Beverley Callard’s Breast Cancer Journey
Former Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard, known for her role as Liz McDonald, openly shares her breast cancer experience on social media. The 68-year-old revealed her diagnosis during an appearance on Ireland’s Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty and continues treatment in the UK.
Two weeks after surgery to remove lymph nodes as a preventive step, Callard may undergo radiotherapy to target remaining cancer cells. She describes the ordeal as a significant mental challenge.
Emotional Update Before London Event
In a recent video, Callard prepares for a major ITV promotional event in London. She shares: “Well today’s the big day, we’re going off to London for the massive PR thing tomorrow for ITV. I had a great day yesterday, I got everything ready – I’m really organised. The car’s just arrived to take us. We’re staying at an incredibly posh hotel, I’ll send you some photos when we get there!”
Despite her upbeat tone, she admits to emotional ups and downs. Just before filming, doubt struck: “But then I got ready this morning and I just thought ‘I don’t feel like a woman anymore, I feel unfeminine and I shouldn’t be doing this. It’s two weeks since my operation and everybody said it’s too soon and they’re right.”
She pushes through: “So I got shaky and a bit lacking in confidence. Anyway, I’ve pulled myself together, I’m ready, we’re gonna get in the car and I shall be in touch! I hope everybody’s well. I’m thinking of everyone who’s going through this, truly.” Her caption reads: “Off to an event in London, and I must say it’s been a bit of a mental battle to get myself out the door. But I’m doing it.”
One Week Post-Surgery Struggles
A week after the procedure, Callard posts a raw, makeup-free video. Tearfully, she confesses: “Full disclosure, it’s a week today since my operation and I woke up this morning and I put yesterday’s clothes on – which were dropped on the floor last night when I went to bed. I’ve not cleaned my teeth, I’ve not combed my hair. I can’t answer my phone because if somebody says a kind word to me, I just cry.”
Positive News: No Second Surgery Needed
Married to Jon McEwan since 2010, Callard shares encouraging developments. On March 4, she announces: “Well, today has been a great day. I got to the hospital at 9am. Jon came in with me because, if you remember, last week I really didn’t want him to come in when they took the dressings off for the first time.”
Her consultant delivers good news: no second operation required. “Anyway, I saw my consultant, who was truly amazing, and she says I do not need to have the second operation. I’ve still got the massive swelling under my arm, it’s about three inches long and one and half inches wide. But as opposed to being rock hard, it’s begun to soften so they said it’s turning into fluid now so it will slowly just release into my system and then out of my system so I’m really thrilled about that.”
Next steps include results in four weeks to check if all cancer was removed and lymph node status. “So, the next stage, is, in about four weeks, we will find out if she managed to get all the cancer out and we’ll also get the results of whether it was in the lymph nodes or not. If I’m cancer-free, then, a few weeks after that, I will begin radiotherapy. If I’m not cancer-free, then we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. But I have a feeling I will be. I don’t why I have that feeling but I just have.”
