Call the Midwife delivered another poignant and sensitively-handled storyline on Sunday night (April 25th), when a new mother in the care of Nurse Trixie received a shock diagnosis.
The episode saw the return of new mum Fiona Aylward (Jo Hebert), who had previously given birth to a healthy baby boy named Jonathan with the help of Nurse Trixie (Helen George) at the Lady Emily Clinic in Chelsea.
Trixie had been seconded to the private clinic to observe how their systems work and shadow the doctors. Their plan was to rent out midwives and nuns to the clinic in return for a monetary fund in a bid to save Nonnatus House from closure and being demolished. Episode two saw Fiona being brought back to the clinic by her concerned husband Matthew (Olly Rix) after she kept feeling weak and collapsing at home.
After Fiona's bone marrow test, the clinic's boss Mr Scarisbrick delivered the news that she has acute myeloid leukemia - a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Acute leukaemia means it progresses quickly and aggressively, and usually requires immediate treatment - otherwise it can worsen rapidly. Scarisbrick informed Matthew that Fiona is too weak to be transferred to another facility, but a blood transfusion may help.
"Call me naive, but I refuse to give up hope," Matthew tells Mr Scarisbrick.
Fiona and Trixie shared a tender moment when Fiona asked Trixie to write a letter for Matthew her that she would dictate, "just in case" something happened to her. Trixie assures Fiona that they will make the letter "wonderful", however long it takes them to write.
Matthew and Fiona's parents were by Fiona's side as she peacefully passed away. Trixie is taking care of Jonathan outside the room, when Matthew tells her the sad news. Trixie later hands him the letter that Fiona had composed for him.
Fans were left in tears by the emotional and heartbreaking episode, with many complimenting Helen George's moving performance.
"Emotionally drained again after #CallTheMidwife," one viewer tweeted.
"Oh @CallTheMidwife1 you’ve done it again, I’m in bits, heartbreaking storylines performed so beautifully and full of emotion - @helen_george was exceptional tonight, Fiona’s story was just so sad," another added.
Call the Midwife continues on Sunday on BBC One at 8pm.
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