DEBORAH James has walked for the first time in nine days after a “traumatic” medical emergency left her fighting for her life.
Trending In The News columnist, who has advanced bowel cancer, was filmed taking cautious steps through the hospital corridors.
Deborah, 40, told her almost 280,000 Instagram followers that she’s endured four operations in one week.
She is “beyond shattered with a very weak body”.
But the brave former teacher, who writes the Sun column Things Cancer Made Me Say, is still ploughing on.
The mum-of-two, who was diagnosed with incurable stage 4 bowel cancer in 2016, was admitted to hospital over a week ago with “an acute medical emergency”.
On Sunday, she posted: “Today I walked – it’s the first time in 9 days I’ve been able to try.
“It’s never been so hard to muster the strength and conviction to do so.
“I’ve had 4 operations this week (with more to come), am beyond shattered with a very weak body. But somehow my body is still ploughing on.
“Sometimes all we can do is take things step by step. The nurses and doctors are being incredible – I’ve cried on pretty much everyone that pops thier head around the door! [sic]”
Deborah was filmed slowly walking through the hospital while in a pink gown, with various cannulas attached to her.
She penned: “I’m making progress, it’s slow, but steady. I’m still being monitored very closely.
“No idea what the next plan is – it’s just taking things bit by bit. It’s hard when you just want a plan, but the plan is really to try to get me better, whatever pathway that takes.
“My drains are to do with my bile duct – which they finally stented (well we are in the middle of that process), and acities, which I’ve had 10 litres drained already hence why I’m don’t look pregnant anymore!
“Thanks for all your wonderful messages. They have blown me away. I’m not in a position to respond but I very much appreciate the kindness.”
SCARY SIX MONTHS
Deborah, who has survived cancer against all odds, has been thrown numerous obstacles in the past few months.
After the latest admission, she said she was “not ready to discuss what happened yet as the trauma of it all has been incredibly intense”.
Posting a picture of her smiling and giving a thumbs up in hospital on Friday, she said: “In 5 years of having stage 4 Cancer – this has been the hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest of them all.
“I’d always prepared for my death, but I wasn’t prepared for something so blindsiding and traumatic to happen. I can’t quite believe I’m here to write this.
“A week ago my whole family was praying I’d pull through the night. I’m getting a lot of help and support to come to terms with the trauma I’ve been through.”
In December, Deborah said she was facing another “uncertain phase” with her stage 4 bowel cancer, after a “scary six months”.
Deborah’s liver started to fail in the summer because a rapidly growing tumour tried to wrap itself around her bile duct, and she was given an emergency stent.
In December, the liver stent stopped working and doctors were unable to replace it.
Deborah said she was looking for a “magic medicine miracle”, while weighing up the options ahead of her.
Meanwhile, Deborah battled a bowel infection called colitis which saw her rushed to hospital with septic shock twice.
She reached the milestone of her 40th birthday – which she never thought she would reach – in October.
Deborah was waiting to find out what the next steps of her treatment would be in the New Year after her liver stent replacement op failed.
At Christmas, she was told she would be able to restart chemotherapy in 2022 because her body was strong enough.
The brave mum has chronicled her journey with cancer for five years now, fast becoming a national treasure
After being told she had stage four bowel cancer in 2016, at just 35 years old, she chose to share every step of her journey with the world.
Deborah was told she didn’t have long left.
But she has become one of the eight per cent of people with her type of cancer who live for at least five years following diagnosis.
