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 "embracing" the rain, a week after revealing she had stopped cancer treatment.
She posted a short video from the back garden of her parents' home, snuggled in a blanket while raindrops fall.
The mum-of-two was joined by her dog, who sat on a chair with her as she continues to make the most of every day.
She wrote: "A late friend once told me to embrace the rain because you never knew when you the last time you might feel that rain on your face is... so am embracing it. Albeit with blankets!"
Just days ago Deborah was sat in the same garden with Prince William, as he officially made her a Dame.
The royal was thought to have cleared his diary and made the trip to the Woking home, especially to ensure she got the gong from him.
- Donate here to keep raising money for Deborah's BowelBabe fund
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Deborah told how she had been blown away by the day, posing for a number of snaps with William and having a natter.
He talked with all of her family, who are gathered for her remaining days after she stopped active care at hospital.
The inspiring cancer campaigner was made a Dame after calls - led by The Sun - followed her astonishing fundraising effort.
On the same day she revealed the heartbreaking news she was moving to palliative care at her mum and dads, she launched the Bowelbabe fund.
Deborah, who has continued to add to her legion of supporters over the years, inspired donations of more than £6million in a week.
Last week after hitting the £5million mark, she wrote: "We’re completely lost for words. This is 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 helping us to launch a legacy to hopefully impact a lifetime cutting edge cancer care.
"Thanks to an incredibly generous donation earlier today, and to every single person who’s donated to the @bowelbabefund, we’ve just reached the unbelievable total of £5m."
The mum-of-two was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer just days before Christmas in 2016.
Yet, “riding on the wings of science” as Deborah described it, she defied the odds time and time again.
She has captured hearts and inspired millions with her Sun columns and BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C.
Last year she celebrated her 40th, and the five-year milestone.
However last summer the drugs that had been keeping her alive — which did not exist for bowel cancer patients when she was first diagnosed — stopped working.
What are the symptoms to look for? Remember "BOWEL"
- : B:Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it's important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It's important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It's especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you're not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don't be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you've lost weight and don't really know why, it's worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body - anaemia. If you develop anaemia you're likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It's most likely you'll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn't go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep.
Last Monday, she shared a heartbreaking Instagram post saying she was now receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, because the heroic efforts of her team of medics at The Royal Marsden Hospital in South West London were now fruitless.
She said her body “simply isn’t playing ball”, adding: “My body is so emaciated that I have no choice but to surrender to the inevitable.”
Deborah's main mission throughout her cancer journey has been to spread awareness that anyone can get the disease, and early diagnosis is key.
Her close friend and cancer survivor Lauren Mahon echoed this earlier today, saying on Good Morning : "If it's cancer, it's not going anywhere.
"Burying your head in the sand only means a later diagnosis. And the later it is, the less chance of getting rid of this thing.
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"Make sure you are owning your health. It will change your life.
"Look what Deborah James has done. How many lives has she saved?"
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