmillan nurse who also offered guidance to individuals experiencing a similar situation, reports the Express.
Earlier this month Tracy revealed the emotional difficulties she’s been encountering, informing her followers: “Each morning I wake up and know that I have to go into hospital and receive more news, which has been going on for a long time, that unknown… I just think, ‘I can’t go through with this anymore,’ but I’ve not even started my journey.”
She’s received an outpouring of support online from her followers as she’s posted updates on every stage of her journey, with many of Tracy’s recent posts emphasising how waking up is a “gift” each day.
CORONATION Street legend Tracy Shaw has revealed she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The actress, who is best known for playing Maxine Peacock in the soap, took to Instagram tonight to share the news and told fans she is due to start five months of chemotherapy before potentially having surgery.
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Coronation Street legend Tracy Shaw revealed she has breast cancerCredit: Instagram
Tracy, 52, wrote alongside a video: “My diagnosis of breast cancer. So the journey begins …..
“Love to everyone who is also going through this journey, looking forward to hearing from you all, especially you amazing survivors.”
The actress explained she was due to have surgery in two weeks but doctors at the Royal Berkshire Hospital told her she needs to undergo chemo after tests revealed she has HER2 in her cells.
HER2 is a protein that promotes cancer cell growth and is found in more aggressive types of the disease.
She said after the course of chemo she hopes to have surgery to remove lumps and lymph glands so more tests can be done, which could lead to further surgery before radiotherapy.
Samia Longchambon commented: “Sending love to you Tracy.”
Sally Ann Matthews wrote: “Love you baby girl x.”
A fan said: “What a brave and brilliant post. Sending positive vibes and love to you.”
Tracy said she is currently in a daily 12 step programme and told fans she’s recovered from “many addictions” including anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism and drugs.
She thanked her friends in fellowships around the world for supporting.
Tracy, who played Maxine Peacock, pictured in 1995Credit: News UK Ltd
The star said she has struggled with losing some of her hair as a result of the cancer but added: “I am truly grateful that I have this opportunity to hopefulyl be free from cancer as well.”
She also thanked fans for sending messages asking if she was OK after taking time away from social media for Lent to be more present.
Tracy’s soap character Maxine arrived on the cobbles in 1995 as a friend of Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin).
However, she betrayed her pal by having a one-night stand with Fiona’s boyfriend – Steve MacDonald.
A year after making her Weatherfield debut, she was awarded the Rear of the Year title.
In the soap, Maxine married butcher Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and they welcomed a son named Joshua.
She also ended up having a baby with the local doctor – despite being married to Ashley.
Maxine has overcome numerous addiction battles in her lifeCredit: instagram/@tracy.k.shaw
How to check your breasts
IT is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes.
Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast, you should always consult your GP.
Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
Five-step check
There is a five-step self exam you can do at home to check for any changes.
Step one: Begin by looking in a mirror, facing it with your arms on your hips and your shoulders straight. You should be looking for any dimpling, puckering, bulging skin, redness, soreness, a rash or changes to the nipple.
Step two: Still looking in the mirror, raise both arms above your head and check for the same changes.
Step three: With your arms still above your head, check for any fluid coming from the nipples. This can include milky, yellow or watery fluid, or blood.
Step four: While lying down, use your opposite hand to check each breast. Using a few fingers, keeping them flat and together, go in a small circular motion around your breasts. Make sure you feel the entire breast by going top to bottom in these small circles. It helps to develop a system or pattern to make sure every inch is covered. Use light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and firm pressure to feel the tissue at the back, feeling down to your ribcage.
Step five: Feel your breasts while either standing or sitting, using the same small circular motions.
