Amy Dowden particulars hair loss throughout second spherical of chemo: ‘It’s heart-breaking’
The skilled dancer, 33, introduced in June that she had undergone a mastectomy after discovering that she had stage three breast cancer.
Caerphilly-born Dowden later stated docs discovered one other sort of most cancers and has since been documenting her experiences, hoping it is going to elevate consciousness and encourage others to verify themselves.
On Sunday, she wrote about her second spherical of chemotherapy therapy in a collection of Instagram messages: “What I’ve found harder this time round and the last few days is the hair shredding.
“Even though I’m cold capping you hope to keep 50 per cent of your hair and there are also many benefits to the hair growing back quicker too.
“But as much as I prepared myself waking up everyday gently combing my hair with a wide comb and seeing what comes out, it is just heart-breaking personally for me.
“I’m only washing my hair once, max twice a week, not using any heat on my hair or styling it so I just don’t feel like me.”
Dowden shared a video of the hair that had fallen out, writing: “The reality when I gently comb”, with a damaged coronary heart emoji.
She requested her virtually 500,000 Instagram followers to counsel a reputation for her new wig, which is mid-length, brown and wavy.
The dancer stated: “I know this won’t last forever but during this time and knowing normally these few months are my favourite time of the year and I feel myself wishing these months away just hurts so much.
“I know and telling myself the way you look hasn’t changed Amy who I am inside…I’m still Amy!
“Some days last week I’d wake and for the first few seconds you forget and then suddenly it all hits you, the day and challenges ahead and your new reality and it’s tough, had a few morning cries and learning that’s OK too.”
In an effort to be “open and honest” about her most cancers expertise, Dowden additionally described how she has been feeling all through the therapy.
“So this cycle, I started feeling sick soon as second lot of ‘red devil’ was going in,” she stated.
“Got home very tired and started being sick (even with all the anti sickness), by Friday afternoon the sickness stopped and just waves of nausea.
“Still taking anti sickness now. Hardly any sleep due to steroids and insomnia they bring with them. Didn’t have any last cycle but some lovely mouth ulcer friends this time round.
“But I’ve managed some walks, lovely homemade soups and smoothies and feeling even better today. The little wins!”
She additionally thanked her mates, household and followers for his or her supportive messages, which she stated will not be taken without any consideration and imply “more than you will ever know”.
Dowden, who married fellow skilled dancer Ben Jones in July 2022, beforehand stated she had discovered a lump in her breast the day earlier than she deliberate to go on her belated honeymoon this 12 months.
She joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and was a finalist 4 years in the past with presenter Karim Zeroual.