Neighbourhood Watch
Ill Health
When we farewelled Neighbours in 2005, long-time Erinsborough favourite Steph Scully had just made a shocking discovery: the mum-to-be found a new lump in her breast.
Steph (Carla Bonner) was understandably horrified, as was her devoted husband, Max (Stephen Lovatt). Viewers will remember that some years back, Steph bravely waged a difficult battle against breast cancer – a battle that she and Max fully believed she had won.
But when Neighbours returns, Steph learns, in a devastating development, that the lump is malignant. Her breast cancer has returned, and the prognosis is scary.
“Steph told Max about the lump straight away this time, whereas last time, she kept her condition secret from him for a long time,” explains Carla.
Several months pregnant with her long-awaited first child, Steph will face an agonising choice: should she let the doctors begin chemotherapy treatment – which she believes may affect the health of her unborn baby – or wait until after the baby is born, possibly placing her own life in danger?
Peter Dodds says that the heart-rending development has come at a terrible moment for Steph and Max.
“This couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Hoyland’s,” he says. “They’ve had their fair share of woes over the last year in terms of adoption and trying all sorts of ways to extend their family. The cancer reappearing is a very unfortunate piece of timing. It’s another burden that’s placed in their way, which is a major hurdle for them to overcome.”
Carla predicts that her character will “go into denial” about the disease. “All of her focus and energy will have to go on the baby – the baby’s survival, and the baby’s health,” she hints.
“Steph has wanted this baby for so long, so she may make a decision to ensure the baby’s health and wellbeing is safe. I don’t think Steph could ever forgive herself if something happened to the baby.”
What’s more, we can reveal that the relationship between Steph and Max looks set to become increasingly strained by this shock turn of events.
Could their marriage, long regarded as one of the most stable and happiest in Ramsay Street, be under threat in 2006? Stay tuned!