It wasn’t until she moved in with her partner David that the truth, and the lump, could no longer be hidden. What she thought was a minor issue turned out to be something much more terrifying: cancer.

The secret she couldn’t hide forever

Cheryl, from Glasgow in Scotland, first noticed the lump on her foot when she was just 15 years old. It was uncomfortable, but not alarming. A doctor initially brushed it off and suggested physiotherapy. After a slip and fall, they believed she may have torn a ligament.

But over the next decade, the lump didn’t go away—it grew. And every time she accidentally bumped it, the pain was sharp and unbearable. Eventually, it swelled to the size of a golf ball.

By then, Cheryl had started dating David. But instead of telling him about the lump, she kept it hidden—out of embarrassment.

“I was ashamed of it,” she admitted while talking to Daily Mail.

That shame held her back from getting help.

”He could tell it was more serious”

It wasn’t until they moved in together that David finally saw the bulge and confronted her.

“David asked me what was wrong with my foot. I replied that it was torn ligaments, but he could tell it wasn’t, that it was more serious,” Cheryl recalled.

He urged her to go back to the doctor. That decision may have saved her life.

The diagnosis changed everything

Her doctor quickly scheduled an MRI, X-ray, and biopsies. The results were devastating.

The lump was cancer — a sarcoma. And it was aggressive.

Her surgeon delivered the grim news: To stop the cancer from spreading, they needed to amputate Cheryl’s lower leg as soon as possible.

“I was hysterical. I was so stunned I couldn’t speak,” she said. “I felt like I had been punched in the face twice on one day.”

Life-altering proposal

Throughout the ordeal, David stood firmly by her side. Incredibly, just weeks before her amputation, he proposed.

Cheryl credits him with giving her the strength to keep going.

“He provided me motivation and the willpower to continue,” she said.

What is sarcoma?

Sarcoma is a rare cancer that affects the body’s connective tissues — things like muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, and nerves. It can strike anywhere, but most commonly starts in the arms or legs, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Doctors still don’t fully understand what causes sarcomas, but they tend to appear more in adults, especially those who have undergone radiation or chemotherapy for other cancers. There are several types, including:

• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• Chondrosarcoma (cartilage cancer)
• Ewing’s sarcoma (originating in the bone marrow)

These cancers can be hard to detect at first, with symptoms that vary based on tumor location. Some common red flags include:

• Persistent swelling that doesn’t go away
• Lumps or deformities in bones or under the skin
• Chronic pain in a specific area
• Muscle weakness or loss of mobility
• Changes in walking or coordination

Don’t ignore the signs

Cheryl’s story is a powerful reminder that when something feels wrong, don’t ignore it. She was lucky. Her life was saved — but only because she finally listened to her instincts (and David).

“If I hadn’t shown him the lump, I probably would’ve ignored it even longer,” she said.

If you’re in pain, or if something feels off, don’t wait. Trust your gut. Get answers. And if the first answer doesn’t feel right – keep asking.

Your life could depend on it. Share this story, please!

Kirk, 30, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University. Eyewitnesses reported he was struck in the neck by a single bullet, collapsing in his chair before being pronounced dead despite emergency efforts.

The FBI identified the alleged shooter as Tyler Robinson, 22, who remains in custody facing aggravated murder and firearm charges. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty. Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their two young children have since received widespread public sympathy.

Shortly after news of the killing, Pratt posted on X: “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.” While intended as a message of compassion, it drew swift backlash, with some accusing him of aligning with Kirk’s politics.

Within hours, hashtags demanding Pratt’s firing from Marvel trended on social media. Critics accused him of insensitivity, while others claimed his Hollywood career was in jeopardy. Supporters, however, defended his right to express sympathy.

Pratt later shared a video on Instagram, asking followers to pause and pray. He encouraged viewers to step away from their phones, connect with nature, and reach out to loved ones. Responses were mixed, with detractors calling it “useless” while others praised his positivity.

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions around celebrity influence, politics, and fan culture. Pratt’s Christian faith and public image have long sparked speculation about his beliefs, fueling polarized reactions.

Despite the uproar, there is no sign Marvel or other studios plan to distance themselves from him. Analysts suggest his box-office draw and loyal fan base will likely shield him from lasting fallout.

President Trump and First Lady Melania are currently in Windsor, UK, where they were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Trumps and the Waleses walked side by side following their arrival – with William and Trump chatting in the middle of the group, while the US president held his wife, Melania’s, hand.

William was heard to say, ‘This is my father,’ to Trump as they approached the King, and Charles gestured with a small wave of his hand.

Trump shook hands with the King and the pair chatted enthusiastically together, with the president also placing his hand on Charles’ arm as they shook hands.

Then they were met by a guard of honour as the Trumps and the King and Queen stood on a red-carpeted raised platform, before the two men carried out a military inspection.

It was this moment that raised eyebrows as the POTUS marched ahead of the King, aimlessly chatting to one of the guards.

However, it is royal etiquette for people to walk behind King Charles. In the Royal Family specifically, they walk behind the King according to their rank and the order of succession.

Noting Trump’s faux pas, somebody said on Twitter alongside a snap of the president and King Charles: “Trump walking infront of the King. The man is a disgrace and has no respect for the King. Never did for the late Queen either…..”

“Trump is a narcissist, he doesn’t think anyone else can be more important than him,” someone raged in the comments.

Another person tweeted: “Donald trump leading the British army and walking infront of the king says it all.”

“He’s gone and walked in front of the monarch again…,” a different person penned alongside a face-palm emoji.

Someone else argued: “Trump walking in front of King. This is an insult to our King.”

“Trump is a narcissist, he doesn’t think anyone else can be more important than him,” someone raged in the comments.

Another person tweeted: “Donald trump leading the British army and walking infront of the king says it all.”

“He’s gone and walked in front of the monarch again…,” a different person penned alongside a face-palm emoji.

Someone else argued: “Trump walking in front of King. This is an insult to our King.”

Trump and Melania are in the UK until Thursday evening (September 18), during which time they’ll have no public-facing engagements as security is paramount for the 47th US president – who has faced two assassination attempts in just over a year – in the wake of the killing of his ally Charlie Kirk.

Other elements of the royal-focused first day include a visit to the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel, lunch with the royal family, a special Beating Retreat ceremony with a flypast of UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows, and in the evening, to top off the royal celebrations, a lavish state banquet.

Authorities confirmed the real suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested after a manhunt. His father convinced him to surrender, and FBI evidence—including DNA on items found near the crime scene—ties him to the killing. Robinson remains under special watch in jail pending a mental health evaluation.

Newly released police documents reviewed by FOX 13 News detail the circumstances leading to George Zinn’s arrest, showing that in the chaotic moments after the gunshot on Utah Valley University’s campus, Zinn initially claimed he was the shooter.

Police say that in the aftermath of the shooting, George Zinn approached an officer and shouted, “I shot him, now shoot me.” Although the officer saw both of Zinn’s hands and found no weapon, Zinn repeated the claim, prompting officers to take him into custody.

When asked by officers where his weapon was, George Zinn allegedly refused to answer. A pat-down search turned up nothing, yet as he was being handcuffed and escorted to a patrol car, Zinn again insisted he was the shooter and urged the officer to “just shoot him.”

At the police station, Zinn requested an attorney before admitting he had not shot Charlie Kirk and claimed his false statements were meant to “draw attention from the real shooter.” During a later hospital transport for a medical issue, he repeated similar comments, saying he wanted to be a “martyr for the person who was shot.”

Police said Zinn’s claims diverted attention and delayed the investigation into Kirk’s assassination, consuming resources at a critical time, according to the outlet.

Nearly two days after the shooting, police arrested Tyler Robinson in connection with the case. As of Monday, investigators have not indicated that Zinn knew Robinson or had any knowledge of the plan to target Kirk.

Zinn was booked into the Utah County Jail on a second-degree felony charge of obstruction of justice.

For years, Leandro de Souza was known as “the most tattooed man in Brazil”. His image was so extreme that it attracted attention in exhibitions and social media. With more than 170 tattoos, his body was a true living gallery.

The transformation that he shares today with thousands of followers began after a deep personal crisis. Leandro had problems with substance abuse, and he was even homeless once. It was at that moment that he decided to make a complete turnaround in his life.

Now, his most recent photographs show a face almost free of ink, with visible scars, but with a different expression. According to him, this is a physical and emotional process that has had a profound impact on him.

The story

Leandro was born in Bagé, a town on the border between Brazil and Uruguay. At the age of 13, he got his first tattoo, driven by his passion for bands like Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. His body became 95% covered in tattoos, an aesthetic he linked to his rebellious lifestyle and love of rock.

His media profile grew when he participated in the Santa Rosa International Tattoo Expo, where he was recognized as Brazil’s most tattooed man.

In 2023, his life changed course as he embarked on a spiritual transformation. According to him, he lived a stage marked by addiction to several drugs. In that context, he found refuge in the evangelical religion, which changed his vision of the world and of himself.

“Today I don’t get tattoos. I do not condemn tattoos. I think that, after baptism and conversion, there are more important things we should do,” he recounted.

In interviews with local media, Leandro explained that his appearance started to have a negative impact on him. “I didn’t feel good; it didn’t suit me anymore. It was a world of excesses. There came a time when I felt like a circus attraction,” he told O Globo.

The decision to remove the tattoos

Getting his tattoos removed marked a before-and-after moment in Leandro’s life. He underwent laser treatment that breaks the ink into smaller particles for the body to eliminate.

He has documented the process on his Instagram account, where more than 530,000 people follow his evolution. There you can also see images from a few years ago, when he had not yet started tattooing himself.

In interviews, Leandro expressed regret for having tattooed his face. “Think carefully before getting a face tattoo because I regret it,” he said in an interview.

He also pointed out that, in his case, he received those tattoos as part of his studio work, at no cost to him.

Each session to remove the tattoos from his face takes between 30 and 40 minutes and represents a great physical challenge. As he explained, “it hurts a lot, no matter how much anesthesia they use, the pain is horrible. But that’s part of the price for the things I did in the past”.

Speaking to G1, Leandro explained that each session involves three types of lasers. One to remove the ink, one to rejuvenate the skin, and one more to seal the treatment. He uses ice and ointments to soothe the pain, and he has said that physical exercise helps to improve the results.

The process has been possible thanks to the financial support of his followers, who have helped him afford the treatments.

In an Instagram post, the team that handles tattoo removal wrote: “When we hear Leandro say ‘dignity has been restored,’ we understand that our work goes far beyond aesthetics.”

Nowadays, he aims to be able to provide for his 10-year-old son and hopes to secure a stable job that will allow him to support himself as well as his own mother, who is currently living in a nursing home.

The change in his appearance has caused a wave of reactions across social media. Some users expressed surprise at discovering his true face: “He had that beautiful face hidden under so many tattoos ”.

Others highlighted the courage needed to go through the elimination process. One commented, “Uffff, how strong you are, but it was worth it! ”. In the same vein, another follower expressed: “You look great , congratulations on your change.”

Messages admiring his new look also poured in. “What a handsome man ,” someone wrote, while another comment simply read, “Incredible .”

Leandro’s posts generate hundreds of interactions. His before-and-after images receive constant support from followers worldwide.

The visible changes in his face have become a symbol of the path he decided to take. And his followers not only observe, but also accompany and encourage him in every step he takes.

Doctors explain that these bumps, often mistaken for acne, are actually milia — small cysts caused when keratin (a protein in your skin) gets trapped under the surface. While usually not dangerous, they can signal skin stress, clogged pores, or underlying health issues.

The bumps don’t typically go away on their own quickly, and squeezing them can make things worse. Proper skincare, gentle exfoliation, or in some cases, medical treatment may be needed to remove them safely.

This condition has become a hot topic online as more people share photos, asking if their bumps are “normal.” Experts are urging people not to ignore them, especially if they spread or become painful.

Late-onset acne is one reason adults may suddenly develop breakouts. This form appears in people who never experienced acne as teenagers. It is often linked to hormonal shifts, medications, or underlying health issues.

Persistent acne is another challenge. Unlike late-onset acne, it begins during adolescence and continues into adulthood. Many people see little to no improvement over the years, which can be frustrating and discouraging.

Both late-onset and persistent acne affect more than just the skin. They can deeply impact self-esteem and quality of life, making social situations or daily interactions stressful.

Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing these conditions. By examining the skin and reviewing a patient’s history, they can pinpoint possible triggers and tailor effective treatment plans.

Options may include prescription oral or topical medications designed to reduce inflammation and prevent new lesions. Dermatologists may also recommend lifestyle changes or advanced therapies based on individual needs.

The goal is not only to reduce current symptoms but also to prevent long-term damage. Without treatment, deep acne can leave lasting scars that are difficult to reverse.

Seeking professional help early offers the best chance for clear skin and renewed confidence. Acne may be common, but with the right care, even the most stubborn cases can be managed successfully.

The beginning of James and Chloe’s romantic journey was as unique as their relationship. On their first outing to a cozy café, a moment unfolded that highlighted both the misconceptions people held and James’ unflappable sense of humor. A well-meaning waiter, noticing their significant height difference—James, standing 60 cm shorter than Chloe—mistakenly assumed James was a child. As a result, alongside Chloe’s menu, James was offered a coloring book and crayons. Rather than taking offense, James and Chloe shared a laugh at the incident, setting the tone for a relationship grounded in laughter, understanding, and love.

Despite the stark difference in height between James and Chloe, their connection only deepened with time. Their love story reached global audiences when they set a world record for the greatest height difference between married couples—an impressive 60 cm. This achievement brought them media attention, turning their personal journey into a source of inspiration for many. Their story wasn’t about records or height but about finding and cherishing love in its truest form.

In 2016, James and Chloe sealed their commitment by getting married in a touching ceremony filled with family, friends, and those who supported their journey. Their wedding was a celebration of love that broke barriers and defied societal expectations, with every detail reflecting their unique bond and shared adventures. Just two years later, in 2018, they received the joyful news that they were going to be parents.

February 2019 marked a new chapter in their lives as they welcomed their daughter, Olivia. The couple’s excitement was palpable; becoming parents was a dream come true. Although questions lingered about whether Olivia would inherit her father’s height, the couple’s focus was on the health and happiness of their new family member. Olivia was born healthy, and as she grows, it’s likely she will reach James’ height, creating yet another unique chapter in their family’s ongoing story.

Throughout all these experiences, James’ unique stature was a point of curiosity but never a point of concern. His self-assuredness and Chloe’s unwavering love and support showed that what truly matters lies far beyond physical attributes. They exemplified resilience and happiness, demonstrating that love’s strength can transcend any physical difference.

James and Chloe’s journey is not just about recognition and records but about the profound strength in embracing who you are and finding someone who sees the beauty in what makes you different. Their story continues to touch hearts across the globe, a beacon of hope for those who feel constrained by societal norms.

In a world that often tries to dictate standards, James and Chloe remind us of the beauty found in authenticity and the joy of living a life true to oneself. They teach us that the real measure of love extends beyond the physical, embracing the quirks, strengths, and shared dreams that unify us all. Through their lives, we are reminded that it’s the heart’s depth, not the body’s height, that truly measures the greatness of love.

The Role of the Grounding Chain

Tanker trucks are purpose-built to transport liquids and gases such as gasoline, diesel, chemicals, water, and even food-grade products like milk or corn syrup. The cylindrical tanks mounted on heavy-duty chassis are engineered for one primary goal: containment and safe delivery of their volatile cargo. Yet, even with robust engineering, one invisible hazard always lurks—static electricity.

As a tanker moves down the highway, friction between the liquid inside and the tank walls, combined with normal vehicle vibration and airflow, generates static charges. Under the wrong conditions, these charges can build to dangerous levels. A single spark near flammable vapors could trigger a fire or even an explosion. The dragging chain creates a constant path for those charges to dissipate safely into the ground, neutralizing them before they can cause disaster.

The Origins of the Practice

This isn’t just a modern precaution. In the early decades of bulk fuel transport, catastrophic fires were not uncommon. Investigations repeatedly traced accidents back to static buildup inside the tanks. As the petroleum industry matured, safety engineers recognized that something as simple as grounding could drastically reduce the risk. The grounding chain emerged as one of the cheapest, simplest solutions, and it quickly became standard practice. By the mid-20th century, regulations in multiple countries mandated static-control measures, embedding the dangling chain into global fuel-hauling culture.

The Science Behind Static Control

Static electricity occurs when two materials come into contact and then separate, leaving one positively charged and the other negatively charged. In a moving tanker, liquid sloshes against the tank walls, creating countless contact-and-separation events. The charges accumulate until they eventually seek release. Without grounding, that release can happen in the form of a spark—a serious danger if fuel vapors are present.

The grounding chain works on a straightforward principle: conductivity. By maintaining constant contact with the road surface, the chain provides a low-resistance route for electrical charge to escape continuously. Instead of building up to dangerous levels, the charge “bleeds off” into the earth in real time. It’s passive, reliable, and requires no intervention from the driver—exactly the kind of redundancy critical in hazardous-materials logistics.

Beyond the Chain: Modern Safety Layers

Although the chain remains widely used, it’s no longer the only line of defense. Modern fleets often employ multiple static-control strategies:

• Grounding reels with retractable cables are clipped to verified ground points at loading terminals, ensuring tanks are bonded before fuel is pumped.
• Anti-static additives are sometimes mixed into fuels to reduce charge buildup during transit.
• Specialized linings and coatings inside tanks minimize friction between liquid and metal surfaces.
• Bonding straps ensure all parts of the truck and trailer maintain equal potential, preventing sparks when different metal sections come into contact.

These layers don’t replace the chain—they complement it. The chain continues to provide protection during transit, while reels and additives handle the loading and unloading process, when risks are often highest.

Misconceptions About the Chain

Because it looks so ordinary, the dragging chain has often been misunderstood. Some people assume it helps with braking, stabilizes the trailer, or is just an old relic no longer necessary. None of that is true. The chain has nothing to do with mechanics or road handling. Its sole function is to control static electricity. And far from being outdated, it still plays a crucial role, even in fleets that use more advanced equipment.

Maintenance and Inspections

Like any safety feature, the chain only works if it’s properly maintained. Road grime, rust, or broken links can reduce conductivity. If the chain is trimmed too short to touch the ground consistently, its effectiveness is compromised. That’s why regular inspections are critical. Drivers and inspectors alike are trained to check that chains are intact, securely fastened, and making reliable ground contact. Replacing a worn chain is quick and inexpensive—far cheaper than the potential consequences of ignoring it.

Why Small Details Matter

Fuel tankers pass through cities, neighborhoods, and highways every day, often carrying thousands of gallons of highly flammable cargo. Even a marginal improvement in safety can save lives. The humble grounding chain, though barely noticeable, is a textbook example of how small details in engineering can carry outsized importance.

In a world of increasingly high-tech solutions, this simple length of steel continues to prove its worth. It quietly does its job mile after mile, bleeding off static, preventing sparks, and complementing a broader safety system designed to protect not just drivers and operators, but also the public.

Conclusion

The next time you find yourself driving behind a tanker and see that chain dragging on the pavement, know this: it’s not a mistake, nor an afterthought. It’s a silent guardian. Born out of past tragedies, refined through decades of regulation and best practices, and still essential today, that chain is an unsung hero of highway safety. In the high-stakes world of hazardous-materials transport, sometimes the simplest tools are the most effective—and the most enduring.