Table of contents for 6 July 2023 in Chat

Every week, Chat tells the stories of people whose lives have been saved after they were gravely ill. And these stories always feature hidden heroes – incredible NHS staff. So, this week, we’re celebrating the NHS as it reaches its 75th birthday, with Hannah’s story (p24). As a baby, she’d have died without the care of the NHS. Now she’s the hero, having qualified as a doctor herself. Her survival story is one of many millions – and thank heavens for that. Have a great week,…

As my mum Angela, then 44, scraped cake mix from the bowl, I flashed her pleading eyes. ‘Go on then,’ she said, handing me the wooden spoon to lick. It was 2008 and, aged 5, I loved baking with Mum. Coconut buns today. ‘My favourite,’ my dad Ian, then 47, said, pinching one as they cooled. I sniggered as Mum crept behind him and smashed an egg on his head. ‘Take that,’ she giggled, as yolk trickled down his face. I savoured the sound of laughter – there hadn’t been much lately. Mum had breast cancer. She’d beaten the disease in 1993, aged 29, but now it’d come back. Having eight kids – Ryan, then 21, my twin Jake, 5, and our four other brothers, then 18, 16, 9 and…

What job did Sarah, Duchess of York want to pursue as a child? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the two-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 11 Brokeback Mountain director (3,3) 12 Driver (9) 13 Undiluted (4) 14 Brass instrument (8) 15 Wait on (5) 16 Eldest son of the Prince of Wales (6) 17 Tall tower on a mosque (7) 18 Part of northern England (4,3,4) 20 Remove one’s clothes (5) 22 English city (9) 24 Postal token (5) 28 Liberty (7) 29 Tradesman (7) 32 Place bets (6) 34 Ominous (8) 36 Hallway (8) 37 Hypnotic state (6) 39 Accept as true (7) 40 Room for cooking (7) 45 Make fun of (5) 47 Very confused (9) 48 _ Winfrey, talkshow host (5) 51 City in Hampshire (11) 53 Business associate (7) 55 _ Morissette, singer (6) 56 Speaks (5) 58 Denise _, actor…

I'm always parched! Q My mouth is constantly dry and I’m forever sipping water. Is this normal? Mary, Swindon A It’s not just annoying – a constantly dry mouth can lead to swallowing difficulty and tooth decay. One major cause is breathing through your mouth as a result of a blocked nose, particularly overnight. Another possibility is a side-effect of medicines, including some catarrh and allergy treatments, and antidepressants, or simply being dehydrated through not drinking enough when you’re either hot or ill. Mouth infections such as thrush, or diseases such as diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome that affect your salivary glands, are rarer causes and you should see your GP if your dry mouth is severe, affects talking or swallowing, or there’s pain or bleeding. Sips of water, chewing sugar-free…

1 Spot them Noticed a raised vein in your calf or foot? You may be one of the three in 10 adults who have varicose veins. ‘These are swollen, enlarged veins, which appear lumpy, twisted and are usually blue or dark purple in colour,’ explains Mr Parameswaran Sridhar, a leading vascular surgeon at Stratum Dermatology Clinics. Women are more likely to get them than men, and any vein can be affected – although they’re usually found in the legs. 2 Understand your risk As we age, wear and tear affects every part of us, including our vein valves, and when those valves don’t work as well, blood can leak back and pool in the veins. Genes can also play a part, as can height. ‘The taller you are, the more likely…

WIN 2 × £25 Puzzle 9 Which animated duo have the most wins of any title characters in the Best Animated Short Film category at the Oscars? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Impact marks = DENS + T = DENTS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

I can't get any sleep Q I can’t sleep in my own bed. I toss and turn for ages and when I do get to sleep, I have nightmares. Sleeping on the sofa isn’t an issue, as my dog sleeps there with me, but I know I should be sleeping in my own bed. It feels ridiculous to cram onto the sofa but I can’t sleep anywhere else. Emmie, 41 A It sounds as though you have poor sleep hygiene, pet. Is your bedroom too noisy or too light? Make it more comfortable and remove any distractions from the room. Sleeping on the sofa can’t be that comfortable and isn’t a long-term solution. Have you thought about taking the dog into the bedroom with you? They don’t have to be…

3 ways to… PROTECT YOUR HOME WHEN YOU'RE AWAY 1 Make your house look lived-in Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or family member who lives close by to check in on your house at different times while you’re away. Ask them to collect your mail so it doesn’t pile up at your door and to take your bins in and out too to help give the impression of your home being occupied. It’s also a good idea to use a timer to schedule your lights to come on for a couple of hours in the evenings to make it look like someone’s home. 2 Hide your valuables However, it’s always best to prepare for the worst. Tesco Bank’s insurance director Alex Cross advises to minimise the risk of valuable items and…

30 June-6 July 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April Now is the perfect moment to go for what you truly want. You have everything you need to succeed, so believe in your capabilities and just go for it! ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Slow down and spend some time in nature. What ideas are coming to you now that will help you to start moving forward? Embrace change! ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Do something fun this week with those closest to you. When you lighten up, you’ll see your current challenges from a whole different perspective. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Mercury is now in your sign, so you might make more…

Q My go-to foundation is too heavy for summer. Can you recommend any lighter options? Sandra West, Fife A Full coverage options work best in the winter, and offer better staying power through more extreme weather like wind and rain. It’s better to swap to a more sheer option in the summer. It’ll feel comfier on your skin during hot weather, and will look more natural in the brighter sunlight. A tinted moisturiser is a great option for a heatwave. It’ll keep skin moisturised, working as a hybrid between skincare and make-up. L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturiser, £11.99, lookfantastic.com, has the bonus benefit of SPF20, to give an extra layer of protection from UV rays, while giving a glowing, ‘your skin but better’ finish. Another light base with benefits…

To Emily, F rom the moment you were born, I loved you. Just 2, I was so excited to become a big sister, and we were close from the start. As soon as you were up on your feet, we were constantly running races and playing in the garden. ‘Watch me,’ I’d instruct, when we were both learning to tie our laces as Mum, Joanne, then 26, looked on, smiling. I was born with Down’s syndrome, and people often had misconceptions about me. Expected you to be teaching me things, or learn faster than I did. But I was your big sister, and I took the role seriously. It was my job to show you the way. When you were 3, you started ballet classes. You loved it. But I…

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Scotney Castle and Hole Park are among the sites billed as the ‘seven wonders’ of which area of south-east England? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Pear-shaped fruit with large stone (7) 2 Cleopatra’s Needle, for example (7) 3 Small falcon (7) 4 Wars of the Roses house (9) 5 Team race (5) 6 Colour of cowardice (6) 7 Tusked aquatic mammal (6) 8 Woo with music (8) 9 ‘_, my dear Watson’ (10) 10 Currency unit of Japan (3) 11 Tennessee city associated with country music (9) 12 Bewitch (7) 13 The ‘T’ of DVT (10) 14 _ City, capital of the state of Utah (4,4) 15 Accompany (6) 16 Aquatic larva of frogs (7) Your answer:…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! It started off as a silly dare between a group of teenage boys. Daniel Hawkins, Drake Ruiz and Jacob Ivascu were all good mates from primary school. And on 19 January 2020, for Daniel’s 16th birthday, they’d gathered together for a sleepover with Daniel and Jacob’s younger brothers, both called Joshua, and another friend, Sergio Campusano, then 18. They started to play one of their favourite games – truth or dare. As Daniel’s mum Janet would later explain, the game was usually just harmless fun. ‘You have to drink a tablespoon of hot Tabasco sauce, or they would concoct a bunch of gross stuff and you’d have to drink it,’ she said. ‘Normally it didn’t entail leaving the house.’ But this time, when one of the boys…

Q I haven’t seen my period for months and I’m only 37. I’m terrified that it’s an early menopause. Arianne, Winchester A A premature menopause happens before age 40 and affects around one woman in 100, but there are other possibilities. The first thing to do is take a pregnancy test! A sudden increase in exercise, losing or gaining a lot of weight, stress, a severe infection, an eating disorder or night-shift work can all stop your periods. A drug side-effect can be to blame, particularly the progesterone-only ‘mini-pill’ or contraceptive injections. Sometimes it can take months for your periods to return after stopping the contraceptive pill. More rarely, hormone problems including polycystic ovaries (PCOS), hormone-producing tumours or an underactive thyroid gland are to blame. If your periods have stopped…

Q My boyfriend of nearly two years still hasn’t told his dad that we are together as a couple. His dad knows of me and that we went on holiday together, but he thinks we’re just mates and it’s really starting to get me down. Why is he hiding the fact that we’re in love? Martyn, 20 A It could be that your partner doesn’t feel like he needs to announce who he’s dating. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. Be honest with him and let him know how you’re feeling, pet. All relationships should have honest communication. But at the end of the day, as long as you’re both happy, it doesn’t matter who else knows.…

Under 500 calories Chicken burgers with yogurt slaw Packed with flavour, this zingy chicken could be served in pitta bread or wraps if you prefer. SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 15 MINS ● Zest and juice 1 lime ● 1½tsp coriander seeds, crushed ● 400g chicken mini fillets ● 2tbsp honey ● 4 brioche buns, toasted ● 2tbsp garlic mayo ● 1 little gem lettuce, leaves picked and washed ● Tortilla chips to serve (optional) For the slaw: ● 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks ● ¼ red or white cabbage, cored and shredded ● 150g radishes, thinly sliced ● 50g Greek yogurt 1 Put the lime zest, juice and coriander seeds in a dish. Stir to combine and season well. 2 Add the chicken mini fillets and rub well…

Walking into the bathroom I saw heartshaped tea lights around a bathtub full of foamy bubbles. ‘This is lovely,’ I gasped. ‘You deserve it,’ William, then 34, said. It was July 2017, and no one had ever run me a bath before, but William, my boyfriend of a month, was the most thoughtful bloke. And as I sank into the hot water, he went downstairs to entertain my kids, Loren, then 14, and Kieran, 12. How had I got so lucky? William and I had met in 2002 working at a local pool. We’d had a brief fling after I split with the kids’ dad, but neither of us was ready for a relationship. Until now. We’d reconnected when he messaged me on Facebook, and I’d fallen madly in love.…

Bondi Sands SPF50+ Lip Balm in Strawberry, £4.99, Superdrug We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen on our face – it protects skin from UV rays and prevents premature ageing. But lips are an easy area to neglect, and yet they can be affected just as much. Suncare brand Bondi Sands has the perfect solution: a lip balm with SPF50, available in five shades. It’ll protect and nourish your pout while adding a subtle pop of colour. Genius. PS… Instant Tanning Drops, £3, Primark Tanning your face doesn’t have to be a scary prospect, and when you master it, it’s the ultimate way of cheating a healthy, fresh-back-from-holiday glow, minus the sun damage. This affordable option works brilliantly, and is infused with hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid,…

JENNIFFER POINTON, 42, FROM SCHOLAR GREEN, CHESHIRE EAST, SAYS: I’m nominating Lisa Cartwright from Kidsgrove charity Greyhound Gap as my Local Hero. Through her work at Greyhound Gap, Lisa goes above and beyond to rehabilitate greyhounds and rehome them with suitable owners. Unlike other rescues, potential adopters don’t choose their dog at Greyhound Gap. Instead, Lisa and the team match owners with the dog most suitable for them, creating many waggy-ever-afters! It’s not just greyhounds the charity helps either. Lisa will happily take in any breed of dog if they have space at the centre. As well as helping dogs to find new owners, whenever a dog living nearby escapes their owner on a walk, Lisa is always first to step in, helping them reunite and return back home safely.…

Doogh, kumis and chal are all considered nationally representative examples of what type of foodstuff in Central Asia? Make three nine-letter words using all of these three-letter sections and enter them in the grid as the starter letters indicate. Then make an anagram of the letters in the yellow squares to form the answer to this question. CKS NIS PPI QUI NGS GAR CLI AND HED WIN 5× £20 Puzzle 3 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Gently stroking my new bunny’s floppy brown ears, I grinned. ‘Thanks Uncle Glenn,’ I gushed. I was 6, and loved spending time at Uncle Glenn’s allotment. Now he’d bought me Fluffy – only, his gift came at a price. Soon after, I was at his house when he pulled me over to his armchair. ‘Sit on my lap,’ he said, before touching me over my trousers. It felt wrong. When he did it again one evening while Mum was in hospital, I started avoiding Uncle Glenn whenever he came to babysit. That’s when he cruelly sold my beloved Fluffy, who’d given me such comfort with Mum so poorly – I was heartbroken. When Mum died, Jade and I cried together, sharing memories of baking with her. We were so close, I…

STYLE TIP A silky fluid fabric makes this pair perfect for dressing up – they look great teamed with a sequinned cami and strappy heels. STYLE TIP With their large pockets and exposed stitchwork, cargo trousers have a workwear feel. Offset this by teaming with pretty feminine pieces. STYLE TIP The softness of khaki means you can treat it as a neutral shade. Pair with brights and polish off with a classic pointed court shoe. STYLE TIP Natural fabrics such as linen help you stay cool in the heat. Keep your look simple and chic by teaming with sporty stripes and accessories.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Devouring a plate of spaghetti, I flashed a grin at my dad, Alan. Like me, he had tomato sauce all over his face, and like me, he didn’t care! ‘Nice?’ I asked. Dad nodded and smiled. I felt another burst of pleasure. I was an only child, and me and Dad had always been two peas in a pod. We both loved DIY, cars and food. But I didn’t know how many dinners we’d be able to enjoy together. It was October 2021 and we were celebrating me finishing the Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising over £4,500 for charity. All for Dad. Me and my Mum, Chrissie, had noticed something was wrong three years earlier. Dad kept falling over, and stumbled over his words. Always capable, he’d…

Q I’m getting married next year and would really like to have bridesmaids and pageboys. But I have eight grandchildren and my partner has nine, too many for us to have them all. What should I do? Should I ask none of them so there’s no favouritism or choose a few? But who?! Help!! Connie, 68 A Heavens above! I can’t imagine all the Christmas presents you have to buy! I think unless you want a massive bridal party with all of them, it’s best not to have any at all, sweetheart. It stops anyone thinking you have favourites. If you want the kids involved in some way, give them little jobs to do. Could be as simple as handing out the order of service or helping guests find their…

Standing in front of the mirror, I ran my fingers through my chocolate-brown hair. I wish I could tie it up, I thought. Or have a glossy plait down my back, like some of my classmates. Instead, it stopped short above my ears, trimmed neatly from the back. I hated it, it didn’t feel like me. But then again, nothing really did… Why can’t I wear a skirt like the girls at school? I wondered. Too afraid to talk to my parents, I kept my feelings buried. Sneaking into my big sister’s room instead. Ten years older than me, her wardrobe was full of clothes I wanted to try. Dresses, heels, bras. Then 4, I’d always known I was in the wrong body. The only place I found comfort was…

Lottie London megabrow Brow Glaze, £5.95, lottie.london Keep unruly brows in place with this clear gel. Just one sweep will set them in an instant, and help them stay in place all day long. If you have any gaps, fill those in with a pencil to cheat a fuller shape. Faith in Nature Rosemary Shampoo, £6.70, Ocado If your hair gets greasy quickly, use this purifying shampoo once a week to wash away any product buildup for a squeaky clean scalp. It’s made using 99% natural ingredients and smells so fresh. Sanctuary Spa Golden Sandalwood Sand and Salt Scrub, £12.50, Boots We’re big fans of Sanctuary’s original natural oils salt scrub, but its latest scent may be our new favourite. Combining sandalwood, freesia and black pepper, it makes exfoliating feel…

Chat winners issue 14 (6 April 2023) £1,001 CASH D McCall, Thornton-Cleveleys £500 CASH H Holden, Glasgow E Akers, Ipswich £250 CASH S Forrest, Milford Haven F Agui, St Neots £200 CASH K Werschner, Bedford £100 CASH L Hudson, Blackpool L Swann, Walsall Y Clarkson, Canvey Island £75 CASH N Adrews, Frodsham £50 CASH K Holman, Fareham S Hornsey, Woodhall Spa C Sawyer, Tonbridge L Matfin, Hull M Crayon, Worksop V Cole, Benfleet £40 CASH S Tregenza, Corsham £30 CASH D Sprinthall, Witney J Reid, Irvine £25 CASH A Sawyer, Chester S Remmington, Bristol Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH R Barker, Telford A Hislop, Bury St Edmunds C Hindle, Birmingham L MacDonald, Coatbridge D Eldridge, Tonbridge H Cadman, Oldham K Seal, Walsall L Anderton, Cumbria…