Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw has shared an emotional update on her breast cancer journey, posting a video of herself crying and declaring she is 'still standing' after her second chemotherapy session.
Second chemo session 'hit hard'
The actress, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap from 1995 to 2003, revealed her diagnosis earlier this year and has been documenting her treatment on social media. In a recent Instagram post, she admitted the second round of chemotherapy 'hit hard' but expressed gratitude for the intense side effects.
'Grateful chemo is hitting hard because imagine how the HER2 positive cancer feels,' she wrote. 'I'm still standing.' The post included a video of her crying, along with several photos.
Outpouring of support from fans and fellow actors
The comments section was flooded with well-wishes, including from EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin, who wrote: 'Oh my darlin.' Other followers shared their own experiences with chemotherapy and cancer.
Earlier this month, Shaw appeared on Lorraine to explain why she chose to share her journey publicly. 'It isn't an easy path,' she said. 'I'm only sharing it because there are millions of ladies and gentlemen who are going through the same thing and it's just not a very nice piece of the disease, chemo really.'
Helping others through shared experience
Shaw noted that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family. 'The whole family and all the people who are following and messaging at the moment – those mothers with sons, younger sons or with sons my age, the family members are messaging. Sometimes just by me sharing about what the effects are, they understand how that person might be feeling, because you don't know.'
During the interview, Lorraine Kelly praised Shaw for speaking out. Shaw revealed that some women had been diagnosed after following her posts. 'It's quite remarkable that when we do speak out, we do help others,' she reflected.
Remembering Maxine Peacock
Soap fans remember Shaw for her iconic role as Maxine Peacock, who was killed by serial killer Richard Hillman in 2003. In one of the show's most memorable scenes, Hillman told her she 'should have stayed at the party'.
