The pro dancer was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer back in May and she has decided to make a brave move with it.
Amy Dowden, the beloved Strictly Come Dancing star, has received an outpouring of support as she shared a deeply emotional video of her family and friends assisting her in a significant step in her ongoing battle with cancer.
Tearful video and a new chapter
The pro dancer, 32, shared an emotional video of herself surrounded by her family as she cut her hair. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dowden wrote: 'This too shall pass.' Taking control - The hardest step so far.'
She candidly expressed her struggle with losing her hair during chemotherapy, saying, 'I've had what feels like so much taken away from me that has made me not feel like Amy. I’m missing every possible aspect of dancing.'
Dowden, who has been with Strictly since 2017, admitted that it would take time to 'learn to love and embrace' her new look:
'It’s going to take some time to get use to and learn to love and embrace but, I’m now focussing - not on the hair I’m losing but the hair I’m going to get back and the happy dancing, tea lover who talks way to fast whilst rolling every rrrrr who is still there inside with or without hair!'
Her cancer journey has been both physically and emotionally taxing, and she elaborated on the impact of hair loss, saying: 'I just wanted to keep my identity with my hair, and I tried telling myself it wouldn't go. But I would dread the pain of waking up to the shredding every day.'
She concluded:
'Since taking control, I feel I can now see the finish line. This for me was a hurdle I couldn’t even bring myself to think or speak about. I’ve done it and I’ve also crossed the half way chemo line! I'm feeling empowered and positive! To everyone on their own journey, whatever that maybe, I’m sending love, power, strength and courage. I found my courage for this step and I’m proud.'
Her courageous act drew words of admiration and encouragement from her friends and colleagues. Former Strictly contestant Ellie Taylor praised her beauty and sent love,
While Saffron Barker commended her bravery: 'Wow you’re so brave and beautiful inside and out. Loads of love to you.'
Dowden’s fellow Strictly pro Dianne Buswell gushed: 'You are still all the things you were before, just with added courage, strength and determination. One thing about you is that you don’t let anything take over!'
Michelle Visage hailed her as a warrior: 'YOU ARE A WARRIOR AND THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE.'
Dowden's life-threatening accident
Back in May, the 32-year-old pro dancer publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage-three breast cancer. Following this diagnosis, she has been actively sharing her health journey on various social media platforms. In a prior revelation, she recounted an incident where she had to be 'urgently hospitalized' after her initial round of chemotherapy due to the development of sepsis and the occurrence of three blood clots.
As per Medical News Today, sepsis is a severe and potentially life-threatening medical condition triggered by the body's overwhelming response to an infection. It occurs when the immune system's reaction to an infection causes widespread inflammation throughout the body, leading to organ dysfunction and, if not promptly treated, can result in organ failure and death.
Sepsis has the potential to be fatal even in individuals who are otherwise healthy, but it poses an especially grave risk to those receiving treatments that weaken the immune system, such as chemotherapy. In Amy Dowden's case, she faces an additional challenge as she has Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory condition that further complicates her health situation.
Regarding her most recent treatment, the dancer mentioned experiencing 'the usual side effects from chemo', which included sickness, fatigue, mouth ulcers and hair loss.
Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing will continue Saturday 23 September at 6.15pm on BBC One, notes The Independent.
Read more:
⋙ Strictly's Amy Dowden shares more sad news with fans about her health
⋙ Amy Dowden wants to return to the dancefloor despite tragic health condition
