BBC presenter Deborah James, who has incurable stage four bowel cancer, has admitted she’s ‘really, really scared’ amid the worsening coronavirus crisis.
The mother-of-two, 38, from London, who presents the Radio 5 Live podcast ‘You, me and the Big C’, appeared on Lorraine this morning via video link, where she explained that despite fears her treatment ‘must go on’.
In January, the former deputy headteacher announced that her most recent scans had shown ‘no evidence of cancer’ in her body for the first time since her diagnosis in 2016, but she still needs regular treatment.
She told the show that while she’s in a ‘good place’ health-wise, she is still taking ‘uber precautions’ to self-isolate as best she can, because she’s still very vulnerable.
Her efforts include home-schooling her children amid the pandemic, and has gone ‘old school’ to stay entertained with knitting and tie dye, while teasing that quarantine is ‘tough for a party girl like her’.
Podcast presenter Deborah James, (pictured) who has incurable stage four bowel cancer, appeared on Lorraine via video link this morning, where she admitted she’s ‘really, really scared’ amid the worsening coronavirus crisis
The mother-of-two, a former deputy head from South West London, has shared her journey with the disease including candid photos of herself undergoing treatment and has now opened up a page for those quarantined with children
Deborah, pictured at the W Marriott Grosvenor House London 90th Anniversary in April 2019, joked that being in isolation is ‘tough for a party girl’
She said: ‘I think anyone in a high risk condition is a little bit scared on how to play it. I’m not on lock down, but I am taking uber precautions.’
The mum added: ‘I am someone who lives with cancer and I am in a good place, I’m really, really scared.
‘I still have to go into the hospital to have treatment, but there are some aspects of life that have to go on. So, a massive thank you to everyone on the front line, who keep the world ticking.’
Deborah went on to quiz health editor Dr. Hillary on how the public should know if they’re high-risk.
Deborah went on to quiz health editor Dr. Hillary (pictured left) on how the public should know if they’re high-risk
The medical expert explained that there’s a distinction between the vulnerable and high risk, using someone recovering from an organ transplant as an example of a high-risk patient.
He said: ‘I don’t know how recently you went through chemotherapy but you’ve certainly been through a lot.
‘I think you’re being very sensible right now, I think classing yourself as vulnerable is sensible.’
The mother teased: ‘Me being a party girl, it’s very hard. What we all want to do, is get through this and have a big party after.
Dr. Hilary responded: ‘You have to socially distance, work from home and not take public transport and you’ll be fine’.
A recent photo of Deborah receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London
Deborah (pictured here in hospital) has undergone countless rounds of grueling treatment and operations after she was diagnosed in 2016
Deborah went on to open up about her new Instagram project ‘Grid School’, where she shares fun ways of teaching children during quarantine.
The former teacher insisted that parents who are ‘juggling’ children while working from home, should set their kids fun ‘old school’ art projects like knitting or tie dye.
‘I used to be a teacher so I’ve set up a bit of a home school with my mum on Instagram’, she said, ‘And hopefully it’ll pull a lot of things people are doing.
‘We’re at home with our kids the best thing we can do is get them reading, having some fun. I’m going old-school, I’m learning to knit, tie dye, art projects on the go.