05 August 2023 , 07:34
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Amy Dowden gave an emotional update to her fans after completing her first round of chemotherapy treatment.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional announced in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and in June she revealed she had undergone a mastectomy. Doctors later found another type of cancer in the Caerphilly-born dancer, and she described this as a “massive blow” as it meant she would not be able to compete in Strictly this year.
After undergoing her first round of treatment this week, Amy was pictured smiling from her hospital bed. The 32-year-old star was seen wrapped in blankets and wearing a cold cap as she posed alongside her friend who had come along to support her. Cold caps are often worn during chemotherapy treatment and they have a cooling effect on the head, reducing blood flow to the scalp.
Reflecting on the experience, Amy said it 'wasn't as bad' as she'd been imagining adding it meant she was 'one step closer to being back on the dance floor'
Amy Dowden is receiving chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year (Instagram)
The Strictly professional thanked her friend Jenny for staying by her sideShe posted: "Chemo 1 done! I looked worse going in than coming out actually. I didn’t sleep, I got there and I just burst into tears, luckily my pink sister made sure I walked in and helped me through it and distracted from the brain freeze of the cold cap. ( wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be!) thank you @jenny.markey not sure what I would do without you! Lucky to have you! Red Devil went in, had another cry but I’ve left knowing chemo 1 done and not as bad as I thought.
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"This is due to the incredible team and nurses! Thank you NHS! Hopefully not too many side affects. One step closer to being back on the dance floor. (that’s what’s hurting the most right now, I’d do anything to be there with my fellow strictly pros right now). But for now chemo 1."
The hopeful post comes days after Amy revealed she “burst into tears” when she arrived for chemotherapy treatment.
Sharing her nerves before the treatment, Amy wrote: "Just feeling very emotional today mixed with nerves and fear but like my lovely nurse has said I just need to think of the end goal. I've always set dreams and goals in life I guess none like this one (always dance related!) but I'm going to see it like this." Amy then shared a third image of her getting chemotherapy medication put into her arm, with the star writing: "It's started", alongside crying emojis.
In a separate post to her Instagram story, she said: “I hardly slept… just wishing this wasn’t happening to me.”
Amy said she cried when arriving at the hospital for her treatment (Instagram)
Amy is one of the stars of Strictly, which is returning for its 21st series this Autumn (BBC)Dowden, who married fellow professional dancer Ben Jones in July 2022, previously revealed she had found a lump in her breast the day before she planned to go on her belated honeymoon this year.
She joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and was a finalist four years ago with presenter Karim Zeroual.
This week, the BBC announced the first three names for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, which is due to start in September.
Broadcaster Angela Rippon, actress Amanda Abbington and Bad Education star Layton Williams were revealed on The One Show on Friday night. Angela will be 79 when the programme is filmed, making her the show’s oldest contestant, after Johnny Ball took part in 2012 aged 74.