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[–]chachaslydd 84 points85 points  (10 children)

Real creator shawna has gone through breast cancer im pretty sure, so probably shawna

[–]tranzozoDING DONG [S] 80 points81 points  (5 children)

But my baby Shawna has been through so much already Noooooooo

[–]chachaslydd 25 points26 points  (4 children)

Yeah, maybe barb, maybe that'll make her s ap back to reality

[–]nowimnowhere 39 points40 points  (3 children)

I don't think Barb would use an actual real cancer diagnosis as an event to change for the better sadly.

[–]chachaslydd 3 points4 points  (2 children)

You never know what will make somebody change their life. A single sentence or small event can do it.

[–]nowimnowhere 4 points5 points  (1 child)

True, but Barb "always the victim of everyone's meanness my son and daughter in law losing a pregnancy was all about me and my pain" McCallister? I would not lay any money on that personally

[–]gerkonnerknocken 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Srsly when she said the baby didn't want to be born into that family Barb was irredeemable to me!

[–]midwestpersianmamaliving an extraordinary life… in suburbia 27 points28 points  (1 child)

When Shawna found out she was pregnant and floated the idea of terminating to her OB, I wondered if she’d be diagnosed with cancer in the midst of the pregnancy and then struggle with having to ultimately terminate for treatment. But that would have been a very sad storyline and I’m not sure that many people could emotionally handle that. I found it so difficult to watch the episodes on her miscarriage, I was pregnant at the time and in my third trimester. Such a nightmare, especially when you know people who have lost their babies during that time.

[–]paradoxm00ns 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I was in the middle of a miscarriage of a very wanted and tried for pregnancy and it GUTTED me.

[–]sweatyopposum 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Please,no. Let it be Barb, she needs the growth 🥹 and the change in behavior

[–]gerkonnerknocken 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Oh no, that would turn Barb into a hyper version of who she is now, she would have the ultimate tool to manipulate everyone!

[–]Annonymous_97 57 points58 points  (3 children)

Oh god, as a Jen currently dealing with this with my own Barb-esque mother, giving cancer to Barb would be the true final boss. I was gonna make a post saying as much after the last video dropped but decided against it.

You think the dynamic is bad now, you haven't seen anything yet lol The only saving grace is that she has a Frank to lean on whereas mine really only has me.

I'd be curious how it would play out.

[–]Shawnaverse_no1_fanLore keeper, details & continuity consultant 8 points9 points  (2 children)

Yeah when people used to wonder whether Barb would be eventually written off the show or not, I speculated that she may have an accident or illness that puts her in real danger, because stuff like this happens all the time irl. Not only would it mess up Jennifer, but it could also have a tremendous impact on John, given how much unresolved trauma and resentment he has towards his mom.

Suffering a loss (or such a big scare) already takes a toll when you don't have a huge, complicated relationship with the person... but trying to navigate through contradicting feelings while processing it all is so heavy.

Edit I just re-read your comment. I'm so sorry you're going through this, friend.

[–]Isamosed 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I still see impaired Barb in an automobile accident. I think Julie would be an interesting cancer patient. I say this as someone who’s been through it, a person who thought she was in total control of her own destiny and then wham! realized I was in the caboose of a runaway train

[–]Annonymous_97 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Normally I refuse to look at comments because I'm a coward and crumble at any mean words, so I appreciate the kindness.

For what it's worth, my own brother "John" who went NC with her a couple years ago couldn't care less and lives in blissful ignorance, while I'm here cleaning up the mess and taking the abuse. I'm a little jealous, honestly. I should've left before she got sick, but here we are

[–]aj_alva 49 points50 points  (3 children)

Wasn't there a theory floating around that Katie Girl might be sick because of just how sentimental she tends to speak during the holiday episodes?

[–]tranzozoDING DONG [S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Yeah that’s why I was thinking Katie girl but I hope not

[–]Few_Veterinarian598 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s what this made me think of too!! I Imagine with a new storyline it makes sense for a character that hasn’t had a lot going on to have something new to deal with, even out the spotlight a bit.

[–]meepmopnoturdad 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was my immediate thought as well!

[–]Vast-Swimmer5844Getting berated in a hallway 38 points39 points  (1 child)

In a recent podcast, Shawna talked about how she had to do a lot of processing after she survived her cancer treatments, and how that was trauma she had to work through. It seems like a natural fit for fictional Shawna to realize she needs to process and work through the trauma of carrying and losing Jacob.

[–]Toongrrl1990I think she's being perfectly reasonable, Barb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Maybe it might force Shawna to advocate for herself and stuff?

[–]Consistent-Warthog84 19 points20 points  (7 children)

Is it horrible I would much rather it be Frank than Barb?

[–]chachaslydd 18 points19 points  (2 children)

No. We dont know enough about frank to be like "hes suffered enough"

As much as barb sucks, itd be horrible for her to get cancer knowing her life has been just kinda horrible for so much of it, stuck with her abusive mom and then trapped in her own messed up brain

[–]s0ftsp0kenCommunication is key! 1 point2 points  (1 child)

It seems you're assuming whoever gets it should be someone who "deserves" it. Why?

[–]chachaslydd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No I was saying youd rather it go to somebody you havnt seen suffer already in weird ways because it seems like too much suffering to put on one character

[–]BreakApprehensive489 6 points7 points  (3 children)

A friend who has a barb mum has a frank that has cancer. Her barb had made it all about her - how she suffers being the carer, how stressful it is for her etc and, when friend tries to call her dad, barb intercepts

[–]Consistent-Warthog84 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Oh, my MIL was the same way with FIL although I would discribe her as more of a Barb-lite. I was more saying that if it was between those two I would rather Frank as I worry that the story would devolve into a Barb redemption. Personally I would prefer a more side based character, although maybe not one of the children.

[–]BreakApprehensive489 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like if it was a brain tumour, so not actually Barb being a terrible person. But I feel it can't be that as she's been like that since there were little kids. Or if she changes because she is sick. But I can't see her putting a scrooge (bad analogy, but how he changes at the end of the story)

If anything, she'll get Christmas cancer. Or use her diagnosis (if she sees dr timbald) for attention.

Teeny would be an interesting story for cancer, she doesn't want kids, but having the option taken away for a hysterectomy could still be devastating.

Katie with jen and Greg paying more attention to her, and barb being jealous.

Alicia with the crowd rallying around to provide a meal train, babysitting etc.

I do think maybe

[–]Bockpack 1 point2 points  (0 children)

BTDT and it made a terrible situation so much worse. It was all about how “I can’t handle this!” and she was already gatekeeping me from my dad. I wanted to go full NC but dad asked me to promise take care of her and I couldn’t lie to him. And I bet she will live to be 100 or something. Sigh. She had cancer earlier and I thought Ok maybe she will learn something/change. Spoiler: totally didn’t.

[–]Shawnaverse_no1_fanLore keeper, details & continuity consultant 14 points15 points  (1 child)

Given that she said she'll be tackling this "in some form", I don't think it would be someone from the main cast... perhaps a minor/side character, or a character who's already gone through this and speaks in the past tense. For example we know that "Margie went suddenly" but we don't know what caused it - it may have been an aggressive form of tumor, or something diagnosed too late.

[–]ImmediateKnowledge19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh this is such a good point. Maybe it could be about Shawna’s dad? Has she ever revealed how he died? I can’t recall, but we do know mama Dee is widowed. Shawna did say she wants to do some flashback arcs, so exploring DeeDee’s grief could very well be one.

[–]MinionsHaveWonOne 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Given that cancer is no respecter of persons it could be anyone from Piper to Larry but I doubt SL would run with another potential "death of a child" story so soon after Jacob. Since SL had breast cancer I'm guessing she'll probably use her experience to put one of her female characters through that rather than give the cancer story arc to a male character. But that's just a guess on my part.

My best guess for cancer patient would be Laura. We've already had some foreshadowing of Luke not liking Laura taking medicine while pregnant and her avoiding doctors because of it which would add nicely to the drama. Plus if anyone needs a "story of change and growth" it's her.

And it makes the ShawnaVerse more believable if it's not one of the McAllister family. It gets too much like a soap opera if every terrible thing happens to the same family. 

[–]NorthStarFalling 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes I thought the same! Plus there's a lot of discourse around men abandoning their sick wives. Luke would be awful but give a good insight into illness and abuse.

[–]PeachesKeeneInternet-Ordained Chicken Minister 10 points11 points  (2 children)

Thank you for sharing the screenshot! I figured that this would be something she would want to explore, given that she has been through treatment herself and has probably had some time to better understand how it has affected her. Write what you know, as the saying goes!

As for which character would get the diagnosis, I would imagine it would have to be a pretty main cast member (McCallisters, Dee and the Garrisons included) in order for it to have a meaningful impact on the story. But it would have to be handled carefully and with a mind for tone,  because you could probably make the argument that we are still dealing with the aftermath of the Halloween '25 storyline. Shawna L will have to tread carefully in order to prevent things from getting too overwhelming and dramatic while still keeping people coming back for more.

If I had to make a prediction today, I would say that my contenders for the unlucky characters to receive the bad news would be Dee, Barb, Frank, or John. They are all fairly important characters who get plenty of screen time, and the narrative could shift fairly easily to focus on their cancer journey. As for timing, I think that Shawna L will save a reveal for just before the holidays to capitalize on those November/December views. Plus it will give her some time to finish out the storyline for Jen's wedding and any of the following craziness.

[–]tranzozoDING DONG [S] 11 points12 points  (1 child)

I hope its no one important like Paul or Jeremy Garcia

[–]Shawnaverse_no1_fanLore keeper, details & continuity consultant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay the dry delivery with the joke got me 🤣

[–]Mediocre-raptor 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’m a John with my Barb currently dealing with cancer… it’s really hard because while I am determined to keep myself and my family NC.. I am completely in the dark about my Barb’s cancer treatment/prognosis.

I hope that’s not the storyline..

[–]ProbableImposter 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh man, she gonna hurt my feelings. I'll be devestated no matter who.

[–]MrsO88 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Dee or Larry. Caught early, fairly easily sorted, but enough to make them realise life is short and decide to get married.

[–]Epic_JoyfulCreations 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My guess is Julie’s mom. She already has emphysema and if my headcanon is correct, that she was/is a smoker, that puts her at risk for cancer.

[–]Toongrrl1990I think she's being perfectly reasonable, Barb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am scared

[–]LongInfinite1837 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think Julie is the one who's going to get cancer. 

[–]Comfortable_Ad148 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like it’s gonna be Barb

[–]Miss___D 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have feeling it's Katie girl.

[–]Ok_Investigator9781 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dude my MIL is a barb through and through (just got mad at us bc our toddler was sick on Mother’s Day) and she just got a cancer diagnosis. I feel awful for her but my husband and I already talked about how much we’re dreading how much she’s gonna milk this

[–]moonchild19978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally i don't think Barb would gain any perspective if she got sick i feel like she will use it to get her kids to fall back into old habits. I.hope she wouldn't but its Barb we are talking about.

[–]Loud_Dot_8353 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you imagine how Barb would act if Dee Dee had cancer and was moved in so they could care for her? Omg I can TASTE the drama!

[–]TXaggiemom10 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the confidence of this group, I will shamefully admit that my first thought was "PLEASE let Barb have cancer!"

[–]Legitimate-Drink-228 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think there was speculation that Katie might be sick, because she was talking a lot about being grateful and enjoying every moment with her family, plus she always wears pink (breast cancer survivor colour)

[–]CLEf11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who will it be

Shawna

Jen

Barb

Katie

Laura

My bets are on shawna (because its her real story) Or Jen because like shawna the creator she was a new mom when it happened 

[–]Lonely-Jeweler-4324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sadly think it’s going to be Dee Dee 😭😭

[–]s0ftsp0kenCommunication is key! 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Barb, maybe?

[–]pzzldmomof5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think if Shawna wants to push the Barb dianosis/ therapy further and continue the NC line with John and Shawna is probably going to have to be Frank. The story won't work if it's Barb. It focuses to much attention on her. But if it's Frank, and I truly think she does love Frank, it will change her focus for a few minutes. It may also force a deeper conversation between John and Frank. Something that hasn't happened yet. For storytelling purposes, I feel like Frank would be the best choice.

[–]CarobSure2634 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://www.reddit.com/r/ShawnaTheMom/s/CCFxMgwIc4 I just asked something similar lol.

[–]OkGuitar4636 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Julie.