Sunday 29 June 2014

I would hate my daughter to be the smelly child at school.

Each morning before she gets dressed to go  to school, I make sure my eldest daughter Josie brushes her teeth, applies sunblock to her face (even in winter) and puts deodorant under each arm. It’s a simple, essential hygiene routine.
But I’m aware the last bit might raise a few eyebrows – because  my daughter is just seven years old, still plays with dolls and has yet  to lose any of her baby teeth.
In fact, I am sure some who read this will be aghast. But I disagree. What sort of mother would I be if I allowed her to be singled out as the smelly child at school?
No sweat: Jessica Valentine has let her seven-year-old daughter Josie start using deodorant so she will not be 'the smelly child' at school
No sweat: Jessica Valentine has let her seven-year-old daughter Josie start using deodorant so she will not be 'the smelly child' at school
Especially as it was Josie who first noticed that her armpits were a bit whiffy one day back in February – a month after her seventh birthday.
We’d arrived home from an afternoon playing in the local park with her sisters Sophie, six, and Bella, four, when Josie asked me to take a look at her armpits.
‘They feel wet, Mum,’ she told me. She was right. And when I playfully scooped her up into my arms and gave them a bit of a sniff, I discovered they also smelled of sweat.
I didn’t make a big deal of it and kept the conversation light, pulling a funny face as I told her: ‘Yuk, they smell, we’d better get you some deodorant, but until we do you can use mine.’

Shameless NHS boob job model Josie Cunningham gets taxis for 'anxiety' but my male patient couldn't get treatment when he started growing breasts.

This week I had to explain to a patient why he was not allowed treatment on the NHS.
He has a condition called gynaecomastia which caused him to grow breasts. It’s embarrassing, and the breast tissue is tender  and painful.
I referred him for an operation, but the request was rejected. I was told: ‘Cosmetic procedures  are not funded.’




NHS boost: Josie Cunningham, who has a boob job paid for her, now has to get taxis everywhere as she gets abuse on public transport - and they are paid for too
NHS boost: Josie Cunningham, who has a boob job paid for her, now has to get taxis everywhere as she gets abuse on public transport - and they are paid for too
I appealed on psychological grounds – justifiable, I thought, for a young man with large breasts – but this too was rejected.
Imagine my anger then, when I see that Josie Cunningham, who has become notorious for her £4,800 NHS breast enhancement, has been given a taxi card, claiming she is now too anxious to go on a bus because people abuse her.
But it’s wrong to direct anger at Josie: the blame lies with GPs and bureaucrats  who sanctioned her ‘treatment’.
Where I work, we help those suffering from anxiety with therapy.

Pregnant nurse had a stroke a week before her due date - and gave birth while she was still paralysed.

Miraculous: Kate Weaver, pictured with her newborn son Toby, gave birth while still paralysed
Miraculous: Kate Weaver, pictured with her newborn son Toby, gave birth while still paralysed

A woman who had stroke a week before her due date gave birth while she was still paralysed.
Nurse Kate Weaver, 29, felt her muscles cramp up while she was shopping - but soon realised it was in fact a stroke.
Mrs Weaver, who was 39 weeks pregnant at the time, was just able to beg to be taken to hospital before she collapsed completely.
She told her husband Tim, 36: 'We need to go to hospital. It's not the baby I'm really ill', then lost the ability to speak.
She was rushed to hospital, where doctors agonised over whether to perform thrombolysis on her - a procedure which would break down the blood clot which caused her stroke.
Although the procedure would help Mrs Weave, experts at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shropshire feared it could harm her unborn son.
But just three days later, after two hospital transfers and an epidural, Mrs Weaver gave birth to Toby was born at a healthy 6lbs 11oz.
Toby was discharged after a week, and Mrs Weaver joined joined him at their home in Wem, Shropshire a week later.
She then faced a lengthy recovery, during which she had to learn to walk again.
 
Mrs Weaver, a haematology nurse, said: 'I can't describe it how scary having a stroke and knowing that I was about to give birth was - I didn't think I was going to make it.
Healthy: Mrs Weaver recovered fully from her stroke - which left her unable to walk or speak - and her son is developing normally 

Louis van Gaal considering incredible move to bring former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt to Manchester United due to work ethic.

Louis van Gaal is considering a stunning move to bring former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt to Manchester United.
The 33-year-old attacking workhorse has been playing for Fenerbahce since leaving Anfield in 2012.
Van Gaal loves Kuyt’s work ethic and he has been a low-key but high-end performer for Holland.
Leader: Holland and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal (right) is considering a move for Dirk Kuyt
Leader: Holland and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal (right) is considering a move for Dirk Kuyt

Lazar Markovic: Everything you need to know about the £20million Liverpool target

Brendan Rodgers will rebuild his attacking firepower this summer with Bite-ban striker Luis Suarez on his way to La Liga. Southampton's Adam Lallana is already on the brink of a move, but Benfica's Lazar Markovic is the next target. But what's so special about this 20-year-old? Jonny Singer gives his pass notes on the Serbian starlet.
So, who is Lazar Markovic?
Well, he's still pretty new on the block. After breaking through at Partizan Belgrade, Markovic really hit the big time with a move to Portuguese side Benfica in July. Now, having turned 20, he's commanding a lot of attention, with seven goals for his new club last season.
Wanted: Lazar Markovic is one of the most highly rated youngsters in Europe and top of Liverpool's priorities
Wanted: Lazar Markovic is one of the most highly rated youngsters in Europe and top of Liverpool's priorities

Joachim Low told job is safe... even if Germany are knocked out of World Cup.

Joachim Low has been told his job as manager of Germany is safe - even if Algeria cause an upset in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Germany are overwhelming favourites to see off Algeria on Monday to progress to the quarter-final, but the German Football Association opted to put Low's mind at ease.
Low extended his contract to 2016 before travelling to Brazil and no conditions were attached.
Safe: Joachim Low knows he will remain Germany manager even if he is knocked out of the World Cup
Safe: Joachim Low knows he will remain Germany manager even if he is knocked out of the World Cup

James Rodriguez admits 'dream' of playing in La Liga, and Real Madrid would be Colombia star's No. 1 choice.

James Rodriguez - the undisputed star of this World Cup so far - says he dreams of playing in Spain and appeared to encourage an offer from Real Madrid.
The Colombian has netted five times in his first four games in Brazil, including a stunning volley against Uruguay on Saturday night.
While the 22-year-old has long since been known about as one of the brightest prospects in Europe, the last fortnight has shone a brighter light on his talent.
Attracting interest: Colombia's James Rodriguez admitted that it would be a 'dream' to play in La Liga
Attracting interest: Colombia's James Rodriguez admitted that it would be a 'dream' to play in La Liga

Tottenham bid to hijack Arsenal's £8m move for QPR star Loic Remy by offering promise of regular starting role.

Tottenham want to hijack Arsenal’s move for Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy.
Spurs’ chief talent-spotter Ian Broomfield, who played a key role in bringing Remy to Loftus Road, is a long term admirer of the France international and has recommended the club launch a move.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp revealed in May that Remy, 27, has an £8million release fee in his contract.
Transfer tug-of-war: Loic Remy, seen here on international duty with France at the World Cup, is wanted by North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal
Transfer tug-of-war: Loic Remy, seen here on international duty with France at the World Cup, is wanted by North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal

Holland 2-1 Mexico World Cup 2014 LIVE: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar nets injury time penalty winner moments after Wesley Sneijder equaliser.

FULL-TIME: Holland 2-1 Mexico

18:53
GOAL! HOLLAND 2-1 Mexico
90+4min: Goodness me what an end to this game! Seconds from going out, Holland are now heading through after Robben is tripped inside the box by Marquez to win a penalty.
The defender is booked and so is Guardado for protesting, before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converts the spot-kick into the bottom corner inside six additional minutes.

18:52
PENALTY (Holland)

18:47
GOAL! HOLLAND 1-1 Mexico
88min: Two Ochoa's are not stopping this! Holland's tenth corner results in Huntelaar heading the ball back to the edge of the box where Wesley Sneijder plants his foot through a first time strike which rockets into the bottom corner and into the back of the net - a net I'm surprised didn't break considering the power of the shot.
18:46
85min: Mexico are going to win the World Cup! Why? Because there's just no stopping Ochoa!
A knock on finds Huntelaar just five yards out, but even his volley is stopped by the brave 'arms out' keeping from the Mexican stopper.
The Holland striker was ruled offside anyway, but neither knew that at the time.
See you at United: Holland boss Louis van Gaal shakes hand with Robin van Persie after his was substituted

Giggs admits: 'I wasn't ready to be Manchester United manager' as he prepares to be Van Gaal's No 2

Ryan Giggs has admitted he was not ready for the Manchester United job when he took over as caretaker-manager at Old Trafford last season.
Giggs took over at United after David Moyes was sacked with four matches of the season left, winning two, drawing one and losing one.
There was talk of United's record appearance-maker getting the job full time but the club instead plumped for Holland boss Louis van Gaal as Moyes' replacement.
Close: Giggs admits that the United job would have come a little too soon for him in his coaching career
Close: Giggs admits that the United job would have come a little too soon for him in his coaching career
The Welshman is now completing his Pro Licence coaching badge as he prepares for life as Louis van Gaal's assistant, but knows he has much to learn if he is take the United job on a permanent basis in the future. 

Football Transfer Center: Radamel Falcao arrives in Spanish capital ahead of move to Real Madrid...As Balotelli's future remains unclear.

In Spain, the main story is Radamel Falcao's seemingly imminent transfer to Real Madrid.
AS reports that the Monaco striker is in the Spanish capital looking to complete his deal.
Switch: Spanish paper AS is reporting that ex-Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is in the Spanish capital to push through a move to Real from Monaco
Switch: Spanish paper AS is reporting that ex-Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is in the Spanish capital to push through a move to Real from Monaco

It's all-white for Cheryl Cole, in white Stella McCartney


Cheryl Cole hits another fashion high at the X Factor auditions here. Well, she had to look amazing didn't she, she was in her home town after all! And this white Stella McCartney dress certainly was a good choice!
When you're sat behind a judging desk all day, you want the top half of the dress to have something to it, and this one offered plenty.

Not only is it finished with an all-over snake effect, making it perfect for camera, but the roll neck and the big hoop sleeves give it some subtle elegance and modern edginess. What's more, when she turns around you'll notice the lovely tie detail at the neck, another lovely feature.
Cheryl is a fan of Stella McCartney's designs, wearing something from the British designer only last week at another round of X Factor auditions. Her dresses are always cut to flatter the female body, yet remain cool and sophisticated.