Strictly’s Amy Dowden shares further health update after ringing chemo bell
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has shared a heartfelt health update after ringing a bell signalling the end of her chemotherapy treatment.
After sharing a previous update, in which she revealed that she and two other women "rang that chemo bell," to signal the end of their chemotherapy treatment, the dancer further explained the big moment in her breast cancer journey.
Accompanied by a video of Dowden hugging various nursing staff and her friends and family before ringing the hospital's chemo bell, she explained that the experience was her "toughest journey yet".
She wrote: "These past few months I look back and think how did my body get through this both physically and mentally.
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"From the words, 'I’m so sorry Amy, it’s cancer and what’s your fertility plans.' To having a mastectomy, two weeks later hormone daily injections for egg retrieval, a little Crohns flare up and then on to chemo plus shutting down my ovaries on the same day which sadly lead to sepsis, blood clots, losing my hair, my eyebrows, lashes (I have a few hanging in there) and three toe nails.
"But also it’s taken away my love of life these past few months and of course my DANCING!"
Dowden also wrote that the experience has taught her to be "eternally grateful" for life, and added: "I'm so much stronger than I ever knew."
Further along in the post, Dowden thanked the oncology unit at the hospital where she received her treatment, and revealed that the next steps in her recovery journey is an MRI scan to determine if she needs more surgery.
She also reminded her fans to check themselves for signs of cancer, and hinted that her Strictly return would be happening as soon as possible – "My dancing shoes are warming up", she wrote, adding: "I can’t wait to get back in the training room!"
Dowden announced that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May this year. After a mastectomy, she shared that she'd developed "another type of cancer" and later, sepsis, leaving her unable to compete as a pro in 2023's season of Strictly.
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
Further information about breast cancer is available via organisations including the NHS, CoppaFeel!, Macmillan, Cancer Research and Breast Cancer Now. Readers in the US may wish to visit the CDC or the National Cancer Institute.
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