Table of contents for 28-Feb-2019 in Chat

For most childhood cancer survivors, hospitals are the last place they’d want to spend time. But there’s a special reason why Katy is happy to be back on the wards (p29). Ever wish you had a better memory? You might change your mind after reading Rebecca’s incredible tale (p24). And Lexi was a 35st bride who made an extra special vow – to change her life and her body (p52). We’re packed with even more real life, prize puzzles and extra treats. Try some tasty rainbow pancakes on p27, brighten up your look from just £5 on p12, and why not grab a cuppa in one of these stylish mugs on p26? Have a great week!…

Creative tools… Our paint brushes were ready for the bin so we used cotton wool and clothes pegs. The clingfilm on the tray meant minimal cleaning up time, too! Samantha Bateman, Grimsby Good match If you're a keen artist but can't afford the expensive materials, save up your old matches and use them as charcoal for sketching. You'll get some great pictures to give to family and friends, as well as doing your bit for the environment. Both economical and ecological! Nicola Howard, Woodbury Salterton Milk it! Odd, but it works! Milk removes permanent marker from furniture. It's very useful to know if you've got artistic toddlers! Angela Garvin, Chadwell Heath Bag ’em… I keep the strong paper bags that my fruit and veg come in when delivered from the…

Jaerock Lee, 75, appeared before the Seoul Central District Court indicted for 42 counts of sexual harassment and sexual assault against eight victims. The court found him guilty of committing the assaults against his young victims ‘tens of times’, over a long period. As the judgement was read out, Lee hung his head and closed his eyes. The court said, ‘The victims, who attended the church since childhood, believed that obeying Lee as a godlike figure is the path to heaven.’ Judge Chung Moon-sung added, ‘Through his sermons, the accused has indirectly or directly suggested he is the Holy Spirit, deifying himself.’ Sentencing Lee to 15 years in prison, the court recognised his victims were powerless to disobey him, and that he’d taken advantage of his status to commit the…

Tracy Fletcher, 39, Cheltenham Hands shaking, I found my partner Edward’s number in my phone and clicked Call. ‘You guessed it!’ I said when he answered. ‘I’m 20 weeks pregnant.’ I’d been unwell, feeling sick. Having had ill health for a while, I put it down to that. Only now, in March last year, I’d come for a checkup at Cheltenham General Hospital, including an abdominal sonogram. ‘I bet they find a baby,’ Ed, 51, had teased as I’d headed out the door. ‘Not funny!’ I’d replied. We had four gorgeous children already – Harvey, 17, Tyler, 14, Ellexus, 10, and Saphron, 9. Anyway, I was on the contraceptive injection. Yet when I’d had the scan a familiar white blob had appeared on the screen. ‘I knew it!’ Ed said,…

Rebecca Sharrock, 29 Looking at my framed baby photo, suddenly, crystal-clear memories crowded my mind. ‘I remember that picture being taken,’ I said to my mum Janet, then 37. ‘No, sweetie. You’re only 12 days old there,’ she dismissed, chuckling. It was 2001 and, even aged 12, I knew I was different. I could recall early life events. Whether it was foods I ate on a particular day, the weather, or what I’d been wearing, I could recall the past in microscopic detail. I looked hard at the photograph, dated 23 December 1989. Just 12 days old, but for reasons unknown, I remembered it. Clear as day. Placed on the driver’s seat of my mum’s car, I remembered my curiosity. Puzzled by the grey, sheepskin car seats and the steering…

M&S Lemon, Gin & Tonic Sauce, £2, 290g A tart and zesty sauce that gives you the much-loved flavour of your favourite mixed drink. Perfect for grown-ups. Asda Salted Caramel Chocolate Flavour Spread, £1.34, 400g Salted caramel is the ultimate choice for anyone with a sweet tooth. This smooth spread transforms a simple pancake into a mouthwatering treat. Gü Hazelnut & Chocolate Crunchy Spread, £2.50, 200g, Tesco This luxurious number gives you both taste and texture. A delicious twist on the taste of classic, nutty chocolate spreads. Pip & Nut Smooth Peanut Butter, £2.25, 225g, Asda With no palm oil, no added sugar and a runnier texture than many other nut-butter brands, this one is the perfect choice for drizzling on pancakes!…

2008: Suffolk Strangler convicted On 21 February 2008, Steve Wright, dubbed the Suffolk Strangler, was found guilty of murdering five women. Wright, 49, carried out a six-week killing spree in Ipswich, targeting prostitutes. Anneli Alderton, 24; Gemma Adams, 25; Tania Nicol, 19; Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were all killed. Their bodies were dumped in remote areas. Victims Anneli, Gemma, Tania, Paula and Annette 2014: Double execution shock Puppy farmer John Lowe shot and killed his partner Christine Lee, 66, and her daughter Lucy, 40, on 23 February 2014. He was 82 years old. Police officers noted at his trial that he showed no remorse and had, at one stage, said the women ‘had to be put down'. Lowe died on 4 August last year, less than four…

Rebecca Haynes, 32, South Shields As the characters chattered back and forth on screen, I was mesmerised. Then 5 I was already an avid weekly viewer. Except, it wasn’t typical kids’ TV like Scooby-Doo or Postman Pat. It was good ol’ Coronation Street. Every Friday, my dad David, then 38, would pick me up from school and take me to Auntie Edna’s house. ‘Shall we get some goodies?’ she’d smile. ‘Yes, please!’ I’d reply, superexcited. Together, we’d go out to the shops and pick five chocolate bars before heading back for the night. She’d cook my favourite – chicken dippers and chips – then we’d settle on the sofa. Without fail, Corrie would be on. With no kids of her own, Auntie Edna, then 69, loved spoiling me. We’d stay…

1 Garnier Skinactive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask, £2.99 Sunday nights were made for at-home facials. This is my go-to. It drenches skin with a week’s worth of serum in one 15-minute session. My skin looks plumper, fresher and ready to face another week. 2 L’Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream, £5.99 I cut 8 inches off my hair a few years ago and I’ve been trying to claw my way back to swishy locks ever since. I’ve been using this cream after washing my hair, before styling. It rescues and protects tired-looking ends so you can stretch out your salon appointments. 3 No.3 Pomegranate Luxury Hand & Body Wash, £2.49, Aldi I’m addicted to the Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir range but it’s not cheap, so I refill my bottle…

Live & Chattin’ out our fantastic live entertainment in the chatrooms, with live shows and quizzes with lots of chances to win cash prizes. You’ll find out what’s on and when by viewing the schedule on site. Play Off Palace When you win one line, two lines or a Full House playing Sapphire Bingo or certain Session Bingo games, you will not only scoop your cash prize, but also six free tickets to play bingo in a big Daily and Weekly Bingo game in our Play Off Palace. Super Links Bingo just got even more exciting with the chance to win over £20,000 in our Super Link games! Join us in selected rooms every day for a chance to win from just 10p a ticket. Get ready for some super…

Coronation Street Shona’s hostage horror! Billy offers to accompany Shona to the funeral of her ex Dane so she can see her son Clayton, who’s being let out of prison to attend the occasion. But they get a big shock when one of the undertakers helps Clayton to escape. Later, Shona is in David’s car when Clayton gets into the back and orders her to follow his instructions and drive. Shona begs Clayton to hand himself in, but he ends up taking her hostage in a derelict warehouse. When David and Nick turn up, they watch in horror as Clayton threatens to kill her… Emmerdale Cain to lose Kyle for good? When Kerry found out that Cain was involved in Joe’s murder and had been getting heavy-handed with Moira, she…

Lene Pearce, 42, Nottingham Clinking wine glasses with my pals round the table, I took in the smiling faces looking back at me. ‘Where next?’ Lisa, 42, asked me excitedly. ‘Disneyland Paris!’ I said. I’d never been, and loved the idea of getting the Eurostar. That night, we’d already planned a trip to Australia, where I’d worked in my old job as a private nanny... Then there was Delaware in the States to see my sister Claire, 44… And Lapland for Christmas. But this was no jet-set lifestyle. I was writing my bucket list. You see, I didn’t know how long I had left. It’d started in September 2015, when my legs gave way as I waited to cross the road with my daughter Lexi, 2. I got to my…

Vic Byatt, 52, Stoke-on-Trent Laughing over the dinner table, chatter echoed through the room. It was December 2011 and me, my husband Karl, then 32, and our twin boys Richard and Harry, 6, were enjoying an evening with friends. ‘Excuse me a moment,’ I smiled, heading to the loo. But I wasn’t a moment. Instead, Karl discovered me at the top of the stairs 20 minutes later. Shaking uncontrollably, I was lying in a small puddle of my own urine. ‘Someone distract the kids,’ Karl shouted down. ‘And call 999!’ But by the time paramedics arrived, I was awake and confused. ‘What happened?’ I asked. I was whisked away to Stoke hospital by ambulance. Friends looked after the twins while doctors ran a series of tests and MRIs. Within weeks,…

Caudal regression syndrome is a rare disorder affecting the development of the lower body in the womb. It can affect the spine, limbs, stomach, genitals, bladder and kidneys, but symptoms vary widely from person to person. Causes are difficult to pinpoint, but may be genetic or environmental. Maternal diabetes is said to be a potential factor. With only five reported UK cases, research continues. In the US, CRS impacts one in 20,000 births. For more information, visit isacra.org .…

Now Rebecca answers YOUR questions Q How would you feel if you were diagnosed with dementia? Debbie Hadden, Stourbridge A My main fear wouldn't be forgetting, it'd be knowing my physical abilities were declining. Q Do you often feel overloaded with information? Alison Carter, Norfolk A Yes. Falling asleep is difficult because I'm kept awake by my active mind. Thankfully, therapy is helping me to manage. Q Do your family members test you on the past? Colleen Brunton, north London A Mum frequently asks for the dates that she purchased items to see whether they're still under warranty! I'm also quizzed by my aunts and uncles as to when and how we first met... I always get it right! Q What happened on your first day at school? Jackie Perrins,…

Katy Payne, 21, Colchester Brushing my hair one day, my mum’s eyes filled with tears. ‘What’s wrong, Mummy?’ I asked, confused about why the clump of my hair now in her hand was a problem. ‘It’s nothing,’ she whispered, quickly drying her eyes. I didn’t understand at the time, but I was a tiny 2-year-old fighting a very big battle. Cancer. My mum Tracy, 36, and dad, Paul, 37, had taken me to Colchester General Infirmary with a suspected ear infection weeks earlier, only to be told my life was on the line. Overnight, my world was turned upside down as I started chemotherapy to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. By December 2000, all my hair had fallen out. And yet, when I caught sight of my shiny bald head in…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Time to pay off some debts - but check the small print. If it’s just a tenner your mate lent you, be generous and give them the benefit of the doubt. Wipe the slate clean and then you can move on. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You’re about to cross the line between being friends and something more serious. If that’s what you want, fine - but if you’re still teasing, be aware that after this week it’ll be hard to go back. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June If you buy something but don’t like it, you can bin it; but if it’s a present, you feel you…

Claire McDonald, 44, Reading As I lay in my partner Brian’s arms, he stroked my hair tenderly. We’d just made up after our first-ever argument. It’d started over something silly – he’d wanted to come to the supermarket with me but I didn’t want to wait for him to shower and change. He’d ended up calling me a b*tch – but I’d said my fair share, too. And when I got back an hour later, clutching my shopping bags, it’d all blown over. ‘I’m sorry, Claire,’ he said, giving me a hug. ‘Me, too,’ I admitted. Every couple argues, I reasoned. Besides, it’d been such a ridiculous squabble, it wasn’t worth throwing away four happy months together. The next day, it was all forgotten. And the following months flew by…

Belly laughs! When my man Gareth returned from a medical with his doctor, I asked, ‘How did it go?’ With a broad grin, he answered, ‘The doc said I’m the perfect weight.’ ‘Really?’ I said, raising my eyebrows and eyeing his pot belly. ‘Yeah, it’s just that I’m 6 inches too short!’ came his cheeky reply. It gave me a real belly laugh! Karen McGuire, Cleethorpes Boy, oh boy! My mum bumped into a friend in town who confessed she’d recently got a toy boy and wished she’d done it earlier! My mum was taken aback as the lady is in her 70s but held back the giggles when she realised her friend was gushing about a La-Z -Boy chair, not a toy boy! Alison Nuorto, Bournemouth Face time… When…

Like most newlyweds, Jaerock Lee was feeling truly happy in the weeks following his wedding to his new wife. In fact, he was on a roll. It was March 1968, and to celebrate his recent union, new home and high hopes for landing a job, he hosted a housewarming party, inviting all his mates. It was one heck of a night, with drinks flowing. To say that Jaerock felt rough the next day would be an understatement. But the dodgy tummy he suffered then turned into seven years of hell, with him lurching from one illness to another. Left walking with a cane, he needed help simply to go to the bathroom. He tried everything, even calling on a local shaman to exorcise his demons. It was no use... Six…

Feeling fatigued Q I've been tired and losing weight, and now my GP has diagnosed pernicious anaemia. What is it? Mary, Hexham A Your immune system is attacking the stomach cells that enable you to absorb vitamin B12 from food. B12 is essential for making red blood cells, and anaemia means these cells are reduced. You just need injections of the missing B12. Eye worry Q I have a grey ring around the coloured part of both my eyes. My optician says ignore it! Barbara, Burgess Hill A It's probably a corneal arcus. This is common, particularly when you're over 50, and seems to be caused by the breakdown of lipid (fat) chemicals inside the cornea, the transparent front of the eye. It's totally harmless. Safe to halt meds? Q…

Rainbow pancake stack Serves 1 (makes 5 small pancakes) Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min For pancakes: • 230g plain flour • Pinch of salt • 2tsp baking powder • 30g caster sugar • 2 large eggs • 200ml milk • Food colour gel (purple, blue, yellow, green, pink) • Splash of vegetable oil For marshmallow sauce: • 100g mini marshmallows • 100g double cream To decorate: • Unicorn Confetti Sprinkle, Giant White Chocolate Stars, both Dr Oetker 1 Sift flour, salt, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl and make a well in centre. Add eggs and milk and whisk until smooth. 2 Divide mixture between five small bowls and stir a few drops of food colouring into each bowl. 3 Heat some oil in a heavy-based frying…

Soon after, I started primary school and during show-and-tell one week, I brought in my syringe set. ‘I’m going to be a nurse one day,’ I announced to everyone in the class. My parents expected that I’d grow out of it. But while my sister and brothers kept changing their minds about what they wanted to do, I never swayed. Eventually, I explained, ‘I want to help sick children feel better.’ The look on their faces as they took in the words I was leaving unspoken said it all. The smell of antiseptic plunged me straight back Sick kids like me. In June 2014, when it came time to choose my GCSEs, I chose double Health and Social Care. And two years later, I started a Nursing degree at Anglia…

You can enjoy some brilliant days out without having to spend a fortune! 1 Telly-addicts  Why not see if you can join the audience  of one of your favourite TV shows for free? That way, you'll get a peek at some of what goes on behind the scenes, too! For more info, visit applausestore.com or sroaudiences.com. 2 Be inspired  To find out about fantastic events going  on around the UK, head to visitengland.com/things-to-do/events; visitscotland.com/see-do/events; visitwales.com/event-search; and discovernorthernireland.com. You can search by location and find some brilliant ideas for free things you can do - many you might otherwise have missed! 3 Festival freebies  If you're a massive music fan, then check  if you can bag tickets to a festival in return for helping out as a volunteer. Visit the websites of…

Ashley Roberts The stars on Strictly, need pretty ‘wow’ lashes to flutter their way around the dance floor and get a  perfect 10. Runner-up Ashley Roberts has been wearing Essence Lash Princess Mascara, £3.50, Wilko. This bargain mascara delivers incredible length and volume, almost like you’re wearing false lashes! Meghan Markle Meghan Markle is rumoured to be a fan of Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm, £9, a multi-use salve that gives intense hydration to dry  patches on the knees, elbows and hands. Pregnancy can cause dry skin in some mums-to-be so we hope Meghan’s keeping this in her clutch bag for on-the-go top ups.…