After five years of sharing her battle against stage 4 bowel cancer with the world, Deborah James has made a heartbreaking announcement.
The 40-year-old writer and radio host shared a recent post revealing she is in hospice care. This comes just months after an emergency medical event nearly took her life.
The mom of two shared her desires for everything that comes next, and through it all, she managed to center giving back with the Bowelbabe Fund, which will help fund medical research to help others beat the illness in the years to come. Deborah's frank look at her illness and the projects that have spawned from it all leave a tremendous legacy for a woman no one is quite ready to say goodbye to.
Deborah James shared the news that she was in hospice care on May 9, 2022. She shared her post to Instagram.
"The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball," she revealed.
"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," she continued.
"I know we have left no stone unturned. But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can't continue anymore."
Though this is the end of her journey, Deborah made sure to express her gratitude for all the moments she got to enjoy that medical professionals believed she wouldn't make it to.
"In over 5 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," she said.
"I think it's been the rebellious hope in me. But I don't think anyone can say the last 6 months has 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."
Deborah introduced the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, part of the legacy she wants to leave the world with. The fund will help advance the work of charities that support those living with cancer and raise awareness, as well as the work of medical researchers trying to find new treatments and a cure.
"I always knew there was one thing I always wanted to do before I died," she shared.
"I have always over the years raised as much awareness and money for the charities that are closest to me. @cr_uk @royalmarsden @bowelcanceruk. As a result, the @bowelbabefund is being established and I'd love nothing more than for you to help it flourish. Please visit bowelbabe.org for all the info and to donate."
"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," she concluded.
"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! You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey. No regrets. Enjoy life."
By Deborah's side during this time are her husband of 13 years, Sebastien Bowen. They share two kids, 14-year-old Hugo and 12-year-old Eloise.
Deborah's announcement was met with a lot of warm, emotional words for her as people celebrate the life she's lived and all she's been able to accomplish despite being given just five years to live from the time of her diagnosis at the end of 2016. The impact she's made on the lives of others is tremendously clear.
The Bowelbabe Fund is already making a big difference, too. In the 24 hours following Deborah's announcement, over $1.7 million has been raised.
