Amy Dowden has provided a ‘frustrating’ update with her followers while getting her breast cancer treatment, adding that she’s ‘in limbo’.
In an Instagram Story post, the Strictly Come Dancing actress informed her followers that she will be having her penultimate session of chemotherapy tomorrow.
However, after evaluating her blood levels, physicians advised her that her platelet count needed to grow by the morning in order for her to undergo the treatment.
Speaking to the camera, the 33-year-old told her fans: ‘Frustratingly, my neutrophils, white blood cells are all good but my platelets are too low currently for chemo, which is really frustrating because I feel really well,’ she said.
‘But my doctor said, “Come in on Thursday morning and let’s see if they’ve improved.” Otherwise my chemo will have to be delayed by a week, which obviously, I don’t really want because I just want to get this over and done with.’
However, Amy’s platelets have to be at a ‘high enough’ level for her to receive her treatment, she said, adding: ‘So I’m in limbo really.’
‘So I’m in limbo really. I’ll go tomorrow, but it’s weird because I prepare myself that I’m having chemo but I might not have chemo,’ she stated, stressing how she ‘builds herself up’ and ‘braces herself’ whenever chemo is approaching.
In subsequent Instagram Story videos, Amy said that she would be ‘gutted’ if she couldn’t get chemo on Thursday and had to wait another week, especially because she can’see the finish line’.
The professional dancer believes she has completed the ‘hardest portion’ of her therapy, which entailed losing her hair and being unable to compete in this year’s Strictly.
If Amy is able to get through her treatment tomorrow, her final round of chemo should be on November 9.
‘But it is what it is,’ she added, before she expressed her gratitude to ‘everybody on the NHS’ and her ‘amazing oncology team’.
Amy begged her followers to keep their fingers, toes, and legs crossed that her treatment will go forward as planned, and she thanked those who have sent her notes of support.
‘It means a lot,’ she said, before sharing that she’ll be watching Halloween Week on this Saturday’s Strictly.
Amy said that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer early this year.
Doctors detected further malignancies after the singer underwent a single mastectomy.
Breast cancer symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
