Amy Dowden has revealed her eyelashes have fallen out again due to her ongoing cancer treatment.
The Strictly Come Dancing pro took to Instagram to give fans a health update after realising she had arrived for a routine hospital appointment an hour early. The 33-year-old Welsh dancer said: “Good morning everyone. It's been ages since I've come on and spoke to you all, but I'm not going to lie, I've come an hour early by mistake for my blood test at the hospital so I thought, do you know what, I'm going to come on and say hello to you all."
Giving fans a glimpse of her cropped blonde hair, which is growing back after chemo, she told her 700,000 followers: "Excuse the wild hair. I have put this serum on it to help keep the condition a bit, but it's gone a bit curly and a bit wild. I've also lost my eyelashes again, only a few of them.
"They are growing back again, but I did read when I was having treatment quite a few posts from ladies who said that they had lost them again, like after the 12-week cycle they lost them once more. So let me know if this has happened to you. It's a little bit frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. Anyway, I didn't come on to say that to you but I got carried away."
Plugging her new show, Amy continued: "Actually, Dare to Dance is on tonight with Debbie and Chris. This episode is an emotional one. But it's lovely. Not saying too much, but it's a very big day and Debs and I have something in common at the time.
"Do you know what, she's just the most remarkable lady and I cannot wait for you all to get to know Debbie and Chris. And also, my buddy Dianne Buswell comes and helps us out as well, so yeah, if you can tune in tonight to watch the final episode of Dare to Dance of this series. And if you haven't seen any of them yet, you can get series one and series two on iPlayer."
Ending the post, Amy said: "Anyway, I'm going to go in and see some of the nurses maybe. But have a lovely Friday everybody and I'm sending you all my Welsh love." She then blew a kiss at the camera.
Amy is continuing to have regular check ups and treatment after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year. The professional dancer has since had a double mastectomy. But the star was then delivered the devastating news doctors had found more tumours and another type of cancer and she was told she needed chemo.
In November last year, Amy was finally able to ring the bell which signalled her last round of chemo, but she will have to see doctors for the next five years to keep her cancer at bay.
Sharing an emotional video of the milestone moment in her recovery, Amy said: "I rang the bell and I’m so thankful I got too! My toughest journey yet! These past few months I look back and think how did my body get through this both physically and mentally.
"From the words I’m so sorry Amy, it’s cancer and what’s your fertility plans. To having a mastectomy, two weeks later hormone daily injections for egg retrieval, a little Crohns flare up and then on to chemo plus shutting down my ovaries on the same day which sadly lead to sepsis, blood clots, losing my hair, my eyebrows, lashes (I have a few hanging in there) and three toenails.
"But also it’s taken away my love of life these past few months and of course my DANCING! It’s been tough. But hopefully has now given me chance of more life which I’m eternally grateful for and I will never take for granted again. I’ll never be the same Amy again but, what I do know is I’m so much stronger than I ever knew and I have made the most amazing friends along the way."
She continued: "I hate looking in the mirror at the moment but I know this is a small price to pay and ‘this too shall pass’. I’m so grateful to the wonderful Sheldon oncology unit and my family and friends who have been there endlessly for Ben and I. We did it! Although my journey isn’t over yet, this day of ringing the chemo bell felt like an endless distance away and at points I thought I’d never make it to. I’m so proud of myself.
"I now await an MRI to determine if I need more surgery but for now I’m celebrating my chemo journey coming to an end. Thank you all for your love and support along the way. My dancing shoes are warming up and I can’t wait to get back in the training room! Now please remember to check yourselves, if you aren’t who is?! Welsh love."
*Watch Dare to Dance on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer tonight at 7.30pm
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