express.co.uk
12.08.2022 / 19:41
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‘Even the doctors were in tears’ Deborah James’ husband recalls final months together
Sebastien Bowen, the widower of the late Dame Deborah James, has discussed their final months together in a moving tribute.The London banker discussed how even the doctors “were in tears” when Deborah was moved on to end of life care. Sebastien’s late wife Deborah died two months ago after a five-year-long battle with incurable bowel cancer. On June 28, Deborah died at the age of 40 surrounded by her friends and family, after raising millions for cancer charities. Deborah used her voice on the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, as well as on her Instagram @Bowelbabe to raise awareness for the disease. The presenter and Sebastien are parents to 14-year-old son Hugo and a daughter called Eloise, 12.In Deborah’s final few weeks, she returned to her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, to spend time with her family before her death. Sebastien recalled the heartbreaking moment it was decided Deborah had to be placed on end-of-life care after bravely fighting for five years. “She came home from the Royal Marsden when they couldn’t do any more, and even the doctors who had been looking after her for the past five years and were cut from steel were in tears,” he explained.“We were told she might not make it to the weekend but, somehow, she found this inner strength and managed another eight weeks. “They were some of the most mind-blowing, magical days of both our lives.”Later on in his interview with The Times, he went on to speak about how full of life Deborah was.“She was making the most of every last moment. But that was her,” he reflected.