Innholdsfortegnelse for Holiday 2018 i Pick Me Up! Special

Often inspiration can come from the most unusual of places and can change the course of our lives. For Bonnie (pg18), whispers from a toilet cubicle prompted her to literally get back on her horse. While a concerned comment from Chloe’s hairdresser ended up saving her life (pg30). This month we have two very different outcomes from what appeared to be a common cold. Emma (pg32) started out with a cough and ended up with a baby after just a two-day pregnancy! Kirsten (pg36) teased her husband about his man-flu, but within hours she was at his bedside, willing him not to die. A mother’s love is a powerful thing. Both Karla (pg26) and Maxine (pg55) were faced with every mum’s nightmare when their babies had to fight from the…

The pain came back as I was busy making Dad’s dinner. ‘Oh no, not again,’ I groaned under my breath. Dad clocked me wincing. ‘Shouldn’t you get that checked out?’ he asked me, looking worried. ‘It’s just a tummy ache,’ I told him, pasting on a smile. The last thing I wanted to do was make him worry. My dad, Peter, 65, had kidney failure and I was his full-time carer. Diagnosed five years earlier, only a transplant would save him, but he wasn’t well enough to survive the op. He spent much of his time in bed or hooked up for dialysis. With my children Shannon, 21, and Thomas, 17, all grown up now, I’d devoted myself to making Dad comfortable. I was happy to do it. But then…

Mark your calendars  n 1984, American president Ronald I Reagan declared the month of July as National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognised ice cream as a fun and nutritious food enjoyed by pretty much everyone. The president called for all people to observe the month with 'appropriate ceremonies and activities'. We can think of only one appropriate celebration – gorge yourself on ice cream at every opportunity! The coolest dessert in history Ice cream has an interesting past . While no one actually knows who invented the frozen treat, ice cream dates back as far as 200 B.C. Alexander the Great loved to eat snow flavoured with honey, and even Julius Caesar was known to send servants to…

Even after five children, every pregnancy scan was still wonderful and I knew exactly what to expect. So when the sonographer darted out of the room, I had an instant feeling of dread. ‘She’s seen something wrong,’ I cried to my partner, James. We were at Lincoln County Hospital for my 20-week scan. A doctor came in and confirmed our worst fears. ‘I’m sorry, but your baby has a hypoplastic left heart,’ he said. ‘It means the left side is missing.’ James and I were stunned to silence. We never imagined we’d hear such scary news – all we expected to hear was whether we needed to dig out boy or girl hand-me-downs. Numb, I listened as the consultant told me that most babies don’t survive the labour, if they…

Ever since I can remember, Karen Gammon has been cutting my hair. She was our hairdresser, but she was more like family. One evening in September 2016, she was around ours, giving us all a trim. On her to-do list was my brother Jake, 13, my mum Julie, 43, and then me. Karen chatted to me as she combed my wavy hair. ‘So, any boys on the scene?’ she asked. We were giggling away, when, all of a sudden, Karen went quiet. ‘Have you hit your head?’ she asked. ‘No… why?’ I replied. ‘There’s a big bump at the base of your head,’ she said, concerned. Lifting my hand up to my head, I felt an egg-shaped lump. It felt like part of my skull, but I’d never noticed it…

“He was bright yellow” Feeling my hubby Rob’s forehead, I noticed it was hot. ‘I don’t feel well,’ he said. ‘Stop being dramatic, it’s just man flu,’ I teased. It was February 2017, and Rob, 43, had been complaining that he felt unwell for a couple of days. Tired and feeling grotty, he’d taken himself off to bed. I’d not thought very much of it. I was a nurse, and Rob had all the classic symptoms of flu. He’d recently been diagnosed with gall bladder problems, too. He was having an op to remove it that March. That, and the flu, seemed to have hit him hard, though. But a few days into his illness, Rob was still in bed, shivering and barely eating. ‘More rest,’ I ordered. I thought…

GOOD FOR THE brain The extra vitamin D we get when the sun is out broadens our brain function and helps us think more creatively. It’s the best time to bring up new ideas, as the hot weather could lead everyone to be a bit more flexible. BLUEBERRIES: These tiny fruits are full of nutritional benefits, including vitamin K and C, and fibre. They're known to fight anti-inflammatory issues, improve brain function and help with mood swings. They also have a link to cancer prevention. BEETROOT: In history, the beetroot has been used for medicinal purposes, combating problems like fever, constipation and skin problems. Containing iron and high levels of nitrates, they help lower blood pressure, boost energy levels and prevent dementia. GOOD FOR THE digestive system It's more common…

Tummy bug A funny tummy is the last thing you want when you’re on holiday. According to Professor Glenn Gibson, a leading gut expert from the University of Reading, we should be taking bottled water with us when going abroad, to avoid drinking local tap water. He also recommends avoiding foods from street vendors and keeping away from dairy products. It’s also vital that you wash your hands regularly and carry a hand sanitiser with you. Value for money EasyJet has been named the best value short-haul airline in the UK. The ranking by flight comparison website Skyscanner was based on fares and associated costs of the 20 most popular carriers, including in-flight food and drink, seat reservations, and luggage fees. British Airways, the UK flag carrier, ranked in joint…

‘My hubby was keen to help’ The problems began when I was 14. I’d been a perfectly healthy teenager, but suddenly I was plagued by constant sickness. When I became badly jaundiced, doctors at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle ran tests. We were told that I had a rare genetic disorder called Wilson’s disease. My body was retaining too much copper, which my liver was failing to filter out. ‘She needs a liver transplant,’ a doctor explained to my parents. Thankfully, an organ was found and was flown by air ambulance to Birmingham QE Hospital for the transplant in December 1990. Keen to move on and leave Wilson’s behind me, I grew up, met my wonderful husband Stuart, now 42, and had two beautiful children, Lara, now 15, and Louis,…

‘She gave her children away’ It was 1947, and Martha Beck was a single mum living in Florida, dreaming of finding true love. Problems with her glands had left her battling with her weight for most of her life, denting her self-confidence. The fathers of her two children had both abandoned her and she had been suffering with depression. Martha, 27, worked for a while as a nurse, but her goal was to find true love. To escape her life, she became obsessed with romance magazines, novels and films. Desperate to find a man to sweep her off her feet, she placed a lonely heart ad. Raymond Fernandez answered. He’d once served as a merchant marine, but a hatch fell on his head while aboard a ship, leaving him in…

Teddy's been in our family for three generations. All the hugs have left him a little threadbare over the years… Not that my daughter cared. When my dad James, 57, gave Teddy to my 21-month-old girl Zoe, she was thrilled. He went everywhere with her – even to the loo! She cuddled Teddy, took him to nursey, and ‘fed' him. Soon, what was left of his dark brown fur was matted with food. But no one could replace her beary best friend. Only, in February, Zoe went out shopping with her dad Paul, 41, in Glasgow. And they lost Teddy! ‘I didn't realise until we got home,' Paul fretted. Poor Zoe was distraught. She screamed and cried when I suggested sleeping with a different toy. The next day, I dropped…

‘What a rude thing to say!’ Dipping my toes into the white sand, I smiled as I looked over at my new hubby Matt, 27, building sandcastles with the kids. We’d just gotten married in an intimate beach ceremony, right here in Cyprus, Greece, with our immediate families. It had been so special. It was May 2015 when we came on a big family holiday. It was the perfect, most dream-like setting for our wonderful wedding. Now, it was all a blur as I smiled, looking at my wedding ring glinting in the sun. ‘Right, who wants an ice cream?’ I asked. Louis, nine, and Imogen, four, came racing back from the sea, squealing as they squabbled over which lolly was best. Taking the order, I flung on my sarong…

1 Always apply sun block Use at least SPF 30 to protect your skin whenever you go out. Reapply your sun block every two to three hours. 2 Keep hydrated Drink plenty of water. During the summer, heat and sweat leaves our bodies dehydrated. Aim for 8 to 9 glasses a day. 3 Keep it smoothie Fruit smoothies are a great way to get your five a day. A healthy smoothie should be made with fruit, juice, low-fat yoghurt, and ice. 4 Look after your skin Exfoliate your skin to keep it smooth and silky. You can make your own exfoliation lotion using a handful of oatmeal, milk and yoghurt. 5 Keep up the exercise Exercise doesn't need to stop because of rising temperatures. Why not take up a step…

As a DJ, I lived a life of glitz and glamour. I’d been with my partner for 10 years, had two beautiful daughters, Paisley, four, and Reeco, three. I even had my horse, Atos, who I adored riding. Life was good. But one night, while DJing at a local hotel, everything changed. Nipping to the loo during my break, I heard two girls chatting in the cubicle next to me. I recognised their voices – they were girls I’d met at gigs before. ‘Have you seen Bonnie?’ one sniggered. ‘She’s massive!’ ‘I know!’ replied the other. ‘What has she done to herself?’ My heart sank. I quietly waited for them to leave, and then stepped out to look at myself in the mirror. What have I done to myself? I…

‘I've had over 30 operations’ A child stared at me as I walked past him on the High Street. ‘Look, Mummy!’ he cried, pointing at me. ‘What’s wrong with his face?’ Embarrassed, his mother told him to shush, and gave me an apologetic look. I just smiled back politely at her. Being stared and pointed at is something I’ve dealt with my whole life. You see, I was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting the bones and tissues on the face. I was born with no ears, no cheekbones, and a receding jaw. My parents, Louise, 46, and Michael, 56, knew I had the condition straight after I was born, but were told that I was healthy enough to come home. I was soon introduced to my…

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a condition where the left lower pumping chamber (left ventricle) of the heart does not develop properly, so is much smaller than usual. Both the valve between the left ventricle and the upper left filling chamber (left atrium) and the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body is also smaller than usual, so the heart struggles to pump blood around the body. Doctors try to improve the heart’s function with surgery.…

The worst thing about winter has to be coughs and colds. And in November 2015, I was really suffering. ‘I feel awful,’ I moaned to my hubby Jason, 38. One night, I was coughing and spluttering so hard, I was left with horrible rib pain. And not only that, I suddenly felt really wet ‘down there’… Worried, I ran to the bathroom. Looking down, I noticed there was blood in my knickers. I’d not had my period since September, but they were often irregular, so I wasn’t concerned. But they were nothing like this. I was terrified the violent coughing had caused me to rupture something! The next morning, I went to see my doctor. After describing what had happened, he told me he was going to check if I…

While most women can’t wait to take off their bra before heading off to bed, I wouldn’t dare. Slipping under the duvet, mine was still clasped on tight. ‘Take that off,’ my boyfriend Ted said, kissing me. ‘I prefer to keep it on,’ I said. But that was a lie. The truth was, I couldn’t bear the thought of him seeing my boobs. As a teen, while all my mates’ breasts blossomed, mine stayed as flat as an ironing board. ‘You’re just a late bloomer,’ Mum reassured me. But by the time I was 17, I still hadn’t developed. I felt so unattractive and suffered with low self-esteem. I was so self-conscious, I refused to take my bra off, even during intimate moments. This can’t be normal , I thought.…

‘It felt like fate’ Sitting on the sofa one morning, I felt a bit low. It was December 2015, and it was a year to the day that I’d lost my black Labrador, Lily. She’d been like a child to me, and my husband Ian, 56, and I were devastated when she passed away. Just then, I spotted a Rottweiler outside in the garden… As he was a strange dog, I stepped out the back door cautiously. But I needn’t have worried – he trotted over to me and rolled on his back for a tummy rub! I called Ian to come have a look. ‘The poor thing must belong to someone,’ he said. And, sure enough, after making a few calls, the sweet pup was reunited with his family…

EXPERT ADVICE Leading UK Confidence Coach & Human Behaviour Expert and author of Flying For Beginners: A Proven System for Lasting Self-Confidence (Amazon) Jo Emerson ( www.jo-emerson.com ) says: Shall I admit it's over? Wendy, Hull Last year my husband was unfaithful. I decided to forgive him and keep our family together, and for a while, I managed to get on with things. But now it’s really hit me. When he’s late, I’m paranoid, and when he mentions a woman’s name, I’m furious. Does this mean it’s time to call it a day? YES  Pick Me Up! reader Clemmie from London says You've clearly buried the hurt you felt from his betrayal and now it's come to the surface. You can only make…

Harry Powers was a Dutch-American serial killer. He lured his victims through lonely heart ads claiming he was looking for love, but he wanted their money. Married Powers wrote to around 200 women, using words from romance novels. He killed widow Asta Eicher and her three children, as well as Dorothy Lemke after she gave him all her money. It would be Power's 'love' letters that would connect him to the crimes. All five bodies were found buried behind his garage. Powers, 40, was hanged in 1932.…

A world record has been broken after more than 600 sausage dogs gathered on Perranporth Beach in Cornwall, smashing the previous record of 500. A sausage dog called Tilly was the 501st to be counted at the event in March, setting the new record, but in the end, the gathering saw 601 dogs gathered. Their owners had flocked from all over the country, including Birmingham and Essex. The dogs began to gather at Perranporth Green, next to the beach, from midday, with the count beginning at 2pm using a clicker as dogs walked over a bridge. By 4pm, the count was complete. The event was held to raise money for Dachshunds affected by Intravertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a painful spinal condition which sadly affects one in three Dachshunds. ‘We are…

“Other people ran past me” Rebecca Shuttleworth, 27, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria By the time I was 24, the only exercise I'd done in years was unwrapping a McDonald's breakfast. Weighing in at 17st 7lb, and at only 5ft 2in, I wasn't healthy at all. ‘Fancy going to the carnival tomorrow?' my friend Karen asked me. Imagining the candy floss and the smell of fried onions, I jumped at the chance to go. But the next day, arriving at the park, all I could see was a group of people wearing Lycra… ‘I thought we were coming to a carnival!' I said. ‘It's a park run,' Karen said sheepishly. ‘I've entered us.' The nerve! At my size, how could I possibly to a 5k run? ‘Just give it a go,' Karen insisted.…

Watching my parents drive away in the car, I suddenly felt alone. Picking up my bag, I headed inside the huge building. ‘Welcome to your new school,’ a teacher beamed. I was seven years old when I started my first term at Little Mead Grammar School. ‘You’re going to meet some lovely people here,’ she said, guiding me through the corridors. I was the youngest girl boarding at the school that year. I’d never been away from my parents for this long, so it was scary. My mum was German and my dad was a British soldier, stationed out there with her. I spent a lot of time bouncing around from country to country and my parents eventually decided to settle me at a school near my dad’s mum in…

Gary Morrissey, 35, Washington, Tyne and Wear After treating myself to a takeaway, I needed to work it off at the gym. Pounding on the treadmill, I worked up a sweat. Back home, I stepped into the shower and eased my aching shoulders under the water. But, just as I bent down to pick up the shower gel, I suddenly caught a flicker of something out of the corner of my eye. I peered closer. There, poking through the holes of the overflow, was a tiny tongue! What on earth?! Then a little head started to emerge… It was a snake! I slipped backwards in shock. Was it poisonous? By now, the little snake was slithering along the bath ledge. Slowly, I put one foot out of the bath… Keeping…

Soothing relief Mix aloe vera with water and freeze in an ice cube tray. The next time the kids (or you) have a sun burn, rub the soothing ice cubes over their skin - instant relief! Ora Bridges, Plymouth Citrus solution I found a great way to keep bugs at bay: place orange peels at the bottom of a Kilner jar and cover tightly with foil. Poke a few small holes in the foil - the smell of the orange attracts insects. They'll fly in but won't be able to find their way out again. Theresa Wright, Corby Colouring on the go Take an empty DVD case and fold a few pieces of blank paper onto one side. Arrange some colour pencils or crayons on the other side, and you've…

We're all chocoholics! We certainly are a nation of chocolate lovers. The UK has the seventh highest consumption of chocolate in the world, with an estimated 660, 900 tons of chocolate consumed every year – that's about three bars a week per person. Belgium is also high on the list, producing 220,000 tons of chocolate per year. In fact, Brussels Airport is the biggest seller of chocolate in the world! It seems to be a nation obsessed, as in 2013, the Belgian government issued a limited edition of chocolate-flavoured stamps! MIND, BODY AND SOUL Planning a date night? Chocolate contains a chemical released naturally in the body when you fall in love, and is also considered an aphrodisiac. Even just a whiff of it increases theta brain waves, triggering relaxation.…

Mum Louise says: ‘It was very upsetting when Ashley was being bullied. I felt like I wanted to deal with them myself, but I knew that wasn’t the way. I felt like I needed to protect my son. I’m so proud of Ashley and his campaign. He’s shown that you can recover and use a negative time in your life to help others in a positive way. I would advise other parents whose children are bullied to listen to their children, speak to their teachers and don’t give up until something is done about it.’…

With the help of psychologist Dr.Linda Papadopulos, Dr. Oetker recently released the 'Bake Friends' report, which found that two thirds of the UK agree thatbaking improves their mood, while 61% said sharing their baked goods with others made them happy! Further proof that baking makes life better, so get a boost by trying one of these sweet treats. Chocolate drizzled teacakes Serves 20-24 • 150g butter, melted • 350g malted milk biscuits, finely crushed • 225g caster sugar • 70g Dr. Oetker Liquid Glucose • 4 sachets Dr. Oetker Egg White Powder • 1 sachet of Dr. Oetker Cream of Tartar • 150g Dr. Oetker Milk Chocolate Chunks, finely chopped • 175g strawberry or raspberry jam 1. Grease a 20cm x 30cm brownie tin and line with tinfoil. Mix the…

From the moment Jenny was diagnosed she showed such strength Relaxing on the sofa, I settled in for the evening. Just then, the phone rang. It was my daughter Jenny, then 34, calling from London. ‘Mum, I have something to tell you,’ she said. ‘What is it, love?’ I asked, sensing her serious tone. ‘I have bowel cancer,’ she said. ‘And it’s spread to my liver.’ In shock, I dropped the phone on the floor. ‘Mum, are you OK?’ I could hear Jenny shouting through the handset. My whole world came crashing down, and all I could think of was Jenny when she was a teenager. Bright and bubbly, she had a rebellious side. She was just a year younger than her brother Ian, and the two of them would…

Jodi Arias was obsessed with Travis Alexander, 30. When they split, they continued to meet up for sex, but Travis made it clear that's all it was. In 2008, friends found Travis dead in his shower at his Arizona home. Jodi would admit to shooting Travis in the head and repeatedly stabbing him before slitting his throat. She claimed it was in self-defence, but the salacious trial revealed Jodi knew religious Travis was looking for a wife and angrily slaughtered him. Jodi is serving life in prison.…

Hot problem Q When the summer comes around, I get such a bumpy itchy rash on my chest. What can I do about it? Tess, London A Prickly heat affects skin that is exposed to sunshine, grass, pollens and sharp rises in temperature. Protection such as thick cotton shirts and sunscreen can help. Antihistamine or hay fever allergy tablets can also provide some relief. It’s important to be especially careful when you expose that winter skin to the first rays of sunshine. Bunged up Q My seven-year-old really struggles to go to the toilet. He's constantly constipated. Should I be worried? Louise, Basingstoke A Many children are too busy to spend enough time on the toilet to have a good clear out. Make the toilet a fun place to be…

While a warm cuppa is already known to aid weight loss, drinking your tea cold could be even more effective in helping you beat the bulge. Scientists at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland have discovered that a cold cup of herbal tea helps to burn calories much more than the usual hot version. Volunteers were asked to drink 500ml of caffeinated herbal tea at 3° C on one day, and the same tea at 55° C the next. Their heart rate, blood flow, and fat oxidation was then monitored, and the results showed that there was an average 8.3 percent increase in energy expenditure after drinking cold tea. So, as we roll into summer, kick back with a nice cold cuppa and watch the pounds slip away!…

‘She had a 10% chance of life’ It was the worst thing that any mother could hear. I was in the hospital, and I’d just been told my newborn daughter Lydia-Sophie had just a 10 percent chance of survival. It was February 2016, and I’d just given birth at 24 weeks pregnant. Doctors still don’t know why it happened. They’d tried to keep her in my womb longer but, when we both contracted septicaemia, they had no choice. ‘If we don’t deliver now, you’ll both die,’ the doctor said. When Lydia-Sophie arrived by emergency Caesarean, she wasn’t breathing at all. Weighing 1lb 4oz, she was immediately ventilated, and put into an incubator. Seven hours later, my mum and birthing partner Rachael, 41, came with me to see Lydia-Sophie for the…

‘It had been four days’ Muddy wellies, dirt under your nails and the smell of manure in the air. Yep, life on the farm was grubby, but I loved it! I’d lived on a farm for as long as I could remember. My parents, Melanie, now 68, and Roger, 78, had moved to the village of Bottalack in 1984. So I’d grown up looking after the animals, with Dad teaching me the ropes of farming life. It was hard work, especially in the winter months. ‘A spot of rain isn’t going to kill you!’ my dad would scoff. So, despite strong winds and the endless rain, we’d venture into the fields. Looking after the horses was always my favourite part of the job, especially when Maple came along. She’s been…