There has already been a BC storyline in a soap - Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders a few years back.
I’m not that sure I will be watching this but it’s not because of the BC angle, it’s because I cannot stand the character of Sally Webster. I truly loathe her. I can remember as far back as her joining the soap when she was really nasty to Hilda Ogden. I think the writers have always tried to justify the character’s behaviour on account of her having had an alcoholic father who left her mum practically destitute.
Still, I hope it is handled sensitively for anyone who is following it.
i agree in one way that the storyline MUST be reality as it is for all of us going throught this at the moment ,and yes some husbands dont stand by thier wives (like mine ) hopefully we will get the real life changing story ,but i think it will be slightly sugar coated ,as are all soap stories regarding illness .we all need to tell them eaxactly just how it is to live with the disfigurement and loss of confidence it can bring .i went through the fec chemo and the loss of hair and boob ,so know how your feeling ,but there can be hope ,im 3 years post treatments and also have liver involvment but im still here and fighting hard ,never give up . we wait and see !
I e-mailed david Nugent and got back that they have filmed most of the scenes already! i did tell him there would be an out cry on here if they don’t get it right!
Ohhh noooo! I know the soaps like to cover ‘topical’ storylines but when I switch on the telly I like to relax and don’t want to be reminded of what I’ve been through nor of the worries I face on a daily basis since diagnosis. I’m sure they will handle it sensitively, but no doubt it will drag on over months… I feel a churning in the pit of my stomach already. So for me I will not watch… it’ll bring back too many bad memories and I know will have a detrimental affect on my morale. ‘Sally’ will have the benefit of knowing what the script writers have in store for her… we don’t have that luxury
hi all another email on the way to itv i hope they get ir right 4 their sakes lol i have explained i think they should talk to us real ladys who have been through it but obviously they will do what they want take care all
hi all another email on the way to itv i hope they get it right 4 their sakes lol i have explained i think they should talk to us real ladys who have been through it but obviously they will do what they want take care all
Hi i don’t watch corrie but i do hope they DO IT PROPERLY for their sakes.Their timing could have been better people really don’t want this over christmas,i know it will never be a "good"time but a bit more thought should have gone into this.Will follow comments on this site and listen to friends who watch it.
My husband and family have been very supportive and new friends(we have only been in this area for 2 years)Times like this you really find who your true friends are.
Good luck and onwards and upwards,positive thoughts.boatgirl xx
this was my reply i think he must have a standard email already typed out
Dear Laura,
Thank you for your e-mail. Coronation Street takes its responsibility to the public very seriously and is aware of the contentious nature of this particular storyline. We went to great lengths to get this subject factually correct, so we feel confident that our thorough research, combined with the sensitivity of the writing and the quality of the acting we will do this subject justice. Once again many thanks for your e-mail over a subject you must find difficult to write about. Yours with Best Wishes, David.
Anenglishrose, I have just read your post and feel exactly the same as you do, I am sure we all wish could reenact our very real illnes and make it not so real, I to am dreading this over xmas… like you say watching TV sometimes is our only form of escapism… I think the timing is completely unforgiveable for us and our families and loved ones. I hope Mr Nugent is very proud of himself. XxX
I don’t want to upset anyone on this thread but imagine if there were no storylines based on real things/illnesses that happen to real people. What I mean is that dramas and soaps often feature illnesses or disorders such as alcoholism,or schizophrenia or dementia and these are equally traumatic and will no doubt touch nerves with people and families affected by them - if everyone took offence then there’d be little to watch on tv.
God knows I’m all for raising awareness… factual not dramatics… there are more than enough documentaries and high profile people that have experienced BC… its not difficult to understand that I DONT want it in my face at Xmas time based on some family whose hubby is playing away from home… the context stinks. I’m perfectly entitled to my own personal opinion!! and understand not all will agree. XxX
Hi, I have to agree with Chipper’s post 2 above…I no longer watch Corrie, I used to but all the old faces are gone and it’s lost it’s way. (for me anyway)
But if story lines like this help others like juliet66’s daughter (see page 2 here) feel less alone I think as long as it is handled sensitively and realistically, it may even, hopefully, be a good thing?
xx
Hello, I was reading through this thread and was going to say exactly what Chipper said about story lines based on reality.
I find Coronation Street to be intelligently written and haven’t been dissapointed yet by them mishandling any subject that I have had first hand knowledge of. I’m sure (hope) they have researched carefully and finger crossed that it’s delivered with realism.
Know this is not to do with corrie but did not know where else to put it. I have just finished reading an autobiography by Rebekah Gibbs called “because of you” and it is well worth reading. I got it from my library and feel it is very well written.She was the technician in casualty and when she left to start a family found a lump in her breast and had a job convincing docs that it was not “just a blocked milk duct”. The story takes you through all her treatment and is very honest.Maybe some of you might enjoy reading it. Joyce xx
scobie i have read that too and found it very interesting and reasuring, mirrored lots of my thought and feelings. i’ve just been passed ‘even the eyelashes’ by sharon morrison, looks like a good read x
just wanted to add, ‘even the eyelashes’ was a brilliant read (done and dusted in one evening) ideal for newly diagnosed. explains BC and treatments in plain english x
hollymeg went into library today and they could not find that title but think it is “even the eyebrows” by sharon Morrison and they are try to get it in for me. Thanks again Joyce xx
There isn’t even a remote chance of a wholly accurate storyline about breast cancer, in Coronation Street or any other soap opera because we’ve never seen one yet!
Even the production teams for Casualty and Holby City make mistakes despite appointing medical advisers.
I personally disapprove of any in depth discussion of breast cancer while the small children of breast cancer patients might be watching. The 9pm watershed will provide very little protection during school holidays when children often have later bedtimes balanced by later rising times.
The patient needs to assess for themselves with perhaps help from suitable medical advisers, exactly what they say to their children. I opted for giving my young daughter simple but accurate replies while I was going through primary breast cancer treatment and she seemed happy with that.
When I was diagnosed with secondaries, she was obviously older and had a better understanding of how truthful answers are not always complete answers and that I had to a certain extent,shielded her from worrying.She told me I made the right decision then, but she wanted fuller answers this time. Every child is different and I took my cues from knowing my own child, her reactions to what I’d said and to a limited extent,my Psychology degree.
I don’t watch Coronation Street and won’t be making any special effort to watch it because of this storyline. Maybe I’m not feeling public spirited enough, but I’ve done my fair share of complaining for the year (my complaint about The One Show fell on deaf ears) and I want to relax and unwind this Christmas.
I may not even be in this country as I often go away at Christmas seeking a warmer climate (which helps my bone pain) and a good spa (because in the UK you have to lie through your teeth to get much more than a manicure if you have cancer in your medical history).