Pick Me Up! Special February 2018

We’re celebrating fighters this month! Baby Austin was a longed-for arrival for Helen (pg16) but his life was in danger before it had even started. Incredibly, though, his tough spirit and bubble wrap turned it all around. Kerry (pg39) knew that without a miracle she would lose boyfriend Jack. Turns out that odd-defying luck was on their side and that they really are made for each other – a doctor said so! There are times in life when you have to dig deep and step up. Nicola (pg36) didn’t hesitate when daughter Shannon and her baby needed her the most. Hayley (pg62) couldn’t have been more daunted when she came across neglected horses, Ken and Bruce. But she didn’t stop until they got the life they deserved. If you’re after…

That's a record I found this display in an antique shop and thought it was a really sweet idea – using an old suitcase to store your records (or if you’re too young for records – books!) Kerry, Nuneaton How funny! What did the elephant say to his girlfriend? I love you a ton! ha “When I'm done with pre-school, I'm going to find a wife.” Daniel, 5, Worthing Breakfast of champions We treated ourselves to a lovely breakfast while on a weekend away. This was my partner’s choice – bacon and banana pancakes! Suzi, Gloucester How funny! How did the telephone propose to his girlfriend? He gave her a ring! Belissimo! Nothing better than hand-made pizza! We had a great night out at Pizzarova in Bristol.…

‘I was never going to be normal’ Hunched over my magazine in the hospital, I focused on this week’s celebrity fact-file – Zac Efron. ‘Any news?’I overheard my mum asking. I was sent home from school because I wasn’t feeling very well. My mum Kirsty, now 51, insisted on taking me for a check up. ‘We have detected some irregularities with Hannah’s heart,’ the doctor said. Unsure what that meant, I looked at Mum for some answers. ‘Due to your daughter’s past with leukaemia, her heart is now failing,’ the doctor continued. ‘We would like to keep an eye on her. She may need an operation.’ Falling silent, both Mum and I stayed still. ‘Everything will be alright,’she whispered eventually, pulling me in for a big hug. When my dad,…

Everyone has the right to decide how they live their life When Mum came in the next morning, I was nervous about what I had to say. ‘Mum, can I change my mind?’ I stuttered. ‘Change your mind about what?’ she asked. Taking a deep breath, I confessed that I wanted to have the heart transplant after all. ‘There is so much I could still do,’I said. ‘Go back to school, make friends and go to the prom.’ Smiling, Mum and Dad asked me if I was sure. ‘Yes,’I replied, confidently. Mum spoke to the hospital and I was put on a heart transplant waiting list as a high priority. When a donor match was found, I was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital and underwent a six-and-a-half-hour operation. I…

‘The pups kept on coming! ’ The day my gorgeous collie-cross Woody, 15, died was a sad one. The perfect pooch, we’d grown up together. As a dog lover, I needed to fill the hole. Dead-set on setters, I found eight-week old Poppy on Gumtree, and me and my hubby Peter, 50, fell in love. Back home, she filled the gap Woody had left, and we decided we’d breed with her. By January last year, she was pregnant from her perfect pup partner, Rowan. And, a month on, we took her to the vet’s. ‘There are 10 very healthy puppies in there!’ he said. ‘Wow!’ I gasped. The kids, Abi, 18, Ben, 16, and Jack, seven, were over the moon with excitement. Finally, in March, Poppy went into labour. We…

‘It was a foul odour’ The little legs stomped as I towelled off sand. ‘Keep still!’ I cried to my little three-year-old son, Karson. We had been on holiday in Cornwall. But when we got home a few days later, I noticed my little boy’s breath smelt like rotting rubbish! Over the next few days, I could barely hug Karson as I couldn’t stop gagging when he spoke! I took him to the doctor, who couldn’t find anything wrong. But a week later, the smell was worse. Desperate, I googled little boy, bad breath. I read a parenting forum that suggested Karson could have stuck an object up his nose. Apparently, if someone inserts something up their nostrils, it can create a foul odour. ‘You need to tell me if…