Dame Deborah James has said she is ‘utterly blown away’ by the response to her second book. She previously said that she was ‘gutted’ she will not live to see her second book published in a touching Instagram post yesterday (May 17).
The 40-year-old, known online as Bowel Babe, has raised over £6 million through her final fundraiser to raise awareness of bowel cancer in younger people. Originally, the Bowel Babe Fund was aiming to raise £250,000, with fans ensuring it surpassed expectations.
She revealed on Tuesday evening that she has written a second book, called How To Live When You Could Be Dead. In the caption, the You, Me and the Big C podcaster expressed her deepest regret that she is unlikely to be alive by the time the book is published, despite the fact the release date has been brought forward.
Read more: Dame Deborah James says there's 'so much to smile about in the sadness' but is 'getting weaker'
It comes after inspirational Deborah revealed last week she had moved to hospice care with her family after battling stage four bowel cancer since 2016.
She captioned the post: "I wrote another book!! So I've got a few things to share with you before I die that I'm gutted I won't see in real life! But I've now been granted permission to share them and I'm really excited!
"For the last two years, I've been working on my second book How to Live when you could be Dead - oh the irony of the title! I wanted to share all my (hard-won!!) learning on how to have a positive mindset when we are faced with life's biggest challenges.
"Whilst it is in its final edits, as anyone in publishing will know, suddenly changing book publication dates (regardless of health!) isn't an easy feat. It was originally due out Jan 2023!!!
"All things considered, Penguin have managed to put it on pre-order and are aiming to publish it on the 18th August! It is still long after I'm flying high, but hopefully a little less longer for you to wait."
Dame Deborah's first book, F*** You Cancer: How To Face The Big C, Live Your Life And Still Be Yourself, was published in 2018.
She also explained that £3 from each book sold will go to her Bowel Babe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
Today, she revealed she had taken a trip to RHS Garden Wisley before the crowds to ‘say well done for the book launch.’ She described it as ‘perfect’ and said she was now going to ‘snooze for most of the day (in the sun like a cat!)’
She wrote: “I love this picture, reminding me of vibrant green life all around, despite the sadness of knowing the state of my body inside. But Seb is an utter rock for me and together we seem to be able to squeeze our hands, swallow the tears and laugh instead.
“I’m blown away and utterly grateful by the response to the book pre-launch and sheer numbers of you who have kindly ordered it. Not only contributing to the Bowel Babe fund, but also making it number one on the bestseller Amazon list.
“My first book just missed out, so maybe just maybe I’ll never know about this one, but I’m sure I’ll be celebrating somewhere!!”
She followed her last Instagram post with a heart emoji and a glass of wine.
Deborah received messages of support from famous faces underneath her poignant Instagram post. Sophie Ellis Bextor wrote: That’s gorgeous. Congratulations on the book. Pre-ordered of course. Lots of love as ever.” Susanna Reid commented a string of love heart emojis.
The former deputy headteacher was made a dame on Friday, after the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, visited her at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey, to personally hand over the honour.
She said she was ‘utterly honoured’ that William had joined her family for afternoon tea, but admitted her ‘cleaning antics and preparation went off the scale’ as she got ready for the royal visit.
William and Kate had previously donated to her fund and thanked the campaigner for her ‘tireless efforts.’
