Dame Deborah James told fans that she now spends a few hours awake “between sleep and side effects” while receiving end-of-life care.
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Dame Deborah James: Podcast Host Visits Chelsea Flower Show
lady deborah james shared a heartbreaking post describing how hard it was for her to “make memories when you’re dying” as she spends a few hours awake “between sleep and side effects.”
The 40-year-old podcast host, known as the Bowel Babe online, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and is now at her parents’ home in Woking to spend his last days surrounded by her family.
taking to Instagram On Tuesday, Dame Deborah told fans how she burst into tears when her family surprised her with a “girls sleepover” with her 12-year-old daughter Eloise, where they saw Cinderella.
She wrote: “Making memories can be hard while you’re dying! Oh the pressure! Now I only have a few very busy hours between sleep and side effects, but this girly sleepover managed to put a big smile on my face.” “. having spent most of yesterday crying!”
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Image:
Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
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Image:
Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
Dame Deborah said she is less and less able to leave the house, her bed “or do anything” and was feeling “pretty depressed” about her deteriorating health before she was caught on girls’ night.
She said her sister suggested a slumber party with Woking-based company Teepee Vibe Tribe, who came to throw a slumber party complete with matching silk pajamas just a few hours in advance.
“I was feeling really bad after a bad day so I didn’t look at preparing anything,” she wrote.
“I actually cried because of the leaking drains next door! But with the help of my sister and brother, I managed to calm down and then they took me to the room last night and yes, I cried because of the colored lights! Good morning tears! It was just perfect!
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Image:
Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
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Image:
Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
“I went from staying in my wheelchair to breaking up with everyone helping me get into a tee pee to watch Cinderella with the gang and sitting like a 5 year old with a huge Cheshire cat grin on my face next to my daughter and sister!
“We booked the experience as regulars but they refused payment so they donated it to @bowelbabefund. But I wanted to give a big shout out to @teepeevibetribe because they were locals, so great, and made something that meant so much to me so easy.”
Débora concluded: “Today I sleep! But with another memory and a smile.”
(
Image:
Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
(
Image:
Instagram/ @bowelbabe)
The podcast host has raised a staggering £6.5 million for his bowel cancer fundraiser, three weeks after announcing he was receiving end-of-life care.
Dame Deborah threw the fundraising with an initial target of £250,000, but exceeded his goal 26 times after inspiring the nation.
Despite her deteriorating health, Deborah has been an inspiration to many as she launched her In The Style collection, became a lady and is launching a book.
Dame Deborah and her husband Sebastian Bowen have two children, Hugo, 14, and Eloise.
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