In recent Coronation Street scenes, Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) received a tragic diagnosis and heartrendingly sobbed as one of his symptoms persisted.
As his physicians are unable to identify the underlying source of the problem, Paul has been experiencing gripping difficulties with his right hand for a number of weeks. He is now in a challenging situation where he must deal with debt and his inability to work.
Paul’s doctor advised him that they intended to refer him to a specialist who would conduct a Motor Neurone Disease test in tonight’s (April 5) episode of the ITV soap opera (MND).
He is advised that they will do MND testing. When this plot was revealed, Peter Ash provided an explanation. “Paul doesn’t really know what it is, so he has to question a little bit, and the consultant says these would be the signs if it is MND. I think from that moment on he just goes into shock, really.”
Having been given some part-time employment by Nick Tilsley, he works his first shift as a kitchen porter at the Bistro after leaving the hospital (Ben Price).
He finds himself Googling MND, indicating that his attention is not on his work.
In his own opinion, Paul is not at all optimistic about it. He sort of believes he has it. Paul believes that is what it is, even though he hasn’t been informed he has it yet and has just been told that they are testing for it.
That makes sense; he says that there’s more going on than simply a typical injury. His whole life is turned upside down as it starts to sink in.
After his work, he meets Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) for dinner, but is alarmed when Bernie Winter (Jane Hazelgrove) extends an invitation despite knowing that he won’t be able to pay.
He confides in Summer after becoming upset, grudgingly allowing her to pay for the lunch and explaining that he had to go to the hospital.
He was unable to tell her what the neurologist had really stated, opting to instead say that they were unsure of when he would be able to return to work.
Later that night, he revealed his inability to sleep to partner Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), but once again he kept the real cause to himself.
Paul tried to reach for a glass of water as Billy got back into bed.
After failing to understand it a second time, he sobbed in tears out of worry for what the future would bring.
Will Paul continue to handle this on his own or will he open out to his loved ones before his tests?
