Deborah James, who is known to millions as @BowelBabe, has revealed she has given her husband her blessing to “move on” after her death.
The You, Me and the Big C podcast host, 40, announced earlier this week that doctors do not know how much longer she has to live, and her active treatment was stopping as she moves to hospice at home care.
The mother-of-two has set up a fund for lifesaving cancer research and to support campaigns to raise awarenss of bowel cancer. It has raised more than £3 million since it launched on Monday.
Speaking in a heartwrenching interview with The Times, Deborah opened about the emotional toll her terminal cancer was having on her family.
She said: “It’s been hideous telling my children.
“We have had a string of emotional conversations that have escalated very quickly from supportive care to end-of-life care. My husband Sebastien has been incredible, he has dropped everything and is with me 24/7.”
“I don’t think I have ever seen my husband so emotional; but now he has suddenly realised the enormity of this.”
James also said she wanted her husband, Sebastien Bowen, who she married in 2008, to re-marry after her death.
She continued: “I have given him strict instructions: I want him to move on. He’s a handsome man, I’m, like, ‘Don’t be taken for a ride, don’t marry a bimbo, find someone else who can make you laugh like we did [together].”
Her story, which has gained the support of millions of people across the world, has also caught the attention of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who said on Wednesday evening that their thoughts are with her and her family.
The couple have also donated to James’s fund.
In a personal tweet written by William and Kate, they said: “Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life & tenacious desire to give back to society.
“@bowelbabe is one of those special people. Her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer & end the stigma of treatment are inspiring.
“We are so sad to hear her recent update but pleased to support the @bowelbabef, which will benefit the @royalmarsdenNHS among others.
“Deborah, our thoughts are with you, your family and your friends. Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer. W & C.”
James, who was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016, has documented her cancer experience using the moniker @BowelBabe, inspiring millions of people.
On Monday she penned a heartbreaking Instagram post revealing that “nobody knows how long I’ve got left”.
In the message to her supporters, she said her “body isn’t playing ball” and has now been moved to hospice at home care.
She wrote: “My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.
“Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not unable to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams. I know we have left no stone unturned.”
Alongside her post, Deborah announced the Bowelbabe fund for cancer research, which originally hoped to raise £250,000.
Witihin hours the total had surpassed the target, and currently stands at more than £3 million.
James said she had been “utterly blown away” by the generosity of those who had supported her.
She said: “Never in my wildest dreams thought we’d be waking up to this”.
