Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw became tearful during an A&E visit as she shared the difficulties of attending hospital while undergoing cancer treatment.
The 52-year-old, who portrayed Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap between 1995 and 2003, was admitted after experiencing repeatedly high temperatures following chemotherapy.
Speaking from her hospital bed on Instagram, Ms Shaw explained she had delayed seeking medical attention due to the hot weather, which had taken a toll on her body.
"It isn't easy coming in when we have cancer because there are a lot of people with - I'm not disregarding it - minor things, and some have just drank too much," she said.
The former Coronation Street actress praised NHS staff after being admitted with a high temperature
|The actress grew emotional as she described the challenge of navigating busy hospital departments with a severely weakened immune system.
Ms Shaw revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in April, disclosing that she would require five months of chemotherapy after testing positive for HER2.
"Originally, I was going to have surgery in two weeks, but because my results have come back that I am HER2 positive, it means I have to have chemo for five months," she explained at the time.
The actress outlined that surgery to remove lumps and lymph glands would follow, with potential additional procedures before radiotherapy.
The actress revealed she had delayed going to A&E despite feeling unwell during her chemotherapy treatment
| GETTYHer treatment journey has been marked by significant setbacks.
Earlier in the week, Ms Shaw posted on social media describing her ordeal six days after chemotherapy, revealing she had developed shingles with blisters alongside the usual side effects.
"You were right, it's definitely a s**t show," she wrote.
Ms Shaw also voiced her frustration at conditions within the hospital during the ongoing heatwave, noting that the air conditioning was not functioning.
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She recounted an incident involving workmen outside her room, describing how one became "really rude" to a nurse who asked if she could close the door for the patient's protection.
"He felt like he had a job to do, and he'd put his work bag on the bin which was holding my door open," Ms Shaw said.
The actress, who typically wears a mask due to her compromised immunity, expressed concern that nobody around her was taking similar precautions.
When three workers entered her room without masks to check the air conditioning, Shaw insisted they return only with face coverings.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Ms Shaw expressed deep gratitude for the care she received from medical staff.
"Anyway, thank you to the NHS and all the staff. They've been amazing, and they have been able to put me in a separate room for now.
"It's really important to try and protect us," she said.
Ma Shaw has been sharing regular updates on her cancer journey with her Instagram followers
| INSTAGRAMThe former soap star, who also enjoyed a brief music career and appeared in programmes including Casualty and Doctors, paid tribute to healthcare workers battling through the extreme temperatures.
"Yesterday in A&E, I watched the nurses doctors and staff work incredibly hard in the heat with no aircon.
"Everyone who is working in hospitals today I salute you," she said.