It might be the last time I feel the rain, so I’m embracing it,” says Deborah James
DEBORAH James has spent the afternoon happily “hugging” the rain, a week after she revealed she had stopped cancer treatment.
She posted a short video from the back garden of her parents’ house, snuggled up in a blanket as raindrops fell.
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The mother-of-two was joined by her dog, who sat in a chair with her as she continues to make the most of each day.
She wrote: “A friend who passed away once told me to hug the rain because you never knew the last time you felt like there was rain on your face… so I hug it. Albeit with blankets!”
Just a few days ago, Deborah was sitting in the same garden with Prince William when he officially proclaimed her a lady.
The king was believed to have erased his journal and made the journey to the Woking house specifically to ensure she got the gong from him.
- Donate here to continue raising money for Deborah’s BowelBabe fund
Deborah shared how overwhelmed she was from day to day as she posed for a series of snaps and chatted with William.
He spoke to her entire family, who are gathered for her remaining days after she has ceased active care at the hospital.
The inspirational cancer activist has been made a Dame after calls – led by The Sun – following her amazing fundraiser.
The same day she revealed the heartbreaking news that she would be transitioning into palliative care to join her mom and dad, she launched the Bowelbabe Fund.
Deborah, who has continued to grow her legion of supporters over the years, inspired donations of more than £6million in one week.
Last week, after hitting the £5million mark, she wrote: “We are completely speechless. It’s all just beyond anything we could have ever imagined.
“The last 5 days have been surreal. Thank you for putting a huge smile on my face and for helping us launch a legacy that will hopefully impact state-of-the-art cancer care for life.
“Thanks to an incredibly generous donation earlier today and every single person who has donated to @bowelbabefund, we’ve just reached the incredible sum of £5million.”
The mother of two was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer just days before Christmas 2016.
But “riding on the wings of science,” as Deborah described it, she has defied the odds time and time again.
She has won hearts and inspired millions with her Sun columns and BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C.
Last year she celebrated her 40th and five-year milestone.
However, last summer the drugs that had kept her alive — which didn’t exist for colon cancer patients when she was first diagnosed — stopped and stopped working.
What symptoms to look for? Remember “BOWEL”
- : B: bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your butt or blood in your poop.
Bright red blood can come from swollen blood vessels, hemorrhoids, or hemorrhoids in your anus.
Dark red or black blood may come from your intestines or stomach.
Blood in the stool is one of the main signs of colon cancer, so it’s important to tell your doctor so he can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in toilet habits
It’s important to let your GP know if you notice changes in your bowel habits that last three weeks or more.
It’s especially important if you’ve also noticed signs of blood in your poop.
You may find that you need to go to the bathroom more often, you may have looser stools, or you may feel like you are not walking enough or not emptying your bowels completely.
Don’t be embarrassed, your family doctor will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and have it checked.
3. W: weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but it’s important to be aware of. If you have lost weight and do not know exactly why, you should tell your family doctor.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme fatigue
Colon cancer that causes bleeding can cause iron deficiency in the body – anemia. If you develop anemia, you are likely to feel tired and your skin may look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with many other types of cancer, lumps or pain can be a sign of colon cancer.
It is very likely that you will feel a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn’t go away or if it’s affecting your diet or sleep.
Last Monday she shared a heartbreaking Instagram post saying she is now receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, because the heroic efforts of her medical team at the Royal Marsden Hospital in south-west London have now been fruitless.
She said her body “just doesn’t play ball,” adding, “My body is so emaciated that I have no choice but to surrender to the inevitable.”
Deborah’s main role throughout her cancer career has been to raise awareness that anyone can get the disease and that early diagnosis is key.
Her close friend and cancer survivor Lauren Mahon echoed the same earlier today, telling Good Morning: “If it’s cancer, it’s going nowhere.
“Burning your head in the sand only means a later diagnosis. And the later it is, the less chance there is of getting rid of the thing.
“Make sure you own your health. It will change your life.
“Look what Deborah James did. How many lives did she save?”
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