Deborah James, who co-hosts Radio 5 Live’s You, Me & The Big C podcast, found out she had incurable bowel cancer back in 2016. But after intense treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the presenter and her medical team are “rewriting the text book”.
I’m in a place I never thought possible
Deborah James
Taking to Instagram this week, the 38-year-old gave her 91,000 followers a major update on her health.
Sharing a snap of herself posing in a black swimsuit on an idyllic beach, Deborah revealed: “Ok Cancer – you chose the wrong girl. 3 Years on, 10 operations, too many scans, a lot of chemo, some fancy drugs, lots of tears… I’m still standing.
“And you (according to my most recent scans!) are still sleeping! In fact, we have cut you out, burnt you, zapped you, ablated you, used radiotherapy, used targeted therapy, used every tool in the book and right now in fact according to my team we are ‘rewriting the text book!’.”
Saying it was a “bit bonkers” and that she hadn’t quite proceeded it yet, she continued: “I have no evidence of cancer in my body, which seems bonkers considering at one stage I had 15 tumours!”
READ MORE
-
Alex Scott on Neil Jones romance claims post-Strictly
The former deputy head teacher said there is an eight per cent survival rate for patients diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer after five years.
Deborah went on: “Have I celebrated. No! (I should!) BUT I’m realistic. Yes I’m in a place I never thought possible.
“But I’ve been here once before a few years ago and it was whipped away from me six weeks later! So I’m prepared. We all are.”
The star said she was still having treatment, including sessions this week, and was “praying it continues to work”.
She added: “Being beyond grateful to be here today… still taking it one step at a time. Maybe one day I’ll do slightly larger steps and start looking beyond the next two weeks!
“I hope… in the meantime I’ll just keep ‘living’… #f***youcancer #cancer #bowelcancer.”
She was immediately inundated with messages, with one user telling her: “You bl**dy legend xxx.”
A second agreed: “Oh wow wow wow my beautiful friend this is amazing. Cannot wait to see you to give you an enormous hug.”
DON’T MISS…
Matt Baker: ‘My mistake’ The One Show host apologises to guest [VIDEO]
Louise Redknapp breaks silence on relationship with Kevin Clifton [INTERVIEW]
Steph McGovern: BBC Breakfast star addresses recurring health issue [LATEST]
“This just absolutely made my day! I am beyond happy for you about this and I know it’s hard to celebrate because we never know what’s round the corner but you’re winning right now, and that’s all that matters. Lots of love xx,” a third posted.
In a follow-up post, she said she was “blown away and humbled” by messages of support and revealed: “I’m scared, waiting for the floor to be whipped, wondering how long it will last”.
However, she added: “But I’m hopeful. And grateful. So onwards and upwards.”
Deborah started co-presenting You, Me And The Big C with Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland in 2018.
READ MORE
- Rod Stewart’s wife Penny admits romance started after ‘dare’
They earned praise for their frank discussions about cancer.
Tragically the latter died in September that year at the age of 40, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Her husband wrote online: “Our brave, beautiful, wonderful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family.
“We are all heartbroken and the hole she leaves in our perfect little family will never be filled.”
Source: Read Full Article