Deborah James has admitted she is "getting more and more sleepy" as she shared a message of thanks to her fans on social media. On Friday (May 13), the podcast host confessed she is finding "life a little harder" in a post to her 623,000 followers on Instagram.
It comes after it was announced on Thursday evening (May 12) that the Queen would honour Deborah with a Damehood outside of the usual schedule - just days after revealing she is receiving end-of-life care for her bowel cancer The 40-year-old said she is “humbled and blown away” by her damehood, adding that the news has been "overwhelming".
Deborah was initially diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer back in December 2016, at 35 years old. Since then she has been sharing her experiences online, where she has become one of three presenters on BBC Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C and well-known online as "Bowel Babe'.
READ MORE: Deborah James 'blown away' over Damehood as she aims to raise £5m to fight cancer by weekend
As of this week, Deborah's charity efforts have sky-rocketed, raising a whopping £4m for Cancer Research UK since Monday, May 9, thanks to donations pouring in for her cancer research fundraising initiative. Her original goal was to hit £250,000 for Cancer Research UK, but so far she'd gone on to reach more than 16 times that.
Now, the mum-of-two has expressed her joy and pride at the news, saying she is 'blown away' to be honoured with a damehood and hopes to reach £5m before the end of the weekend.
"I don’t even know where to start with the overwhelming tears getting in the way." She told her followers on Instagram. "I’m humbled and blown away that 5 years of talking about poo can lead to a Damehood! I feel honoured and shocked that I even got considered.
"These last four days of your unwavering support launching the @bowelbabefund to benefit @cr_uk, @royalmarsden and @bowelcanceruk seem like a whirl wind of surreal dreaming when each day I can’t fathom the kindness and generosity.
She continued to add her "heartfelt" thanks to the "wonderful people in the world", adding: "£4 Million!!! I can simply only give thanks for the wonderful people in the world and say the most heartfelt thank you for your unconditional support not just now but over the years."
However, the star then went on to reveal that she's been "getting more and more sleeping and finding life a little harder." She said that since having more time to think, she's never stopped to realise the impact her podcasting and campaigning efforts have had over the last five years.
She added: "Small chats really can save lives, small conversations can create ripples far beyond where we might see them, and seeds might grow where we’re never see their fruits. And there is something exciting and beautiful in that cycle of life.
"With this money hopefully more people will have more time with their loved ones. : who knows what plants we might grow, but when done with hope we pray that some blossom into game changers for our kids, and many more to come. Keep loving in kindness, with rebellious hope always."
Deborah's co-hosting role on the You, Me And The Big C podcast began in 2018, alongside Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland, which gained lots of praise by listeners due to their frank discussions about cancer. Bland passed away in September that year at the age of 40, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Deborah recently revealed that hospice advised her she could have "weeks at most" and opened up about her final days with her family.
Donations can be made at bowelbabe.org.
