SUN writer Deborah James has admitted she is “finding life a little harder” after moving into end-of-life care.
The mum-of-two, 40, told fans she is getting “more and more sleepy” as she urged them to “keep loving in kindness”.
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She added she was overwhelmed at receiving a Damehood for capturing the nation’s heart with her honest accounts of cancer.
Sharing our front page which broke the news, she wrote online: “I’m humbled and blown away that five years of talking about poo can lead to a Damehood!
“I feel honoured and shocked that I even got considered.”
Deborah, known to fans as BowelBabe, heartbreakingly announced on Monday she was moved into hospice at home care.
She was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2016, which she has openly written about in her online Sun column Things Cancer Made Me Say.
More than £4million has been raised for her BowelBabe fund, which she launched on Monday to boost research into the disease.
Fans have praised her as “inspirational”, “loving” and “the most beautiful person” as a result.
Deborah said the last four days “seem like a whirlwind or surreal dream when each day I can’t fathom the kindness and generosity”.
And she thanked “the wonderful people in the world” for their unconditional support over the years.
Small chats really can save lives
Deborah James
She added on Instagram: “As I’m getting more and more sleepy and finding life a little harder, I’ve had more time to think that I’ve never stopped to realise the impact that our podcasting, and talking, and campaigning has had over five years.
“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.”
Hundreds of fans commented their love for her, including Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins, 46, Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, 52, and ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly, 62.
Her Majesty The Queen was separately said to “pleased” to make Deborah a Dame.
Boxer Anthony Joshua, 32, and David Beckham, 47, were also among those to pay tribute to her after the award.