not sure how many of you are eastenders fans, but I wondered if anyone had watched last nights episode? Personally, I found the way the whole ‘shirley gettin her biopsy results’ storyline was dealt with was really good and well thought out. Everything she said prior to getting her results was absolutely spot on as far as my expercience goes. I have felt and thought everything that was mentioned in the episode. Scared about what they’re pumping into you when you have chemo, afraid that everyone will stare with looks of sympathy when you go out in a head scarf, sick of people telling you how brave you are…and so on.
I’d be really interested to see if anyone else caught the episode, and if so what you thought of it. It actually left me speechless, which is a rarity for me!! I’m keen to see how this storyline progresses if Shirley finds out tonight that she does have bc.
Obviously I know its just a soap opera, but I am mighty impressed to be honest.
i knew the whole breast cancer was coming for weeks and i was dreading it, but i agree last nights episode wasnt too bad and actually mimicked what i have and am thinking.
im glad my husband watched it and i hope the rest of the family were too, i think they maybe able to understand it abit more from my perspective.
and I thought exactly the same thing! I watched it with my OH, and was ‘glad’ that I did. Also many friends and family are 'enders fans and I’m ‘pleased’ they saw it. I definately felt it would ‘help’ them understand things a little more from my perspective,
When I started chemo, my hair fell out during EE! I really don’t like this programme as I used to live on the edge of E London and found EE depressed me. Also my other half is a genuine EE and he pretty much banned it as he says it’s nothing like the EE therefore an insult lol!
They did a BC storyline involving Peggy Mitchell a few years back.
I live in Plaistow and don’t usually watch east enders as it is nothing like my experience of the area but I did catch the Shirley bc episode this time for some strange reason and it made a change to have some realism for once - I too thought it was spot on.
So pleased it’s a little sunnier today! How is everyone feeling? Kelly - how you doing post scary heart? Been thinking of you.
I am pleased it is shirley if it had to be anyone as I think that actress is really good (can’t think of her name!). I found it strange as I was so sure there was nothing wrong with me that I didn’t have a dread in the same way which seems utterly ridiculous now. But you are so right about the bravery thing, and also what she said about everyone in your corner “fighting cancer” when this is something that drives me slightly nuts - we all do our best, we’re not super heroes and none of this is down to a failing of will or trying hard enough on our part!!
Is interesting to watch it in a drama when you’ve been living it for last year! Do you know if she gets the all clear?
I just watched a repeat of Eastenders here in Ireland. I was doing a few bits and bobs and wasn’t giving it my full attention. I know it’s a drama, with the emphasis being on the drama or melodrama but she was just going to get the biopsy results and has not been diagnosed with cancer. I could identify more with what she is going through if she had been diagnosed. I guess everyone reacts differently at different stages. xx
As they did the Peggy BC story line a few years back, I wouldn’t mind betting there will not be such a positive outcome for Shirley (if she has it) in a similar manner to the Siobhan/Ruth saga on the Archers. Siobhan very quickly died from brain mets whilst Ruth has just had her recon and is doing well years after the event.
Hi on a similiar subject i just happened to flick to desperate housewifes a couple of weeks ago and saw one of them was coping with cancer! i think the program is quite good with dealing with it, they dont go into the med side of it much but some female sides of it has been dealt with in a sense of humour way which has left me laughing not feeling depressed!!!
Anna
Hi, I goto say the desperate housewives cancer story has been so easy to watch, I find the eastenders storyline uncomfortable and depressing to the point that I dont think Im going to watch this week, maybe I just like to see the light hearted side of this terrible disease, its nice to smile about wig ‘incidents’ and annoying husbands!!!
Hi, I am finding the Desperate Housewives storyline really good. I was so annoyed when the storyline of Lynette’s cancer happened last year as I was just diagnosed, about to start chemo and the mother was telling her that she’d be curled in a ball in the corner puking into a bucket. It absolutely terrified me! But now I am finding it being dealt with really well, but there seems to have not been any mention of how her kids feel, surely they should have something to say about it?
The Eastenders story on the other hand is just annoying me! As mentioned Shirley has not been diagnosed with BC, she is supposed to be getting her biopsy results. It’s pretty depressing really, although I admit that her emotions are played really well as she is voicing all the concerns we have had.
Hi all, well i have also found the whole Shirley thing very annoying…not my experience at all. Biopsy results through post after some time and then to go to hospital seems very odd to me - maybe my hospital is just good!
I did agree with her comments regarding hair etc but as she has not been disgnosed or even gone in for results it all seems a bit odd to me.
There did seem to be a long delay in biopsy results, and not an appointment to go back the following week for results. She’s acting like you can pop in for results any time you like! And agree with Jan, very previous in talking about side effects and treatment when she doesn’t even know what it is.
I’ve only been half following the storyline. Am I right in saying she’s told Phil she’s in the clear but she was too chicken to go in and doesn’t really know?
I thought it was reasonably realistic apart from the throwing up in the hospital carpark bit. Hell, she hasn’t even had the chemo yet…
Agree, I missed last week’s episodes but my daughters said she hadn’t gone in for her results.
When recalled from mammo for core biopsies, and eventually told it was BC, I told the breast surgeon I didn’t want anything done, it could run its course. He patiently pointed out that attending routine mammo in the first place, and then attending the recall, indicated that I had sufficient interest in my health to take advantage of the treatment they were offering with a view to enhancing and extending my future. Wise words, and words I’ve replayed time and again during the ‘why am I bothering?’ wobbles - and it’s still early days, there will be many more wobbles to come.
I think it’s unrealistic for Shirley to have gone for the tests and then to be portrayed as chickening out of getting the results that are waiting for her - surely the hospital wouldn’t just let that missed appointment go, without ringing her?
Can’t understand anyone not wanting to get their results and know the worst - what is the point in postponing it? I thought Shirley overacted the situation completely. But that’s just how I am - I couldn’t get back there fast enough so that I knew what I was looking at - yes, I was nervous of course, but common sense must prevail. And it was bad news - got worse every time I went!
However trying to be positive now.
Sarcath