Hi Kirsty,

Its my dear wife that watches the soaps (and therefore subjects me to them ha ha) but one thing I have noticed is that they always seem to get appiontments through quickly which from what I know is not always the case these days. And waiting as we all know is a very stressful time so I dont think that part refects things that accurately. Brian.

Hi Kirsty, 

That's an interesting discussion. I watch Emmerdale and Corrie (not Eastenders though) and as you probably know, Corrie is currently running a storyline about childhood cancer (Fiz's daughter)

In Emmerdale, when Diane's hospital scenes were filmed, it did appear that she and Gordon were the only patients in the waiting room! Not quite as it happens whenever I attend appointments! 

I think the storyline which has affected me most for its accuracy and its attention to the emotional aspects of Cancer, was Hayley Cropper, though I'm not sure whether that was the timing (I'd just found out I was terminally ill) 

I'm sure soap writers research their storylines, but I think the complexities of the illness from the physical to all the emotional aspects of it, are almost impossible to convey within the small time frame that the usual storylines run for. 

It will be interesting to see what others think. 

Best wishes, Jo x

Hi Brian

Thanks for your reply and yes, you're right - the waiting times for appointments are definitely not realistic. Absolutely - waiting and the not knowing is hugely stressful and something that could be better portrayed in the soaps.

Best wishes,

Kirsty

Hi Jo

I watch Corrie and I can't believe I didn't mention it as you so rightly say, Fiz and Tyrone's little girl sadly has cancer. Yes, Hayley's storyline was so emotional and I can only imagine how it was for you at that time. I absolutely agree that it must be very difficult to portray the complexities in a short amount of time. And of course everyone's experience is different so some storylines will resonate with some people and not with others.

I wonder what everyone else thinks?

Kind regards,

Kirsty

Thanks for your reply, Dave. Yes, your experience echoes what Brian said in that appointments always seem to be so quick whereas in reality this is often not the case.

In Corrie at the moment there is also a cancer storyline (which Jo reminded me of) where Fiz and Tyrone's little girl has cancer and actually there is a big focus on finances. Tyrone has got himself into debt (Fiz stopped working so she could be with her little girl) and he wanted to give his family a wonderful Christmas so has got himself into thousands of Pounds of debt. It will be interesting to see if the debt magically disappears after a month or so!

I think Jo makes a really good point: "I'm sure soap writers research their storylines, but I think the complexities of the illness from the physical to all the emotional aspects of it, are almost impossible to convey within the small time frame that the usual storylines run for."

Best wishes,

Kirsty

Hi Kirsty,

Yes, but Tyrone's problems aren't down to Cancer but his use of Payday Loans and Lapland booking holidays he couldn't afford then forgetting to cancel them within the contracted deadline (I've done my research too).

Seriously, he's been portrayed as feckless but in reality they'd probably have hit the financial buffers long ago! Where's the MacMillan benefits advisor when Fiz really needs them? Maybe we should start selling story lines to Corrie?

Cheers

Dave :-)

I think the soaps tend to perpetuate the idea that if you've had the operation, treatment etc. you are cured.    Sometimes they have chemo once or twice and that seems to be it.  I think it is too complex a problem to put into a soap and the storylines can give people unrealistic hopes.

This is true Dave - you have done your research! Perhaps we should all write in or tweet them and let them know the options available to Fiz and Tyrone, in real life :)

Hi Pauline

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I agree with you - it does seem too complex to portray accurately in a soap. Do you think they should avoid cancer storylines altogether in that case?

Best wishes,

Kirsty