BBC star Deborah James, 40, has shared a heartbreaking “goodbye” as she reveals she’s moved to hospice care.
The mum-of-two, who was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016, was told she might not live beyond five years – the milestone she passed in 2021.
Taking to Instagram, the cancer campaigner – better known as bowelbabe – revealed in a heartfelt post that doctors have tried everything but her body “just can’t continue anymore.”
The former headteacher wrote: “My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.
“Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams. I know we have left no stone unturned.”
The 40-year-old continued: “But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore.
“In over five years of writing about how I thought it would be my final Christmas, how I wouldn’t see my 40th birthday nor see my kids go to secondary school – I never envisaged writing the one where I would actually say goodbye.
“I think it’s been the rebellious hope in me. But I don’t think anyone can say the last six months have exactly been kind!
“It’s all heartbreaking to be going through but I’m surrounded by so much love that if anything can help me through I hope that will.”
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Deborah, who shares children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with husband Sebastien, revealed that she has spent the past few years raising as much awareness and money for charities and asked her followers to donate as much as they could to help fight bowel cancer.
The podcaster went on: “All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason.
“Please buy me a drink to see me out this world, by donating the cost to @bowelbabefund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer. To give more Deborah’s more time!”
(Image: Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
The much-loved BBC star finished the post by saying: “Right now for me it’s all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise.
“My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I’ll cry!!) at every possible moment!”
She concluded: “You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey. No regrets. Enjoy life x. Deborah.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
