Deborah James admits she's 'blessed' to be alive after 'outliving' doctors' predictions
She was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016
After moving into end of life hospice care in May, Dame Deborah James has made a TV appearance on Lorraine, admitting she's blessed to still be alive after outliving her doctor's predictions.
Deborah, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, appeared on Thursday's episode of the popular ITV show to thank host Lorraine Kelly for representing her at the Race For Life, where the team raised money for cancer charities.
Appearing in a pre-recorded video dressed in a bright pink wig and t-shirt, 40-year-old Deborah told viewers: “I am doing ok, I am stable. I think stable is a good thing, I’m taking life slowly, not on social media too much and just spending time in the garden with my family.
“It’s a much slower pace of life which is not what I’m used to physically I’m quite tired, but mentally I’m still a campaigner and asking people to check their poo.”
The mum-of-two later added: “I’m taking life day by day and I think just continuing to feel blessed to have another day, knowing that my time is living.
“But at the same time if truth be told, I’ve already outlived yet again what I was told when I was sent home from the hospital so I think even I’m a bit surprised. But I think it’s having that sense of purpose and campaigning and keeping me going.”
Pictured here in 2020, Deborah James was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35. After the diagnosis she began detailing her cancer and treatment in a newspaper column.
Deborah James became the much-loved presenter of the podcast You, Me And The Big C in 2018 alongside fellow cancer patients Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.
She's become a campaigner, raising awareness of cancer and raising money too. In 2019 she ran the Vitiality London 10000 in her underwear to promote body confidence.
In May 2022 she announced she was receiving hospice at home care saying "We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball."
The cancer campaigner was honoured with a damehood in May 2022 after announcing she had moved to hospice-at-home care.
The 40-year-old podcast host had at that point raised over £4million after setting up a fund to raise money for clinical trials, research, and raising awareness of bowel cancer.
Dame Deborah James dies
On the 28th June 2022 it was announced that Dame Deborah had sadly passed away at the age of 40, after losing her battle with terminal bowel cancer. Her campaigning work raised over £7 million for her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
Back in May, Deborah shared a heartbreaking message out to her Instagram fans, revealing her treatment had stopped and that she'd moved to hospice-at-home care.
She wrote: 'The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball. 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. 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 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.
'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.' (sic)
Since then, Deborah has raised over £6 million for her Bowel Babe Fund and she was honoured with a Damehood by Prince William.
After receiving the Damehood, Deborah told fans: 'I don’t even know where to start with the overwhelming tears getting in the way. I’m humbled and blown away that 5 years of talking about poo can lead to a Dame hood! I feel honoured and shocked that I even got considered. These last 4 days of your unwaving support launching the @bowelbabefund to benefit @cr_uk , @royalmarsden And @bowelcanceruk seem like a wirl wind of surreal dreaming when each day I can’t fathom the kindness and generosity. £4 Million!!! I can simply only give thanks for the wonderful people in the world and say the most heartfelt thank you for your unconditional support not just now but over the years.
'As I’m getting more and more sleepy and finding life a little harder, I’ve had - More time to think that I’ve never stopped to realise the impact that our podcasting, and talking, and campaigning has had over 5 years. Small chats really can save lives, small conversations can create ripples far beyond where we might see them, and seeds might grow where we’re never see their fruits. And there is something exciting and beautiful in that cycle of life. With this money hopefully more people will have more time with their loved ones. : who knows what plants we might grow, but when done with hope we pray that some blossom into game changers for our kids, and many more to come.
'Keep loving in kindness, with rebellious hope always ❤️'. (sic)