Call the Midwife appears to have confirmed fans' deepest fears - Sister Monica Joan is facing the end of her life as her health continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate.

The beloved nun, portrayed by Judy Parfitt, has been battling swollen feet, a complete loss of appetite, and overwhelming fatigue, raising serious concerns amongst her fellow residents and companions at Nonnatus House.

Dr. Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann) requested blood tests to uncover the cause of her deteriorating condition, with results subsequently revealing that Sister Monica Joan is afflicted with chronic kidney disease.

He tenderly confessed: "I was hoping it was something that could be treated", whilst Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) acknowledged the condition "takes old people gently, but kindly".

The doctor then solemnly added, "But it takes them", strongly suggesting the nun's death is imminent. He cautioned: "Unless we can persuade her to accept what treatment there is, she'll progress to end-stage renal failure fairly quickly",reports the Mirror.

Despite this, Sister Monica Joan remained firmly opposed to any medical intervention, declaring: "Maybe I do not care to go on for a long time."

The next instalment of series 15 airs on Sunday, 1 March, following a one-week hiatus to accommodate the BAFTA Film Awards. The series wraps up on March 8, with Nurse Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) set to wed Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte) in a celebratory finale.

However, as the season draws to a close, viewers are also likely to witness a final farewell to ailing Sister Monica Joan, now 99, as she isn't anticipated to survive until series 16, given her swift decline.

Should such a devastating moment arrive, it would present the ideal opportunity for Nurse Jenny Lee to return to Nonnatus House to bid goodbye and provide solace to Sister Monica Joan, and here's why.

When Call the Midwife, penned and created by Heidi Thomas, premiered in 2012, the opening scene of the BBC drama showed newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) reaching the deprived Poplar district of London's East End.

Set in 1957, Jenny Lee, attired in a smart suit, felt apprehensive about beginning her medical career alongside an order of nuns as she navigated through the crowded docks and dilapidated streets.

She even witnessed a confrontation between two women, which was halted by Sister Evangelina (Pam Ferris) before they reached the entrance to Nonnatus House.

Jenny Lee nervously pressed the bell, and a severe-looking Sister Monica Joan opened the door. "Hello. I'm Jennifer Lee. I was told to report to the matron in charge", she informed the nun before Sister Monica Joan offered an unusual reply.

"Venus and Saturn are now in alignment. It is entirely appropriate that you should appear", she smiled before adding, "Welcome to Nonnatus House".

Sister Monica Joan subsequently reminded everyone that Jenny Lee wasn't a nun before proudly proclaiming, "We are the Sisters of St Raymond Nonnatus. Midwives and district nurses present at life's commencement and at its end."

The grand introduction to the convent laid the foundation for 14 years of touching and occasionally heartbreaking narratives, humour, and insight, providing the ideal contrast to the grim scenes Jenny Lee had witnessed before their meeting.

A reunion between Jenny Lee and Sister Monica Joan, as the nun approaches the end of her earthly journey, would offer a poignant farewell, bookending the era in precisely the manner the character and series were first presented to audiences 14 years previously.

Sister Monica Joan's concluding moments ought to honour life, contemplate her accumulated wisdom, acknowledge the past, and serve as a tribute to the programme's legacy as time (regrettably) marches forward.

Nurse Jenny Lee departed Poplar after deciding to pursue a different career path at the Marie Curie Hampstead Hospital, in episodes broadcast in 2014. Will she make a return to bid farewell to Sister Monica Joan?

Call the Midwife airs Sunday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer

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