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Amy Dowden has admitted that she is “not looking forward” to undergoing a procedure that will leave a scar that is always visible.
A single mastectomy was performed on the 32-year-old Strictly Come Dancing contestant in May after she received her initial diagnosis of stage three breast cancer. She was informed last month that she needed chemotherapy because more tumors were discovered after the surgery.
The professional dancer most recently shared a hospital photo that she had taken in the bathroom mirror while wearing a medical gown and a face mask.
She scribbled over the image, “Really not looking forward to this.”. Even though this scar is only [an] inch long, it will always be visible and serve as a constant reminder.
Dowden also shared a number of photos from the procedure, which included fitting the patient with a chemotherapy port. For the purpose of “hopefully getting others checking and for understanding what we go through,” Dowden wrote in the caption of her photo that she wanted to document her experience receiving treatment. “.
Wasn’t expecting it. Not easy… veins in me! Feeling painful, bruised, and sore, but the port will greatly improve over the coming weeks and allow me to dance when I’m feeling well enough,” she said.
The patient explained that safe access for chemotherapy was made possible by a port that was located just below the skin and a tube that ran from it to her heart. “I’m not a doctor,” you exclaimed.
It comes after Dowden revealed during an Instagram Live interview with breast cancer survivor and paralympian Erin Kennedy, who also has Crohn’s disease, that “everything changed” for her.
My initial treatment plan included radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and a lumpectomy. But after my MRI, they found a second tumor, which necessitated a mastectomy and, regrettably, led to the discovery of yet another tumor.
They told me I needed chemotherapy after finding a different type of cancer, which was a huge blow to me. I understand that you shouldn’t become fixated on it because it wasn’t originally included in the plan.
You can take away my boob but you can’t take my dancing away from me, and that’s what makes me really upset,” she said, expressing concern that the chemotherapy would prevent her from practicing her dance. “.
After receiving her initial breast cancer diagnosis, Dowden was optimistic that she would be able to take part in Strictly this year. But because of her new treatment, she won’t be able to do so in a competitive capacity.
Since I won’t be able to dance with a famous person on Strictly this year, she added, “but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible. “.
Dowden visited the dance competition venue to welcome all of her coworkers before her treatment last week, crying as she went.
She wrote in an Instagram Story update that she had surprised her friends on set, “I had happy tears to see them all. While catching up with everyone and taking in some of the dancing, I also learned about some intriguing concepts for this series. I am so happy for you guys because it’s going to be amazing.
Dowden initially disclosed her diagnosis in the hopes that it would raise awareness of Crohn’s, a chronic condition that affects several areas of the digestive system. She is also currently conducting research on the condition.
She acted as the host of the BBC documentary Strictly Amy: Crohn’s and Me, which looked at how the illness affected her.
Dowden is married to Benjamin Jones, a dancer who has been her partner for many years. They were wed in 2022.
