Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has revealed she nearly died from sepsis while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The 33-year-old dancer described the infection as 'life-threatening' in an interview with Hello! magazine.
Two days after chemotherapy on 3 August, Dowden felt well enough to go for a walk with her parents, Gillian and Richard. However, upon returning home, her condition deteriorated rapidly. Her mother said: 'Amy's symptoms got worse very, very quickly. At one point she felt OK, then suddenly she felt very ill – it happened in an instant.'
Paramedics were called and Dowden was taken to hospital, where she was diagnosed with sepsis and admitted to intensive care. Sepsis is particularly dangerous for those with suppressed immune systems, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy. Dowden also has Crohn's disease, an inflammatory condition.
Dowden later thanked the ambulance staff who saved her life, saying: 'We are so lucky to have every single individual and department in the NHS. From my breast care team to my oncology team, to the paramedics, to those who help me with my Crohn’s – everybody does an exceptional job.'
