Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw has shared an update on her cancer battle after revealing that doctors had discovered an 'infection in the blood'. The actress, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap from 1995 to 2003, broke down in a previous video about her treatment.
Health Update
Earlier this year, the 52-year-old revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. She has been documenting her journey on social media. Days after an emotional video about the impact of treatment, she explained she had been discharged from hospital while fighting an infection.
In a lengthy video, Shaw said: 'I was let out, last night, from the critical unit because it's better for us as cancer patients to be at home. The microbiologists are super geeking over this germ, infection... They're not quite sure what it is so they're just blasting it with some really strong antibiotics. I'm full of drip at the moment. I'll go back in today to have my second one.'
Gratitude to NHS
She added: 'Basically I've just been sleeping. I'm in safe hands, thank you to the NHS, thank you to all the nurses, thank you to my oncologist team. They are very hot on anything to do with infection when we're going through chemotherapy because it's quite critical. It's just a fact, I'm not making a drama out of this.'
Shaw explained that she felt her body 'really struggling on Sunday' and had blood tests, but was asked to return for more bloodwork. 'So they've taken more bloods, checked my heart and taken more scans. A thorough body check, basically. I'm in safe hands, it isn't pleasant - of course it isn't pleasant,' she continued, pointing out red marks on her skin.
Possible Cause
'Although they can't pinpoint what this is. It looks part of the pox family. I have had chickenpox, I've had measles, maybe this means this is circulating in the area, and I'm just low and susceptible to catching it. Let's hope that the germ they found will do some good to help somebody else be able to have the medicine to recover from it which would be wonderful. Peace and love to you all.'
Alongside the video, she wrote: 'Infection in the blood. Cancer research UK. Without scientists, micro biologists, we wouldn't learn about cancers. THANKYOU NHS. All the staff at the Royal Berkshire hospital. My oncologist team. Couple more days of treatment, I'm in very safe hands.'
Fan Support
Fans offered their support in the comments. One wrote: 'Good morning lovely. You've been in my prayers last night and this morning. Sending you so much love sweetheart. Will be thinking of you having that second drip. You're so right. You're in safe hands.' Another said: 'On top of it all u still smiling sheer strength right there. Sending love.' A third added: 'Your strength and positivity is something else Tracy. Sending you love and support, you've got this!! X.'
Previous Emotional Update
Shaw went public with her diagnosis in April and shared that she would undergo 'five months' of chemo. Last month, she became emotional reflecting on the future, telling fans: '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. I've had a good cry. I'll go in later today and I'll meet some other ladies who will start the treatment with me - chemo. And I'll find out the date. 50% of me wants to get going. I want to know that it's being shrunk and the cancer is being dealt with.'
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
