Deborah James brings BBC pals to tears in latest podcast as she unsubscribes with ‘That’s it from me’
DEBORAH James moved her podcast producer to tears as she bid farewell to her latest poignant episode, saying: “That’s it from me”.
The Sun columnist, known as Bowel Babe, has been living with colon cancer since 2016.
6
6
She announced this week that she is now receiving hospice care and will spend her final days surrounded by her family.
In her latest episode of her BBC podcast, You, Me and the Big C: Putting the can in cancer, she spoke about stopping active treatment.
In the episode, poignantly titled Deborah James’ Last Dance, she spoke candidly with producer Mike Holt.
The pair shared a powerful conversation about their final days and the podcast’s impact on cancer patients.
Mike struggled to contain his emotions as Deborah said she was comforted by the thought that she would be dating Rachel Bland – her co-host on the podcast, who tragically died in 2018.
She said “I’m going to a party with her” as an overwhelmed Mike let out a shaky breath.
Fighting back tears, she added, “I think if she can do it, I can do it. We, on the other hand, always had a joke about grim reapers.
“I still have it as one of my gifs, so it’s ironic. Maybe she’ll meet me on the other side and say, ‘Wow, better late than never!’
He later told her, fighting back tears, “Debs. I think you should be really proud.
“The work has always been to raise awareness about colon cancer and cancer in general.
“What you did when you had cancer defined you and what you did was inspirational.
“I’ll finish this sentence – working with you has been one of the most inspiring experiences.”
This week, Deborah revealed her BowelBabe fund and urged her supportive fans to help it thrive.
Donations can be made at bowelbabe.org and more than £2million was raised in less than 24 hours.
She asked supporters to buy her a drink to “see me out of this world” by donating the cost to the fund.
The Sun columnist said it would raise money for more life-saving cancer research “to give more Deborahs more time.”
The money will be donated between Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK and the Royal Marsden.
6
6
Colon Cancer Symptoms to Talk to Your GP About:
The five warning signs of colon cancer are:
- Bleeding from the posterior passage or blood in your stool
- A change in your normal toilet habits – for example, walking more often
- Pain or a lump in your abdomen
- Extreme tiredness
- lose weight
Tumors in the gut typically bleed, which can lead to a shortage of red blood cells, known as anemia. It can cause fatigue and sometimes shortness of breath.
In some cases, colon cancer can block the bowel, this is called a bowel obstruction.
Other signs of colon cancer are:
- Gripping pains in abdomen
- bloating
- Constipation and inability to breathe
- Be sick
- The feeling that you have to exert yourself – like number two – but after you’ve been to the toilet
As she said goodbye, she told a devastated Mike, “We’ll meet again somewhere, somehow, dancing.
“And until then, please, please just enjoy life because it’s so precious. All I want now is more time and more life.”
She then joked, “And check your poop. I can’t say another word except “Check your poop.”
The mum wrote her latest column for The Sun yesterday, in which she revealed she has been making keepsake boxes for her children.
She wrote: “I went into mental overdrive and with the help of my husband Seb we made sure the kids had keepsake boxes – we bought them gifts for certain important birthdays to come.
“I don’t want to die – I can’t face the thought that I won’t see my children’s weddings or see them grow up – that I will no longer be a part of the life I love so much.
“I’m not brave – I’m not dying gracefully – I’m just a scared girl doing something I don’t have a choice about, but I know I’m grateful for the life I’ve had.
“It’s been a crazy whirlwind, but I’ve done things I never thought I could or would do in my life.”
6
6
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun newsroom?
https://www.the-sun.com/health/5312563/deborah-james-final-podcast-tears/ Deborah James brings BBC pals to tears in latest podcast as she unsubscribes with ‘That’s it from me’