Strictly's Amy Dowden gives health update after hospital stay as she reveals she 'didn't think about her cancer once' during her Caribbean honeymoon with husband Ben Jones

Amy Dowden has issued a health update after her hospitalization last week, giving fans insight into her second honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.

The professional dancer, 33, revealed on Monday that she had been placed in a respiratory unit during her battle with breast cancer.

She was diagnosed in May last year and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking time off from Strictly Come Dancing while she underwent treatment.

Amy shared photos from her hospital bed this week, telling fans: “So last week didn't exactly go to plan. I feel much better now and am still taking it easy.

'But I can't thank the NHS enough and the care I received in the respiratory unit. Also to my family and Ben of course. Always dropping everything and spending endless hours next to my bed while mostly sleeping.

'I feel a lot better and thank you for the many messages after the shutdown. Today I went to the oncology department for my monthly injection (missed last week because I was sick).'

On Tuesday, Amy appeared on Lorraine in a pre-recorded video of her romantic trip to Grenada with Ben.

Host Lorraine Kelly relayed Amy's health update: 'You may have noticed that Amy was in hospital last week, but just to reassure you, she says she is making a very good recovery and of course we are sending our love to her. .'

During the segment, viewers got the chance to see Amy and Ben enjoying the Caribbean sun, with Amy revealing that the trip had allowed her to forget about her cancer.

She told viewers: “The past year has been tough, but I'm determined to get my life back on track.”

The dancer and her husband enjoyed a range of activities during the trip, including boat trips, massages, diving and lots of swimming.

During a romantic BBQ dinner on the beach, Amy admitted: '[The trip has] definitely what I needed. I can't quite believe we're here. This is literally paradise.'

Ben then said, “It was amazing, I wouldn't want to be here with anyone else but you.”

He then praised, “I'm really proud of everything you've done and been through these past few months and come out the other side and stayed positive and strong.”

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Of the getaway, Amy said, “I didn't realize how much I really needed this trip, both Ben and I.

“Basically an escape from my reality. Just getting some fresh air, some vitamin D and just some quality time together, away from the stress we've been having and the hospital appointments and the medications and the worries and just getting away.

“To be honest, I haven't thought about my cancer once since I've been here.”

She also talked about her hopes for the year and how her values ​​have changed after the challenging past few months.

She said: 'I think I've been in a very aesthetic world and since I lost my hair, my eyelashes and my eyebrows – yes, it's growing again – but I think you learn the real values ​​of life when you reached rock bottom.

“For me, it's just cherishing every moment, taking advantage of every opportunity, spending time with your loved ones and reminding them how much you love them every day.”

Expressing her determination to return to the Strictly dancefloor, Amy said: 'The goal for this year is definitely to get as healthy as possible and as fit as possible. I haven't been able to go to the gym for so many months, I haven't been able to dance for so many months.

'And I know it's going to be a long journey, but I'm determined to get back on the dance floor, back with my Strictly family and just grab life and take every opportunity that comes my way and be present .

'It certainly gives me a more positive feeling towards 2024.'

It comes after Amy spoke about the importance of being able to continue her TV work during her battle with cancer, explaining that it gave her 'something to get up for' every day.

The Welsh star was in the middle of filming series two of Dare To Dance – in which she teaches people dance routines to surprise their loved ones – when she was diagnosed.

Speak with BBC news On Monday, Amy said: “We continued filming until my mastectomy [last June]. And two weeks after my mastectomy I was back – I couldn't dance myself, but I could still teach – and we finished the series before I started chemo.

'So I was very involved, much more than I thought, and it really helped a lot. I think if all that had been taken away from me I would have really struggled with it.”

She added that she has also “learned so much” from the show's contributors, saying: “We become very close, like a family.

'When you do something so intensive, it is important that the team creates that special bond.

“And honestly, it helped me through such a difficult time in my life. Because I had focus and had something to get up for every day.'

It comes after Amy's friend Sara Davies, who competed on Strictly in 2021, recently revealed she had to convince Amy to go ahead with her treatment when it was offered because she was worried she would miss out on her Strictly career.

Dragon's Den star Sara said Amy was 'programmed' to dance from a young age and the thought of taking time off to focus on her health scared her.

Speaking on the Invitation Only podcast, Sara revealed: 'I spent a lot of time with her at the beginning of her cancer diagnosis when she wasn't feeling positive. She had been dealt a bad hand and she was struggling with it.

“I knew then that I had to be the friend who filled her tank, but even if you just want someone to give you a hug and tell you it's going to be okay, I'm not the one to go to.

“I was the one who was like, 'What's the plan, Amy?' and pushing her to make tough decisions. She wasn't sure if she would get chemo, so we talked about that.”

She added, “What I have realized with the dancers is that they are determined to dance from an early age. And the biggest blow for her was: “If I don't go down that route, I can't do Strictly this year.”

“I had to look her in the eye and say, 'Amy, you have cancer. They literally cut off your breasts. They're telling you to get this chemo to get better. Don't worry.' dance and strict”.

'Her response was: “But maybe they won't want me back next year.” So I said, “Amy, you're great at what you do, of course they want you back. You're so loved. Please, it's very important. Get well soon.”

'And then she went to the show without a wig. What a phenomenal moment. When I saw her, I cried.”