Amy Dowden, a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, has shared details of her “chemotherapy journey” in an effort to spread awareness of the medication.
The 32-year-old professional dancer received her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in May, and she subsequently announced that she will not be participating in this year’s series after discovering more tumors after a single mastectomy.
Amy said in her most recent update on Instagram that she had started chemotherapy and was feeling “tender, bruised, and sore.”
Amy wrote: “I’ve decided I want to share my chemo journey to help raise awareness, hopefully get others checking and for understanding what we go through” next to a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed.
Port installed! Was not anticipating it. Was difficult… my veins! Feeling sensitive, bruised, and uncomfortable, but the port will help a ton over the coming weeks, allowing me to dance when I’m feeling well enough.
‘(I believe; I’m not a doctor!) A port rests under the skin, and the tube runs through my vein to the heart, providing safe access for chemotherapy. Right, that’s finished! If you’re sensitive, don’t swipe to the final slide.
She received a deluge of encouragement from previous and present Strictly competitors and stars, including Gorka Marquez, who wrote: “You got this Amy.”
“Brave lady xx,” commented Kym Marsh, a competitor in the series from the previous year.
Kaye Adams, a cast member of Loose Women and a dancer on the 2022 season of the program, wrote: “Sending love xx.”
In an Instagram Live with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic medalist Erin Kennedy, Amy first admitted she would need chemotherapy.
For me, my voyage altered everything, she said.
They informed me I required chemotherapy after discovering a different sort of cancer, which was a huge blow to me, she added.
It wasn’t initially part of the plan, and I am aware that you shouldn’t get focused on it.
In addition, she said, “This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible.” She then confirmed that she will not be able to participate in this year’s Strictly.
‘Hey everybody, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share,’ Amy said on May 24 in an Instagram post announcing her breast cancer diagnosis.
I just learned that I had breast cancer, but I’m determined to return on the dance floor as soon as possible.
Shirley Ballas, a judge on Strictly, recently expressed her respect for Amy and called her “one of the strongest women I know.”
Amy joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and has danced with celebrities including James Bye from EastEnders and Tom Fletcher from McFly.
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