Table of contents for 12-Apr-2018 in Pick Me Up!

When I was 24, my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was devastated, but Priya was so supportive. She came to visit Mum in hospital with me, and while Mum was having treatment she made me dinners, was always there to talk to and gave me a place to stay as her house wasn’t far from the hospital. Even after she had a baby, her door was always open to me. When my mum came home with me, Priya always called to see if we needed anything. When Mum passed away in July 2015, Priya drove all the way to my house late at night to make sure I was OK. Her whole family were good to me. My dad passed away from cancer, too, just two years after…

Noticing six marks on my neck in January last year, I took myself off to the doctor’s. ‘You have shingles,’ said my GP. Over the next fortnight, I was really poorly, with an awful 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 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 smile. And the pain hadn’t gone away, either. My kids Megan, 18, and Connor, 17, were worried sick. Medics soon confirmed that it wasn’t a stroke, but…

Wireless Car Charger and Holder, £50, HEMA Great for long car journeys, this gadget will not only hold your phone to allow you to use it as a satnav but it’ll charge it too, so you won’t run out of juice when you are on the road. All you need is a cable to connect it to your car’s charging port. Biscuit Bag, £4.50, aplaceforeverything.co.uk This little plastic bag slots on to the edge of your mug so you can keep your biccy dry, ready for dunking. A must for tea lovers! Scribble Writing Alarm Clock, £14.99, prezzybox.com If your brain starts whirring with reminders and ideas the minute your head hits the pillow, this is for you. Scribble your thoughts or to-do list on the…

With my blossoming bump, I’d never felt healthier Pregnant with my first child, I couldn’t have been more excited. I was always picking up bits and bobs for my baby, even after telling myself that it was too early. Maybe it was my way of believing that this time things were going to be different... See, me and my fiance Craig were happy now. But we’d had a hard couple of years. It’d been a struggle for me to fall pregnant. After five years of trying and being given drugs to regulate my periods, we’d had no choice but to try IVF. We’d had to go private, as Craig already had two girls from a previous relationship, then aged 13 and 9. As much as I loved them, I’d wanted…

By Donna McTigue, 50, from Glasgow Starting up my brand-new car, I grinned. I’d been able to splash out on it just weeks earlier thanks to a whopping Pick Me Up! Bingo win! I’d wanted to put a deposit on a shiny new car for ages. Back in July 2017, it all changed after I won the £1,000 Full House on Sapphire Bingo. I’d only been a member since the month before, so when it happened, it was a shock. After a long day of chores and cooking meals, I popped the kettle on and sat down to play Bingo. Though I was a fairly new member, other players in the chat rooms had been so friendly. ‘Welcome back!’ they typed. Everyone was so kind and always happy to see…

● Do a 'reverse Google image search’ of the user’s profile picture – drag-and-drop the picture into the Google search bar, to see on which sites the picture also appears. ● Check how many friends their social-media profile has – too few, and it could be a scam. A real person will show themselves with friends and family or at public events – catfish usually just have posed shots and selfies. ● Ask lots of questions, rather than relying on the info on the online profile. ● Show friends and family, get their opinion. ● Trust your instincts. If things seem too good to be true, they probably are.…

Sitting in the back of a sleek limousine in my fancy, pink bridesmaid’s frock, I’d never felt so posh. It was October 2003 and, age 14, I was on my way to my mum Helen and dad Joe’s wedding, with my sisters Holly, 13, and Milly, 11. It was being held at Southover Grange - a 16th century manor, a few miles from our home in Uckfield. ‘Wow!’ I gasped, climbing out and gazing at the sprawling grounds and sun terrace. It was amazing. Like a fairytale world. We had a magical day. Mum and Dad had invited so many people, they all spilled outside, where we gathered in the garden for photos. As the years passed, though the fashions in the photo may have dated, I still had such…

Working at the RSPCA, we witness some horrific scenes. It’s not all cuddles, fluffy tails and playing with squeaky toys. Animal cruelty is rife in the UK. My partner Rosie works at the charity as an inspector and I’m a branch support specialist - so, as you can imagine, we’re both animal mad. Fostering kittens and puppies for the last 20 years, we try to do our bit. And when a poorly or neglected pet comes into the rescue centre, we have to resist taking them all home forever! It was 2014 when the RSPCA launched a huge investigation. Calls were coming in thick and fast about a possible puppy farm in Essex. Dogs bought from the sites were becoming seriously ill ...or dying. As a warrant was executed at…

Staring down, I saw myself lying in bed. What’s happening? I panicked, floating above my body. The year was 1987, and I was 22. I’d had two similar experiences before, assumed they were dreams. Only, this time, as I’d slept, I’d felt my spirit catapulted from my body. Then suddenly, a force sucked me back into my physical self. I woke up exhausted. My heart was pounding and I had an awful headache. I’d never been spiritual, but it had felt so real. Months later, the same thing happened again. This time, my spirit was guided up a spiral staircase into bright light. The next time, I met my late father. ‘Dad!’ I cried, a feeling of love coursing through me. ‘Learn to do as you’re told,’ Dad said before…

It was a usual mad morning when, as I was busy getting dressed, my daughter Isla, then 5, looked at me thoughtfully... ‘I don’t want steady boobies, Mummy,’ she said. ‘I want flappy ones, like yours.’ ‘Thanks, darling,’ I smirked, as my husband Anthony, 34, sniggered. We were forever cracking up at something Isla or her sister Alice, then 4, came out with. ‘Your dress looks like a bin bag,’ was another charming comment. They were hilarious! I worked from home as I was self-employed, and when the girls were small, Anthony was a full-time student. Then, in 2016, he got a job as a radiographer. He was happy, but gutted he’d be out of the house more, not around to hear the girls’ daft remarks. ‘I’ll miss all their…

All aboard! My daughter Jennifer, 8, couldn’t stop smiling on our trip to the Making of Harry Potter tour! Samantha Twist, St Helens This mischievous monkey thought my head would be a good place to snooze, but I wasn’t so sure! Claire Essex, King’s Lynn I love this selfie of me and my lovely mum Kay. I think we look rather glamorous! Genna Cooper, Cheshunt Who could resist kissing this face? My nephew Conor is already a dashing young fellow! Eileen Webber, Lancaster After many years of trying, I finally passed my driving test with flying colours! Jonathan Morrison, Bracknell My wife and I were blown away by the beautiful blooms on display at this amateur flower show! Tony Harper, Plymtree Here’s me loving my trip to the Bahamas! Gillian…

Signature Love Online boutique Signature Love features beautiful gifts for babies, children and pets. Pick Me Up! readers can get 10% off orders placed before 19 April. Use code PMU10 when you check out at signaturelove.co.uk Soften and protect The fantastic Cetraben range of emollient skin products is on offer, with 15% off until 24 April in Boots stores nationwide and online at boots.com . Products include the daily cleansing cream, which is now just £6.79. Cool treat Make your own gourmet ice-cream cones with deliciously decadent Salted Caramel Ice Cream from Morrisons. The 900ml tubs are 2 for £3 (usually £2 each). Offer ongoing. Top tresses Cantu creates award-winning haircare products. Until 24 April, save a third on the range in Superdrug stores and at…

Stress symptoms Q I have so many physical symptoms I don’t know where to start. Pains everywhere, fatigue, constipation, loose stools, dizziness. I’m scared something’s seriously wrong but my doctor just says it’s stress. Can I be imagining it? Melanie, Brighton A Stress triggers very real physical and physiological symptoms and makes existing physical illness worse. Addressing and treating anxiety reduces the physical burden of symptoms, so what is left can be investigated more clearly. Tonsil op? Q I had a sore throat last year that was diagnosed as viral tonsillitis, and this year the same thing has happened. So should I have my tonsils out? Claire, Kent A tonsillectomy is not worthwhile for one infection a year, as you may still get a sore throat. If there were recurrent…

Q I’ve just started marathon running, but I’ve only ever run in cool weather. How can I safely run in summer and avoid heatstroke? Kevin, Peterborough A Exertional heat stroke occurs when the body overheats, as sweating is impaired by humidity. Risk factors include age, gender (male), some drugs (including alcohol), or dehydration. What’s normal, what’s not Dizzy spells Dizziness can be harmless and caused by a number of day-to-day things, such as stress or dehydration. However, see your GP if it won’t go away, you struggle with your vision and hearing, are experiencing numbness, or suffering with severe nausea and headaches. 20% That’s the percentage of UK children aged 10-11 who are obese, says the NHS.…

Celebrate your new arrival and get £25 CASH Little smiler We’re so proud of our new arrival! Blake is six weeks old, and he’s coming along nicely – flashing a smile for the first time, recently! Jackie Brown, Basingstoke Chatterbox Our little lady Mazikeen is 13 weeks old. She loves to smile and babble at anyone who’ll listen! Katie Hughes, Penmaenmawr G’day mate! Meet my long-awaited grandson Bradley, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, last year. What a gorgeous little boy! Julie Grievson, Shipley…

‘I think it depends on the nature of the catfishing. Obviously, if you’re scamming money or items out of someone, it should be illegal.’ Abi Douthwaite, Seaham, Co Durham ‘While catfishing’s awful, I don’t necessarily think it should be illegal. It’s effectively online “lying” – should all liars be classed as criminals? I don’t condone catfishing, but it’s also up to online daters to be cautious.’ Jackie Wilson, Basingstoke, Hampshire ‘The actions of catfish can cause mental-health problems and depression. And victims can also lose their ability to trust anyone. It should definitely be a criminal act.’ Vivien McLaren, Alsager, Cheshire…

Chipotle tuna quesadillas Serves: 2 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 5 mins GUACAMOLE: 1 Mix together the tuna, sweetcorn, most of the coriander, chipotle, peppers and cheese. Spread mix over 1 tortilla and top with the second. 2 Put the tortillas in a hot frying pan and cook for 5 mins on each side, until hot and melting. 3 Meanwhile, in a bowl, mash the avocado with the lime juice; season. Stir in most of the tomato and spring onion. Serve quesadillas with guacamole and the rest of the tomato, onion and coriander. Spicy sausage bake Serves: 4 Prep: 5 mins Cook: 35 mins 1 Heat oven to 200C/ Gas 6. Put…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Try to make time for you today and work on personal projects – and indeed on doing things that make you happy. Letters and e-mails you both send and receive at this time make it possible for you to plan with reassuringly more certainty for your future. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Are you taking for the sake of it, Taurus? I actually think you’re taking what you’re offered out of nerves and you’re worried that people will think you’re not good enough for what you’re asking. Family would offer support if you’d swallow that pride and ask them. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Education is well-starred and you begin to get back your thirst for knowledge. You are willing…

It was my torture chamber. There truly was no escape Memories from the milking barn came flooding back Whenever I tell people I grew up on a farm, with acres of land and bucket-loads of fresh air, I always get the same response... ‘What a lovely childhood you must’ve had,’ everyone says. Inside, I want to scream. If only you knew! See, all my memories of that time are tainted. I lived on the farm with my parents, grandparents and mum’s brother Arthur. Arthur, who was in his late 20s back then, always made a fuss of me. ‘You’ve got to learn the ropes, kid,’ he’d say, showing me how to milk a cow. Then, one day when I was 5 years old, I went upstairs into Uncle Arthur’s room.…

1 It’s atype of throat infection. 2 It’s caused by bacteria. 3 Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. 4 Symptoms usually last around amonth. 1 FALSE It’s a serious complication of an untreatedthroat infection caused by a type of bacteria called group A streptococcus. 2 FALSE It is notcaused directly by the bacteria, but instead the immune system’s response to it. 3 TRUE Alongwith thesesymptoms, others include joint pain and swelling, and inflammation of the heart. 4 TRUE Symptoms generally last four weeks, but can occasionallycontinue for several months.…

He asked for a sewing machine when he was just 8 Heading downstairs in a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, a pair of eyes glared at me. ‘You’re not wearing that, are you?’ my son Joshua, 12, shouted from the kitchen. ‘What’s wrong with it?’ I asked. ‘What’s right with it?!’ Joshua sighed. Cheeky thing! I had to laugh. He’s always been brutally honest with me about my wardrobe choices. But I trust his judgment and professional eye. See, despite his young age, Joshua is an up-and-coming fashion designer. For as long as I can remember, he’s loved clothes. Aged 3, he’d sit for hours doodling pictures of dresses and ballgowns. Boys don’t usually draw things like that, I thought. I wondered if he was just going through…

Imagining my girl not taking her first steps was unbearable As word spread, we couldn’t believe people’s generosity As she belted out her last song, I was so proud. My little girl Lucy-Mae was performing on a West End stage. ‘Mummy, did you enjoy it?’ she said, running over after the show. It was September 2012. At 10 years old, she was so talented and confident. It was her debut role as Matilda in London’s West End, and she was ecstatic. But she’d gone through a lot to get there... Lucy-Mae had been born with spina bifida - a condition where the bones of the spine don’t form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord. It meant her spinal cord and nerve endings were tethered. They were attached to…

The term was first used in the 2010 documentary Catfish, which follows filmmaker Nev Schulman as he finds that the young woman Megan – with whom he fell in love online – is, in fact, Angela, a married, middle-aged woman. The film uses the term ‘catfish’ as a metaphor –describing how live cod were shipped along with catfish, to keep the cod active and to ensure the quality of the fish. He says some people in life, human catfish like Angela, are there to keep us on our toes. Nev is now host of MTV’s popular Catfish: The TV Show , where he travels the US, catching online love scammers.…

Some women put on lippy for work, some for a night out. Me? I was slicking on my make-up for... the dustbin lorry! Yep, I had a crush on the binman. It was early 2009 and I’d spotted Jonathan Cooper, then 24, as he emptied the bins down our road. ‘He’s like a mini Vin Diesel!’ I swooned, lusting after his rippling muscles. Then, one day, I got a mate to give him my number. He texted, and I was thrilled. We hit it off. I want to get to know you slowly, I replied. Diagnosed as bipolar at 18, I wanted Jonathan to be sure he was OK with my illness. I also had fibromyalgia, which gave me chronic pain. Jonathan was understanding. That March, we met. Jonathan came…