Tom Parker’s widow, Kelsey Parker, has shared a touching message to Deborah James after she revealed she was under hospice care and no longer able to have treatment.
The You, Me and the Big C podcast host, 40, had told her followers that she was having hospice care at home and it was unknown how long she had left after battling bowel cancer for five years.
Kelsey, 32, took to her Instagram story to share a touching tribute to Deborah and thank her for the support she had shown to Tom, who died at the end of March at the age of 33 after battling a stage four glioblastoma brain tumour.
She wrote: ‘Sending love, light and strength to you, your family and babies. Deborah, you are an Earth Angel. You’ve raised so much awareness and money, you’re a hero.
‘Your courage is inspiring. You were a pillar of strength for my Tommy Boy, always there with advice.
‘I know you were both members of a club that you didn’t want to be in. I wish we all could’ve met under different circumstances.’
Kelsey shared the raising money for cancer charities, and added: ‘Like Tom, you’ve never let cancer define you and what a legacy you’ve created.’
Deborah had confirmed on Monday that she was no longer able to have active treatment for her bowel cancer and was spending the rest of her time
She wrote: ‘The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball.
‘My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.
‘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.’
Deborah added: ‘In over 5 years of writing about how I thought it would be my final Christmas, how I wouldn’t see my 40th birthday nor see my kids go to secondary school – I never envisaged writing the one where I would actually say goodbye. I think it’s been the rebellious hope in me.
‘But It’s all heartbreaking to be going through but I’m surrounded by so much love that if anything can help me through I hope that will.’
She had set up the Bowelbabe fund to raise money for Cancer Research, the Royal Marsden and Bowel Cancer UK as a legacy to leave behind.
Deborah concluded her message: ‘Right now for me it’s all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise.
‘My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I’ll cry!!) at every possible moment! You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey. No regrets. Enjoy life x Deborah.’
