Deborah James has said she is 'gutted' she won't be able to see her new project in real life following her heartbreaking health update.
Earlier this month, the author, podcaster, and cancer campaigner, known on social media as Bowel Babe, issued a final goodbye to her friends and followers online, announcing she has been moved to hospice at-home care for her bowel cancer.
On Tuesday evening she returned to Instagram with some exciting news with her followers - she shared the title and cover of her second book.
Advert
Titled How To Live When You Could Be Dead, Deborah explained in the caption that the book is about 'learning on how to have a positive mindset when we are faced with life’s biggest challenges'.
The book has been fast tracked with a publication date now set for 18 August 2022, after a date in January 2023 was originally set.
All of Deborah's royalties will go into the Bowelbabe fund and publisher Penguin has agreed to make an additional contribution per each copy sold, meaning altogether the donation per book will be £3.
Advert
She added in the Instagram caption: "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 2 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!!!
Advert
"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.
"We have worked really hard over the last few days to ensure the book benefits Bowelbabe Fund as much as possible. All my royalties will go to the fund and Penguin have kindly agreed to make an additional contribution per book. Altogether the donation per book will be £3.
"£3 per book sold in the UK will go to Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK."
Deborah was first diagnosed with bowel cancer back in 2016, and had been keeping people up to date on her journey through her Instagram account 'Bowel Babe'.
Advert
In a heartbreaking Instagram post last month, she wrote: "Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams.
"I know we have left no stone unturned. But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore."
For more information and advice on bowel cancer, visit Bowel Cancer UK.
Advert
You can donate to the Bowel Babe fund here and pre-order Deborah's book here.