Dame Deborah James has shared pictures on Instagram of a grand day out at Ascot. The cancer campaigner, who has more than 930,000 followers on the social network as Bowel Babe, said on her post that she "ain't dead yet".
With a face wreathed in smiles, the podcaster went to the races on Wednesday (June 15) with her brother Benjamin. Her outing was just weeks after she was awarded a damehood by the Queen.
Speaking in the matter-of-fact way which has endeared her to millions, she said: "Yesterday was really special as with a lot of effort and help I actually made it to @ascotracecourse once again. I honestly have to pinch myself that I’ve been well enough each day to do something like this.
"Another favourite I’d had in mind and a fab milestone to say 'ain’t dead yet!' Obviously like most haven’t been for a while due to Covid, but so nice to be back and thank you to @ascotracecourse for making the whole experience for me and my brother just seamless and achievable for me."
She also revealed she had a little flutter - and came off the victor: "Memories made, but most importantly I got 3 wins in a row and am still bouncing off the ceiling from them still!!!"
The 40-year-old mum-of-two has been at home with her parents for more than a month now on hospice-at-home care.
She went on: "I find myself living in limbo land, not really knowing what the future holds and for how long. It’s a very stressful uncertain place to be because when I was discharge from hospital over a month ago I was given days, maybe a week to live. And I felt like it.
"But as we all know life doesn’t go according to plan, so I’m just grateful for what ever extra time, the powers that be have decided to grant me. So despite the unnerving tears, I look at the sunshine, smile, and think, wow, life is a funny thing isn’t it!! Better enjoy it!"
She added the hashtags #onedayatatime and #aintdeadyet. Dame Deborah was initially diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016.
She has raised more than £6.5million after launching her fundraising efforts in May.
