Overview
- Shaw, who revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in April, posted on Instagram that she was taken to A&E on Sunday after severe side effects ten days after a chemotherapy cycle.
- She described thrush in her mouth, nose and ears, persistent diarrhoea, bone marrow pain, extreme fatigue and loss of taste that have left her with "no strength left."
- Medical staff told her she was stable but gave further prescriptions; Shaw said a local chemist initially had one of the medicines out of stock and a neighbour helped collect replacements.
- Her treatment plan changed after tests showed the tumour is HER2-positive, which typically requires systemic targeted therapy and chemotherapy first, with surgery planned after several months of treatment.
- Shaw has relied on Instagram peers, neighbours and her son for practical support, and former Coronation Street colleagues and fans have posted public messages of encouragement while she continues treatment.