Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw broke down in an emotional Instagram video on Tuesday as she prepared to face chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
The 52-year-old, beloved by viewers for her portrayal of Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap between 1995 and 2003, confessed she had spent the morning weeping while contemplating what lies ahead.
Appearing on camera wearing a headscarf, Ms Shaw clarified she had not yet shaved her head but simply hadn’t styled her hair before heading to hospital.
“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 told followers.
Tracy Shaw was flooded with support over the emotional post
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Ms Shaw disclosed that she has been diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, a more aggressive form of the disease characterised by a protein that promotes cancer cell growth.
The mother of two revealed her anxieties about the cancer potentially spreading while she awaits treatment to commence.
“When I wake up and I’ve got really bad headaches or I can feel another twinge in my other boob, I just think ‘Oh, it’s moving!'” she admitted.
Despite her fears, Ms Shaw expressed conflicting emotions about beginning chemotherapy, stating that half of her is eager to start so she knows the tumours are being tackled.
She praised medical advances and charity fundraising that have enabled scientists to develop new treatments, noting that years ago surgeons might simply have removed the cancer, but HER2 is “not one that behaves.”
Ms Shaw drew a stark contrast between her cancer diagnosis and her previous battles with addiction, which she has spoken openly about in the past.
The actress, who has previously overcome anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism and drug dependency, explained that unlike those recoveries, cancer offers no swift resolution.
“All forms of cancer are awful,” she said. “But the fact is when you wake up in the morning and you think ‘It hasn’t gone away.’ It isn’t like the addictions that I’ve recovered from by the grace of God. There appears to be a long road ahead, or a mountain.”
Tracy Shaw at the National Television Awards in 2001
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Rather than becoming overwhelmed, Ms Shaw revealed she has adopted a strategy of focusing only on immediate challenges.
“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,'” she explained.
Ms Shaw’s former Coronation Street colleagues have rallied around her following the devastating news, which she first shared publicly nearly a month ago.
Samia Longchambon, who has portrayed Maria Connor on the cobbles since 2000, posted: “Sending love to you Tracy.”
Sally Ann Matthews, known for her role as Jenny Bradley, added: “Love you baby girl x.”
In a subsequent social media post, Ms Shaw announced she has decided to take control by cutting her hair before chemotherapy claims it.
She wrote: “Tomorrow I will have my hair cut because it’s the only choice I have with cancer, before it takes my hair, my identity away that I’ve had the last 52yrs.
“The fight will continue, Thank you, you’re all wonderful.”