Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2 2018 från Chat Specials

Getting a diagnosis can be life-changing – but what if it’s wrong? Yvonne (pg34) thought her young daughter Annabelle had a simple cold, but within hours she was paralysed from the nose down. When Jackie (pg44) was told by a doctor that she wouldn’t make old age, she was devastated. Read her story to find out why she wasn’t so quick to celebrate when she discovered it wasn’t true. Some people believe their love was meant to be, and none more so than Danielle (pg40) and her husband Daniel. They were born in the same hospital, on the same day – and the coincidences don’t stop there. Teamwork makes the dream work and when Diane (pg33) united with her daughter, she achieved more than she ever thought possible. But some…

After eight decades I'm finally on the road Keith Limbert, 79, Garforth, West Yorkshire Relaxing in the passenger seat, I pulled down the sun visor. I’d just been for a day at the races, and my personal chauffeur – my wife Anne – had just picked me up. ‘Enjoy your day?’ she asked. ‘Perfect!’ I replied. Anne was always happy to ferry me around. You see, aged 79, I still couldn’t drive! I’d had a few lessons when I was 24, back in the 60s, but I just didn’t take to it. I would always get away with cycling to work or catching a lift with a mate. Anne was different. She’d passed her test the first time round back in 1971, and bought a Morris. We shared lovely days…

I’m not the only one she’d tricked with her lies Getting that phone call from my mum, Joss, was something I’d been dreading for a long time. ‘I’m sorry love, but your grandad’s had a stroke,’ she said. ‘He’s in hospital.’ My grandad John and I had always been so close. Growing up, he would be there for all my dance recitals and would take me to my swimming lessons. We often went to the local garden centre, where he would treat me to tea and cake. She was popping up everywhere Now, jumping into the car, I raced to the hospital as fast as I could to be by his side. He looked so vulnerable there, covered in tubes and wires. ‘It’s going to be OK, Grandad,’ I told…

Finance guru Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert (moneysavingexpert.com) shares his insider tips that will surprise even the most savvy shopper… Just ask! There’s nothing wrong with asking for a discount, and many high street stores will give you 10 percent off – just for asking the question. You’ve got nothing to lose. Abandon your basket When shopping online, add a few products to your basket and leave them there for a day or two – the retailer will soon send an email to remind you about your ‘forgotten’ items. These emails usually come with a discount code. Decipher the code Store tags often hold hidden info. In preparation for sales, shop staff scribble numbers, letters or dots on the price tags. If you spot these mysterious markings on…

Summer Saving Trying to save this summer? The Money Advice Service gives us their tips on reducing costs while the sun is shining. Go through your old clothes It’s tempting to splash out on a new summer wardrobe, but there’s a good chance you’ve forgotten about perfectly decent clothes since you wore them last year. Sort through what you have first before going shopping. Go for a run Gym memberships might keep you fit in the winter, but while the sun is out, why not get some fresh air instead? Cancel your gym membership, or at least pause it until the weather turns. Eat al fresco Head out for a picnic instead of eating out. You’ll also save a huge amount by bringing your own booze – often where restaurants…

Second best This summer sees the big screen revisiting plenty of movie classics. There’s more Abba action in Mamma Mia! Here we go again; kids will be happy with The Incredibles 2 while teens will love sequels Jurassic World 2 and Marvel’s Ant Man and The Wasp. At the end of July, Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt for the sixth time in Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Ocean’s 8 swaps George Clooney and co for a full female crime team. Mindful exercise This summer its’s all about combining exercise with good deeds. Plogging is a mash-up of jogging and the Swedish ‘plocka upp’ meaning pick up. As you run, you collect litter. It’s literally sweeping the country! There’s also a resurgence of group fitness classes with an instructor –…

Before Danielle, I wasn't sure what was happening with my future. It was the same for Danielle, as things hadn't worked out for her, either. When we met at the coffee shop, it was love at first sight. It then became apparent we felt like we'd met somewhere before. We racked our brains trying to figure out where and when we could have met. Then we discovered that we were both born on the same day in the same hospital. Had we met as babies? It felt like we'd known each other for years – it was true love. It must have been fate. At the stroke of midnight on May 13, 2017 – our first wedding anniversary – Daisy May Dawson was born and is the absolute light of…

Time was running out so we splashed out for the first time ever Sitting at the kitchen table with our expenses, I tried to figure out more ways to save money. ‘Not much more we can cut back on,’ my husband Rob, 61, frowned, looking around our small, run-down bungalow. Since meeting in 1989, Rob and I had worked hard for every penny – Rob administering MOTs, and me a care assistant. But in 2006, I had to give up my job due to crippling arthritis, depression and lung disease. Then, in 2016, Rob quit work to become my full-time carer. We’d moved into a small bungalow riddled with woodworm and roof leaks, but we were happy. For the next few years, we got by on benefits. Our son Jason,…

Looking at the teacher, I tried my best to concentrate, but my head was pounding. Not again, I thought. I was just a teenager, but I suffered terrible migraines. Medicine helped, but I thought I’d just have to live with them. Then, at 21, something terrifying happened… I went to bed and woke up surrounded by paramedics. Then I was rushed to Colchester General Hospital. I’d had an epileptic fit. My sister Laura had found me fitting in bed. Terrified, she and my parents had dialled 999. The seizure lasted 20 minutes and had come on out of nowhere. I was sent for tests, including an MRI scan. Then... ‘You have a cyst on the front of your brain,’ a neurosurgeon explained to me. It was a benign sac that…

Remember me? I was in the magazine in May 2017 after I scooped my second big win on Sapphire Bingo, winning an incredible £1,000. That was just a year after I had my biggest windfall of £1,250 in April 2016. Now I’m back! I first joined Chat Mag Bingo in September 2013 and I’ve loved every minute of it. Even my daughter Glynnis, 47, has signed up. My favourite games are Sapphire Bingo and the Tiki slot games. And I like chatting away with the other members. Glynnis and I love nights in on the sofa in front of the TV, with our tablets, playing bingo. ‘I can guess what you’re up to!’ my husband Ivor, 67, jokes. After my win in February 2017, I won two more Full Houses,…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family ( www.cff.org.uk ) answers your questions. In conflict Q My husband and I have just had a baby but now we disagree on everything about raising him. We’re constantly arguing. Should I be worried? Tara, London A This is a common problem, but the good news is there are things you can do to help ‘baby-proof’ your marriage. Firstly, make time for each other to help you stay connected. Ask a friend or relative to babysit, even if it’s just for a quick walk. What’s important is that you and your husband find a healthy way to resolve your differences. Choose the right time to talk, and use non-accusatory ‘I’ statements instead ‘You’ statements. For…

My girl needed surgery and 20 stitches Watching my four-year-old daughter’s huge smile was making all the hard work worth it. I’d sketched out a castle on the wall of the bedroom Ellie-Mai shared with her sister Lily, three, and we were painting it a beautiful shade of pink. ‘I love it,’ she giggled, paintbrush in hand. Ellie-Mai was my little princess and she deserved her very own castle. As the oldest of three, she was always helping me out with Lily and her baby sister Sophira. I’d been a single parent when I’d welcomed her into the world, and we’d become an unbreakable team. She was screaming hysterically My mum had been amazing, letting me stay with her as I settled into being a mum. Ellie-Mai was a perfect…

Melissa Richardson, 23, Edinburgh Size-14 in my teens, my weight never worried me. But, heading to Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, aged 18, to study Business Management, I started scoffing stodge. Sandwiches, chips, kebabs, pizzas, all washed down with fizzy drinks, wine, or cocktails on boozy nights out. My new lifestyle meant that my waistline expanded to size-18. Bubbly and happy, I just shrugged it off – until I saw my graduation photos. The huge robes barely covered my flabby folds. I tried to bury my feelings and, that July, working part-time at a jeweller’s, I continued eating junk on my breaks. Three months later, I’d ballooned to 19st and a size-22. Miserable, I decided to join a local gym, and got a personal trainer, too. His words spurred me on…

Noticing six marks on my neck in January last year, I took myself off to see my GP. ‘You have shingles,’ he said. Over the next fortnight, I was really poorly, with an awful constant stabbing pain in the back of my neck. Things got much worse. First, my lips began to tingle, and hours later, I was horrified when I looked at myself in the mirror. The right side of my face was drooping! ‘I’m having a stroke!’ I panicked, dialling 999. I was rushed to the Stroke ward at Scunthorpe General Hospital and kept in for 48 hours. I couldn’t talk, eat, drink or even smile. And the pain hadn’t gone away, either. My kids Megan, 18, and Connor, 17, were worried sick about me. Medics soon confirmed…

It made my legs look worse not better Looking in the mirror, all I could see was a bulging tummy, wobbly arms and flabby thighs. ‘Look at me,’ I sighed, poking at my fat thighs. ‘You’ve got nothing to worry about,’ my boyfriend Steve said. But I didn’t believe him. In the past, I’d spent a lot of time in the gym trying my best to keep in shape. But by March 2015, at 37, my workload had become too heavy for me to spend my time on running machines. I was unhappy with the way I looked, but I just didn’t have the time to do anything about it. Then, reading the paper one Sunday morning, I came across an advert. Special offer – Fat Freeze – Half price,…

Surgeons had too remove 17lbs of my flesh Growing up, I’d always been chubby. But when I had my daughter Helana at 17, in October 1994, I really piled on the pounds. It was tough being a young mum, and I used food to make me feel better. I stuffed sausage, bacon, eggs and potatoes into a burrito for breakfast, and scoffed fast food for lunch. This was followed by a huge evening meal. In February 1996, I had Eryka, and then Khristopher in June 1997. Life was hectic! But I always found time for food, munching through six sharing bags of Doritos a week. By the time I was 29, I was tipping the scales at a massive 28st 9lb. Eventually, I split with the kids’ dad and I…

Mostly A: Grease You’re all about being loyal to your mates, but even more so about maintaining your reputation. You’re up to date on the latest trends and in on the gossip. And you’d go weak at the knees for some summer lovin’ with a bloke in a leather jacket… Mostly B: Dirty dancing While you’re a true romantic, you also have a rebellious side. Despite being somewhat shy, you work hard and you’re determined to get what you want. You have a unique sense of style and you’re not afraid to show it. Nobody puts baby in the corner! Mostly C: Baywatch You’re a fun-loving girl who’s always up for action and adventure. You’re very active and enjoy keeping fit, and you’d much rather be on the beach than…

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be walking on stage to collect a degree. But here I was, at 49-years-old, receiving my psychology degree from Coventry University. And, even better, my daughter was right beside me, collecting the same qualification! ‘Well done, Mum!’ she beamed proudly. While most parents push their kids to do their revision, I’d been right beside Azara, now 28, writing dissertations and cramming for tests. As a single mum to Azara and her two brothers, Jim, now 35, and Carlos, now 25, I had very little time for academics. As a child, I was dyslexic, so I found school very difficult, and never even considered going to university. I’d fallen pregnant with Jim when I was 16, and started working as a part-time…

Now I understand the importance of staying active Clutching the stair railings, I did my best not to pass out. It was December 2008, and I’d been suffering from dizzy spells for weeks. Leading up to Christmas, I’d been working round the clock as a recruitment consultant, not realising that I’d put my own health on the back burner. ‘I think it’s time I see a doctor,’ I said to my husband Kirk, 59. After taking blood samples, my GP found that I had high glucose levels, and referred me to Chorley Hospital for more tests. Three months later, I went back for the results. ‘You have Type 2 diabetes,’ a nurse said to me. I just sat there in shock. But, weighing 17.5 stone at a size 22, it…

KING PRAWN, MUSHROOM AND PINEAPPLE COCONUT CURRY SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED • 2 tbs of vegetable oil • 1 sliced onion • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • Salt & pepper • 1 tbsp of diced fresh ginger • 2 tbsp of Thai curry paste • 1 can of coconut milk • 1 cup of vegetable stock • 1 tbsp of fish sauce • 2 tbsp of soy sauce • 1 portobello mushroom, diced • 300g of cooked, peeled prawns • 1 small pineapple, cubed • A handful of coriander • Basmati rice to serve HOW TO DO IT… 1. Heat the oil in a wok, and sauté the onions and garlic until soft. Add the ginger, season, then pour in the coconut milk and reduce the heat. 2. Next, add…

A spokeswoman for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: ‘A full investigation into the care received by Jacqueline Dibb was conducted last year and concluded in January 2018. The subsequent outcome letter sent to Mr and Mrs Dibb acknowledged that a misdiagnosis had been made and, in line with the Duty of Candour, an apology was provided. Our doctors deny having given Mrs Dibb any timeframe around life expectancy following the dementia diagnosis or discussing end of life, and consider the couple’s claims to be exaggerated. They also refute having discussed the progression of the condition she was believed to have in the way Mr and Mrs Dibb describe, and feel they have been misquoted.’…

Ask our doc Dentist and Aesthetics Practitioner Dr Krystyna ( www.drkrystyna.com ) answers your dental concerns. Better clean Q How do I keep my teeth cleaner? I brush twice a day with a normal toothbrush but still feel like I get plaque. Sophie, Manchester A The optimum oral hygiene would be to brush morning before breakfast and last thing before bed. You can use either a manual toothbrush or ideally an electric toothbrush that has an in-built timer to ensure you complete the recommended two minutes. Flossing teeth regularly will also help. Avoid tobacco, coffee, tea, red wine and curries. These can heavily stain teeth. Regular trips to the dentist for deep cleaning will also prevent build up and maintain a healthy mouth! Bright idea Q I’d love…

In the grip of anorexia she pushed us away Bursting through the door, my daughter Julie, 20, clutched a sparkling crown. ‘Guess who won the pageant?’ she beamed proudly, showing off her sash. It was 1991 and Julie was the middle of my three girls. Outgoing, happy and helpful. And with her blonde hair and blue eyes, she was beautiful, too. ‘Well done, love!’ I smiled. My husband Norman and I were so proud. The Miss Ware pageant was an annual event in our town. At 5ft 11in, Julie had a model-like figure. And with her sparkling personality, I knew she’d be a natural for the crown. Soon after that, Julie got her own flat – and I started to notice how slim she was getting. ‘Hasn’t Julie got thin!’…

THIS IS THE COOLEST! Residents at the Rosebank Dementia Care Home got up close and personal with two adorable penguins in a new attempt to provide animal therapy. The elderly residents were able to pick up, cuddle and stroke these fish-loving birds, that were given free reign to waddle around the home for a few hours. The penguins, who live at the Heythrop Zoological Park in Chipping Norton, have been specially reared to be handled. ‘Our residents had a fantastic reaction,’ said Jane Roberts, the care home’s owner. ‘The penguins were very cute and utterly adorable sitting on people’s laps. They spread a lot of joy and a lot of laughs.’ The penguin visit was the first event of its type at the care home, and is expected to be…

Mobile protection Heading to the beach? Pop your phone in a Ziploc bag. You can still use it through the plastic, and you’ll keep it sand-free! Ellen Lamb, Bradford Quick fix The perfect way to get rid of an annoying splinter on your finger is to stick a plaster over it and leave it for a few hours. The plaster will lift it right out. It works every time one of the kids gets one! Michelle Hodges, Colchester Natural highlights I love natural highlights in my hair during the summer. I just sprinkle some fresh lemon juice on my hairbrush, brush through – and voila! Jenna Bowen, Wrexham Ice on the go Always have ice cold drinks on hand – fill up water bottles half way with water, then freeze.…

I knew the image of an angel was Dad’s way of helping me Driving on the A17 between Sutton Bridge and Great Yarmouth to see my sister, my head was in the clouds. ‘It’ll be all right, Mum,’ my daughter Larnaca, 17, said, placing her hand on top of mine. I glanced over briefly and smiled. ‘I know,’ I said. ‘I’m just not so sure we can take any more bad news.’ My sister Georgina, 44, who was a mum of seven, had recently divorced from her husband. On top of that, we’d only just found out my son, William, 15, had a serious heart condition. He’d been ill since he was born with a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – a connective tissue disorder. It meant he needed full-time care,…

Annabelle quickly got worse and was fighting for her life Playing with the other kids, my daughter Annabelle, four, didn’t seem herself. ‘I’m tired, Mummy,’ she moaned to me after just half an hour of playing. It was November 2015 and I’d taken her to a friend’s party to enjoy some cakes and sweets. Annabelle was normally the life and soul at parties. But I noticed she had a high temperature, too. Perhaps she’s coming down with a cold, I thought. I knew it wasn’t unusual for kids to get the sniffles. But the next day, she seemed even worse. Plus she was very hyperactive and it just wasn’t like her. ‘We should take her to the doctor’s just to be safe,’ I said to my husband Steven. ‘We can’t…

Our lives truly started when we were reunited My friend Lisa wasn’t going to give up. ‘What have you got to lose?’ she insisted. ‘Ohhh, I will then,’ I sighed, finally caving in. I typed in my details to the dating website Plenty of Fish and signed up for a subscription. What’s the worst that can happen? I thought to myself. As I scrolled through profiles of potential suitors, a chap caught my eye. With dark spikey hair, a cheeky grin and rugged good looks – ‘Daniel’ looked friendly. A bit of a joker, his profile read. I liked men who had a good sense of humour. Tell me a joke then, I typed, pressing send while I plucked up the courage. Within minutes Daniel fired back. His gaff was…

Freakshakes, Paul Cadby (£9.99, The Present Finder ) Learn how to create your own indulgent shake using sweet delights such as cakes, donuts and sticky toppings. Let your imagination go wild with the ultimate in the must have decadent treat. Weber’s Complete BBQ Book (£16.99, weber.com ) Whether you’re into kebabs, burgers or searching for some inspirational side dishes, this will become your one-stop BBQ bible. With over 150 recipes, you’ll be firing up the grill all through the summer. The Long & the Short of Pasta, Katie & Giancarlo Coldesi (£20, Amazon) With pages full of authentic Italian dishes, this will become a firm family favourite. There’s guidance on how to make your own pasta, but also simple, delicious ways to pack tons of flavour into…

My smelly predicament went viral and turned out to help others After 24 hours of non-stop golfing, I couldn’t wait to head home for a nap and a bacon sandwich. ‘Did you see that one? Absolute rubbish!’ I laughed, as another shot went off-course. I was taking part in my local golf club’s 24-hour golf challenge, along with 19 of my mates. We were raising money for Cure Leukaemia, and Approach Staffordshire, a dementia care provider. I couldn’t resist a silly prank We’d completed six rounds out of the 18-hole course. Soon enough, I felt like I was on top of the world. My wife Alison, 45, and my boys Daniel, 17, and Jake, 14, were waiting for me at the finish. And, true to form, I just couldn’t resist…

Always hungry? Nutritionist Liam Mahoney from Active Nutrition brand Grenade (grenade.com), shares his tips on combatting hunger: Eat more protein – opt for lean meats, lentils, eggs, and oats. Carry a protein bar with you for when you feel for a snack. Drink more water – drink 2 to 3 litres of water a day, and incorporate water-based foods, such as broccoli, asparagus, and celery into your diet. Cut back on carbs – cut out sugary carbs such as white bread, cakes and cookies, and choose brown breads, cereals, and grains instead. Eat little and often – small, frequent meals deliver manageable amounts of energy, keeping blood sugar levels stable and hunger under control. What makes you tick? As the warmer months approach, we tend to spend more time outside.…

Surrounded by felines My daughter Lisa adores her cats – all four of them! Here she is doing her homework while the cats do their best to distract her! Lauren, King’s Lynn It’s the simple pleasures No matter how much money you spend on fancy toys, our cat Farah is completely content to play with this old rope. Melanie, Essex Standing her ground She may be tiny, but Lexi knows how to make a stand! Jackie, Newbury Friends who nap together James and Jessie are the best of friends, and they love nothing better than having a long nap together! Kristin, Oxford…

I discover even more of his talents all the time Maddie Johnson didn’t know she wanted another pet – until she locked eyes with pot-belly pig Pickles. When the 25-year-old first came across the little porker last year, she felt an overwhelming urge to rescue him from the farm he lived on in Sacramento, California, that had recently been flooded. Pickles weighed just 2lb at the time and had a half pink, half black nose and a feisty personality. But it turns out Pickles was no ordinary piggy. Maddie soon discovered his unusual hobbies that include hiking, painting – and even surfing! ‘Pickles loves the water, especially the ocean,’ Maddie says. ‘He will even catapult into the morning shower with me. He is a very sporty pig and he is…

REPTILIAN ELITE They are among us – blood-drinking, flesh-eating, shape-shifting reptilian humanoids with only one objective: to enslave the human race. They are our leaders and our beloved Oscar and Grammy Award winners, and they’re responsible for some of history’s worst atrocities. The ‘reptoid hypothesis’ is a conspiracy theory which claims that these reptilian humanoids are living among us, working to take over the world. The theory was championed by former BBC reporter David Icke, who suggests that the likes of Bob Hope, George W Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and even members of the royal family are all just large lizards in disguise. LONG LIVE THE KING Music legend Elvis Presley died on 16 August 1977, devastating millions of fans worldwide. But if conspiracy theorists are to be believed,…

Indecent exposure I’ve always been a bit shy about my body, so wearing a bikini was not something I usually did. But, on holiday with my sister in Tenerife, she convinced me to show off my curves at the hotel pool. As we walked out poolside to find some chairs, my confidence was instantly lifted when a group of guys started whistling at me. But as we sat down, my sister quickly informed me that my boob was hanging out! I was mortified and spent the rest of the day with a huge beach towel covering me. Tara, Portsmouth On the run Jetting off to Spain, I was excited for a relaxing week of sun. Standing in line at the airport check in counter, a cute guy caught my eye.…