Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw, who famously played Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap opera, has provided an update on her breast cancer battle after completing her first day of chemotherapy. The actress, who announced her diagnosis last month, took to Instagram to share her experience and reveal that she plans to shave off her hair and donate it to charity.
First Chemotherapy Session
In a video posted on Instagram, Shaw told her followers that her initial treatment session lasted over eight hours. She 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 explained that the delay was due to a medication delivery issue, not the hospital team. '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,' she added.
Side Effects and Positivity
Despite the challenges, Shaw remains positive but noted some side effects. '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,' she shared.
Hair Donation and Wig Shopping
Following her decision to cut her hair for The Little Princess Trust, Shaw has been exploring wig options. She posted clips online of herself trying on various wigs, supported by a Macmillan nurse who also offered guidance to others going through similar experiences.
Emotional Struggles
Earlier this month, Shaw opened up about the emotional toll of her journey. '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 confessed.
Support from Followers
Shaw has received an outpouring of support online as she documents her journey. Many of her recent posts focus on how waking up each day is a 'gift'. The actress continues to inspire her followers with her bravery and openness.
