Amy Dowden has spoken up about the therapy she’s been having as a result of her blood clots, and how one Strictly Come Dancing judge stepped in to assist.
Earlier this week, the dancer stated that she was taken to the hospital immediately after finishing her rounds of treatment for breast cancer.
Amy, who had just broken her fifth metatarsal, revealed that a blood clot had been detected on her lung, and there were fears that the clot may migrate to or harm her heart, which it happily did not.
In a series of new Instagram Stories, the 33-year-old spoke to her followers about how much joy it brought her to return to the Strictly set on Saturday night, when it was announced that Nigel Harman and his partner Katya Jones had been forced to withdraw from the competition.
Amy emphasised how difficult the last several weeks have been for her due to her health issues, and how she has been taking precautions to avoid any future blood clots from forming.
‘Just being at Strictly, honestly – it’s so much easier being there and being part of it with all my friends [rather than] sitting at home watching it. Mentally… it’s been tough, so I just need it. I really do. But I am listening to my body, and I am resting up,’ she assured her followers.
‘I’m getting used to these blood-thinning injections, that’s for sure.’
The Welsh dancer went on to explain how she had been taking blood-thinning pills for several months but needed something stronger.
‘I was on blood-thinning tablets, you see, since August, because I got two blood clots in my arm, and then to have developed another blood clot on my lung, obviously I need something stronger, so I’ve gone onto the injections, which I’m getting used to,’ she said.
‘I don’t like these injections, I’ve had them a lot when I’ve had long hospital stays with my Crohns and that, and after my surgery. But I’m a bit rubbish at giving them to myself at the moment because they do sting, and I’ve had a lot of injections into my stomach recently. It’s a bit tender.’
So, on Saturday night, when Amy was on the set of Strictly, fellow dancer Neil Jones assisted her.
‘So big shoutout to Mr Neil Jones, who helped me last night, because it’s like a proper beasting. I’ve had so many people message me and say, “Yeah they’re nasty, aren’t they?”’ she shared.
‘I will get used to them I know. But I just wanted to say a massive thank you. Please don’t worry – I am listening to my body, but I’m also doing what I need to do for myself mentally as well. But thank you. It means so much. Sending so much love and strength to anybody who needs it.’
Amy posted an Instagram photo of herself wearing a medical boot in mid-November, disclosing that she had broken her foot.
She added at the time that she was ‘absolutely gutted and heartbroken’ since the injury meant she couldn’t dance on Strictly, as she had been slated to hit the dancefloor during the semi-final.
The Strictly Come Dancing results show airs tonight at 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
