Emmerdale airs powerful scenes as Faith Dingle has palliative care meeting

 Faith has started planning for her final days.

Emmerdale has aired powerful scenes as Faith Dingle had her first palliative care meeting.

The soap is exploring breast cancer with Faith in a gripping storyline that is expected to run through Emmerdale's 50th-anniversary episodes later this year.

In Monday's episode (22 August), Chas shared her concern with Eric Pollard that Faith had seemed more "tired" than usual in the last few days.

Their conversation was cut short when palliative care nurse Patricia arrived for a meeting with Faith and Chas. Patricia explained that the goal was putting together a plan of action for Faith and the family.

Faith pushed back a bit after admitting she was now feeling pain at all times, especially after Patricia suggested she no longer tackle the stairs and mostly stay on ground level at home.

After a few jokes from Faith, Chas snapped at her to take things more seriously. Faith convinced Chas to let her finish up with Patricia alone.

That's when she truly spoke about how much she's been struggling. In tears, Faith opened up about how she's so "tired" of pretending she's fine for the rest of the family's sake.

"[Everything] just reminds me that my last day is barreling towards me and there is nothing I can do about it," she explained to Patricia. "Now, don't get me wrong. I know what's in the future for me and I've accepted it.

"It doesn't mean to say I'm happy about it. But I am worried about what it's going to do to people I've left behind."

Patricia comforted Faith by saying what "living each day like it's your last" really means is trying to tie up loose ends and make sure there are no regrets.

I'm not talking about the past. I'm talking about here and now," Patricia pointed out. "If you really are worried about leaving your loved ones behind, then do something about it."

Patricia encouraged Faith not to waste her energy putting on a front. It would be better to make a list of practical things she needs to get her life in order and make things as comforting as possible with the family.

"Focus it on things you can control," Patricia added. "You might not be able to take the pain away, but you may be able to ease it. Even a little."

Later, Pollard stopped by to assure Faith that a to-do list is a "jolly good" idea and they shared a drink together.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.