Amy Dowden's heartbreaking reply as fan says 'shave your head' amid cancer woes
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has bravely admitted that she 'isn't ready' to shave her head as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment amid her breast cancer diagnosis.
The 33-year-old professional Welsh dancer - who has been one of the professional dancers on the long-running BBC dance competition since 2017 - revealed back in May that she had been diagnosed with grade III breast cancer. After undergoing a mastectomy, the star later revealed that she had been diagnosed with a further form of cancer that required her to undergo chemotherapy treatment.
Earlier this week, Amy shared her heartache as she noticed her hair has begun shedding, which can be a common side effect of chemotherapy. As she continues to lose her hair due to treatment, Amy took to Instagram on Thursday to ask her fans and followers alike for advice on how to manage the life-changing impact of her chemotherapy.
Amy took to her story to ask: "So my scalp/head the last few days been quite sore and painful with the hair loss. Any tips of what may help this out there? Really appreciate, will share to help others too."
Amy shared her heartache as she noticed her hair has begun shedding (Instagram)
Amy asked her fans for advice on how to manage the life-changing impact of her chemotherapy (Instagram)In response to Amy's question, one fan encouraged the Strictly Come Dancing star to bite the bullet and shave off her hair before it all falls out. However, Amy candidly admitted that she 'didn't feel ready' to take such a drastic move in her journey as she replied: "I'm personally not ready for this. Everyone is different and how they cope or go about their journey is up to them and need to be what's right for them.
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"I've had lots telling me just shave it. It's only hair. I've already gone through body changes for life, emotions, pain and right now I want to try save what I can with the cooling cap. Absolutely to those who brave the shave, you are strong! But please all remember everyone of us have different emotions, battles and deals with everything with what's best for them and how they cope best! All journeys are personal," she added.
It comes after Amy shared the toll that losing her hair was taking on her mental wellbeing. In the lengthy post which she shared on Wednesday, the Strictly Come Dancing star wrote: "Thanks for all the lovely messages, a little update on cycle 2. Wanted to me open and honest with you all from start. So this cycle, I started feeling sick as soon as second lot of 'red devil' was going in. Got home very tired and started being sick ( even with all the anti sickness) by Friday afternoon the sickness stopped and just waves of nausea.
"Still taking anti sickness now," she wrote. "Hardly any sleep due to steroids and the insomnia they bring with them. Didn't have any last cycle but some lovely mouth ulcer friends this time round. But I've managed some walks, lovely homemade soups and smoothies and feeling and feeling even better today! The little wins!"
Amy has started to lose her hair amid her cancer treatment (Instagram)
Amy has been showered with love for being so open and honest amid her cancer diagnosis (Instagram)In another post, Amy continued: "What I've found harder this time round and the last few days is the hair shedding. Even though I'm cold capping you hope to keep 50% of your hair and there are also so many benefits to the hair growing back quicker too. But as much as I prepared myself everyday gently combing my hair with a wide comb and seeing what comes is is just heartbreaking personally for me," she wrote.
"I'm only washing my hair once max twice a week, not using any heat on my hair or styling it so I just don't feel like me. So it's time to bring out the wig I say and get used to this and help me feel like me. I know this won't last forever but during this time and knowing normally these few months are my favourite time of the year and i feel myself wishing these months away just hurts so much."
She continued to explain she has told herself that the way she looks doesn't change "who I am inside" and insisted she is "still Amy!" However, she candidly wrote how she woke up some days and had "forgotten" for the first few seconds "then suddenly it all hits you" – from the day ahead to the challenges she is bravely facing.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
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