Anyone watching the Deborah James documentary?

[TheChosenTwo]

Just putting it on now, had never heard of her until after she’d died and raised so much money.

Yes I did.

Very touching. Never felt like she had a good rep here on MN but her story is one to be shared.

So so sad, yes just watched it and having a good cry. Don't recall seeing anything bad about her on here though

I don’t know about any of the MN stuff! Hope not to resurrect anything of bad taste.
Found it kind of a weirdly made documentary, thought it would be more based on her treatment paths etc but was of the style where they had snipped together lots of her social media posts, podcasts and then voice notes in the latter few weeks.
Regardless, the treatment was brutal.
not sure what I was expecting when I sat down to watch it really, of course it was always going to end in her death and it was going to be sad but she did live as much of her last few years as well as she could.

I watched it. I also didn't know about her until towards the end of her life. Actually, a bit before that, when Rachel Bland died. This has made me cry so much, especially her last chat on the podcast and Rachel's husband breaking. She had such a huge strength of will, even at the end, and I am glad her charity has done so well. I hope it helps a great many people.

I want to watch it, but my friend died 4 months after her of exactly the same condition. Deborah was such a source of strength during her treatment. It’s so sad. RIP Deborah, RIP to my dear and beautiful friend 💔

I watched it and did follow her on IG. I found her so brave and awe inspiring.
I too hope her charity goes on to help so many people.
I caved when she was talking about wanting to spend more time watching her children grow up. Heartbreaking.

@backaftera2yearbreak So sorry to hear this.

Why wasn’t she well thought of on mumsnet?

That was a heartbreaking watch.

I was very fond of her. I think some of the negativity she received was just nasty - (mainly because people thought she was either too “sexy” (sexifying cancer, as if anyone could!) or attacking her for being unclear about which treatments she’d paid privately for (which she did address on her page). My Mum, Gran and Uncle all died of bowel cancer and it is a very misunderstood condition, people don’t realise how quickly it can kill you if you don’t get it diagnosed early. Even this week on Mumsnet we’ve had someone putting off going to the doctor about blood in their poo because they’re scared. I think DJ did a lot to raise awareness and for that she should be commended.

I followed and admired her, but she was very wealthy and had access to private treatment which she wasnt always very clear about. It was maybe mentioned but lots of her treatments would not have been available as quickly to NHS patients.

She also didnt credit her phrase 'Rebellious Hope' to Nightbirde (American artist who also died young from cancer). This phrase sold lots of t shirts and made money for her fund, so not terrible, but just seemed off that she took credit for it.

The awareness and legacy she left was incredible though.

I also think the documentary was a bit underwhelming - if you followed her on SM you would have seen everything in the doc already, there were no new interviews with her family/friends/medical team or anyone really - it was just clips of her dancing and extracts from her previous interviews

I watched it last night.

I didn't know much about her prior. She was fabulous and lived so well with cancer until the last few months. Amazing amount of money raised in her name, her family must have taken great comfort from this.

I've not seen the negativity about her, but I was struck by how she represented cancer from a very privileged point of view. I wasn't aware that she had private treatment, but I was very aware of how her experience was very much from a white, affluent, educated point of view and that actually the voices I'd like to hear would be from those whose life experience isn't that - who can't find work in the media because they don't have the connections and education, who can't afford fancy dresses, and don't have a beautiful house a backdrop to their Instagram posts. I know Deborah felt that she was exposing her cancer journey to help others, but I'm not entirely sure how realistic her experience was compared to the vast majority of people.

oh she got Check your poo slogan out
Tesco put it on their loo rolls
it needed somebody to be outspoken about poo
i hope her family gained some comfort

My brother died of stage 4 bowel cancer last year, his story was very similar to Deborah's and I know he had great respect for her. Life is very unfair. Hopefully early detection has improved as a result of her story.

This wasn't actually DJ's idea, it was suggested by an employee of M&S.

corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-releases/ms-toilet-roll-packaging-bowel-cancer-symptom-now-available-store

Was her treatment private or NHS? I presumed a mix of both based on this documentary and nothing else as I didn’t follow her during her journey. I also saw a lot of what I presumed was private hospital/treatment but she mentioned the nhs saving her life.
Tragic at the end just saying all she ever wanted was more time with her kids. Surely that’s all any of us with dc would want.

I lost 2 friends to cancer earlier on this year, one around my age (a bit younger than Deborah) and one 10 years older and none of them ever displayed her energy in the last year of their lives.
Obviously everyone reacts and feels very differently and no one’s treatments are the same. And as mentioned in the documentary it’s not a case of whose cancer is worse than whose.
Just made me feel extra sad for my friends really. It’s all just so crap and I sort of wish I hadn’t watched it at all.
Something obviously drew me in though!

Yes I've watched a very close family member die slowly from cancer and it was just heartbreaking, no dancing or happiness tbh. I did find DJ enthusiasm and energy amazing, just wondered how her husband felt, we didn't see much of him 😞

That’s true @Kittykatchunjy - I suppose I was expecting to hear from her husband, parents etc. I know there were a few snippets but I guess it wasn’t that sort of informative documentary. Kind of strange but really just not what I had anticipated it would be - just scrolled, spotted it and thought I’d watch. I always prefer to watch documentaries than fiction which is why it drew me in.

My mum died of bowel cancer 33 years ago. She was given 6 weeks. Her treatment was appalling. In fact the NHS didn’t have a treatment plan they just cut her up and discharged her. It’s good to see that now there is hope for patients. That Money is being spent on this dreadful disease. Deborah raised the profile of this cancer and to be honest if she had private treatment so what. I would have spent my last pound on keeping my mum alive. If anyone really believes that celebrities and the wealthy use the NHS then you are wrong. If they can afford it they will go private.

Just watching her documentary now. She's not someone I've ever particularly warmed to bit I've just watched the programme and my opinion has totally changed. She was amazing, what an incredible woman. I love her. My heart goes out to her family.