Friday 10 June 2022 07:37 PM Deborah James enjoys meal at country estate in the sunshine as she bravely ... trends now
Cancer-stricken BBC podcaster Dame Deborah James is pictured enjoying a meal out at a country estate in the sunshine.
The presenter, 40, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016 and is receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey, after being told she may not live beyond five years.
However, the mother-of-two - who set up the fundraiser for Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK which has now surpassed £6.5million in donations - took to Instagram to tell fans she is 'trying to find the diamond moments in the rough'.
She was pictured having lunch at the £700-a-night Beaverbrook estate in Leatherhead, Surrey and 'enjoying the sunshine on her face'.
Posting the image on Instagram, Deborah captioned the image: 'Happy Friday! Feeling grateful to be able to enjoy another moment of sunshine on my face, and food that makes me smile!
Dame Deborah James took to Instagram to tell fans she is 'trying to find the diamond moments in the rough'
The presenter, 40, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016 and is receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey, after being told she may not live beyond five years
Speaking about her cancer battle, Deborah said she has been 'consumed by anger' over the last week as she is supported by her husband Sebastien and kids Hugo and Eloise
'Just trying to find the diamond moments in the rough - but when you look hard enough you realise they can still be there! Thanks as always for your amazing messages and love. Have a good one.'
Deborah, who shares her children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, previously admitted she keeps shouting at her loved ones and pushing them away due to her anger at her disease.
The campaigner candidly spoke about the trials of her terminal illness, saying she struggles to deal with the pressure to make memories because she isn't always able to when she is 'exhausted, sick and in pain'.
'Making memories is really, really hard when you don't have the physical capacity,' she explained.
Deborah and her family are instead focusing on the small moments, including hosting an impromptu sleepover party last week.
The mother-of-two, who recently made the difficult decision to only spend time with her family and not see her friends, admitted she spent a lot of the slumber party in tears but described it as 'so special'.
The radio host said she doesn't think she will ever come to terms with her incurable diagnosis, saying she finds it heartbreaking to see her body change as she battles the illness.
She said she also finds it difficult that people don't speak openly about death, saying she hopes she can give others comfort by talking about her own experiences.
Deborah, who was awarded a damehood by Prince William last month, has been busy campaigning and has raised more than £6.6million for Cancer Research UK through her BowelBabe fund.
Quality time: She said she struggles to deal with the pressure to make memories, so instead focuses on the small moments, including having a sleepover party with her family (pictured)
Addressing why she has decided to fundraise, including selling her Rebellious Hope T-shirts, Deborah candidly said it has given her purpose during her end of life care.
Former deputy head teacher Deborah also penned her second book How To Live When You Could Be Dead, which was released in April and details her life after getting an incurable bowel cancer diagnosis.
As she receives support at her parents' home, Deborah said she finds it important to get dressed and put make-up on everyday so she can feel more like herself.
Detailing how she is spending her days, she said she sits in the conservatory in her wheelchair as she puts on her make-up, does crafts and cooks for her family, which she said she enjoys despite not having much of an appetite herself.
Speaking about how her loved ones have supported her, Deborah tearfully admitted that she has become much closer with her siblings over the past few weeks and described her parents as 'amazing'.
Struggles: She said she doesn't think she will ever come to terms with her terminal diagnosis, saying she is finding it heartbreaking to see her body change as she battles the illness
Deborah said her husband Sebastien has also been a huge support for her, and said she has enjoyed spending time with her children, though she admitted she finds it difficult for them to see her unwell.
Her comments come after she took to Instagram to share sweet photos from a 'girls night in' sleepover with her mother, sister and daughter Eloise.
She said her family managed to 'put a smile on her face' after spending 'most of yesterday in tears' with the impromptu party.
Adorable photos showed Deborah with her family in matching pink satin pyjamas and face masks, on futons covered with pink sheets and dozens of teepees.
Writing on Instagram today alongside a collage of sweet family photos she wrote: 'Making memories can be hard why you are dying! Oh the pressure!!.
Family: Dame Deborah (centre, with husband Sebastien Bowen, left, and children Eloise, 12 and Hugo, 14) was awarded a damehood by Prince William last month
'I'm now only getting some very grabbed hours between the sleeping and side effects, but this girly sleepover managed to put such a smile to my face having spent most of yesterday in tears!
