RPA Season 17

Eighty-six year old Van lives to dance. But his ballroom prowess is under threat after a fall left him with a broken hip. His only chance of returning to the dance floor is a hip replacement – a risky operation given previous surgery.

An accident on the ski fields knocked 36 year old Renee unconscious but it was what happened after that that has really floored her. A post fall scan has revealed a large mass in her brain. Doctors have told the mother of two small children she has a tumour that must be removed but she won’t find out if it is life threatening until after her operation. In part two of her story, Renee shows extraordinary courage.

Twenty-seven year old Chris has been battling a chronic liver disease for more than a decade and recently her condition has deteriorated to the point where her only chance of survival is to receive a new liver. In part one of this brave mum’s story, Chris is told being on the transplant list is no guarantee she will be given a lifeline.

Julie is about to embark on a challenge no-one should have to endure. Scans have revealed cancerous tumours in her brain and other parts of her body. But this bright and positive twenty-three year old flight attendant has incredible strength. In part one of her story, she prepares for the fight of her life and draws on her family – who she refers to as her “wolf pack” – for support.

Twenty-three year old flight attendant Julie is about to embark on round one of her fight for survival. Scans have revealed cancerous tumours in her brain and other parts of her body and tonight, in part two of her story, she has brain surgery to remove two tumours. Also, twenty-seven year old mum Chris has been battling a chronic liver disease for more than a decade and her only chance of survival is a new liver. Last week she received the call she had been waiting for and tonight she finds out if her new liver will be enough to give her a new lease on life.

Twenty-three year old flight attendant Julie is about to embark on round two of her fight for survival. Scans have revealed cancerous tumours in her brain and other parts of her body and tonight, after brain surgery, she starts her radiotherapy.

Zoo volunteer Betty, 73, has been feeling unwell for some time, and a scan has turned up the biggest spleen her doctors have ever seen. Weighing an estimated 2kg, it has to come out.

A scan has revealed a cyst on 24-year-old Lisa's pancreas; however, she won't know how dangerous it is until it is removed and may have to lose part of her pancreas

April has only just married but has had to put her future on hold while she deals with a painful lesion on her liver. Doctors won't know what it is until they remove it; however, removing it puts the liver at huge risk.

Nineteen year old Fijian, Milise is in kidney failure. Fortunately her older brother has offered to donate a kidney to his little sister and the operation can be performed in Australia.

The operation begins to remove Rupeni's kidney in part two of Fijian teenager Milise's amazing story. Meanwhile, over the past two months Roger has noticed his voice changing. Investigations have revealed a squamous cell cancer on his vocal cord, and Roger is opting for laser surgery to spare his larynx and, hopefully, improve his voice.

Anna loves cooking but she can't taste anything due to an ongoing and potentially life-threatening problem with her sinus. Severe headaches and trouble breathing through her mouth has finally persuaded her to seek medical help.

Jodie is about to endure her 22nd operation for arthritis and she's only 38. The hairdresser and mother of two lives in constant pain and is hoping that this next round of surgery will give her some relief. The plan is to fuse her ankle, and if time allows during the operation, and there is not too much blood loss, her toes will be fused as well.

Seventy-three-year-old Harvey was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2006. Scans have revealed the cancer is now at the base of his brain.

Gemma's liver is failing but instead of waiting for a deceased donor liver, she is turning to her husband for help. If the operation goes ahead, it will be the second of its kind performed in Australia. Gemma's husband Stephen and his surgical team are assessing the pros and cons of giving part of his liver to save Gemma's life.

In part two of Gemma's story, she and her husband Stephen, say goodbye to their daughters knowing the risks involved in going ahead with the surgery.

Twenty-seven-year-old Emir has been dealt a cruel hand. A rare genetic condition means he has battled various cancers since he was a boy. This time doctors fear the cancer has invaded his intestines.

Con has two basal cell carcinomas. One is quite small, but he has neglected the other one for 12 years. He realises now that it may kill him if it is left untreated. He is told he will have to endure 14 hours of surgery to be rid of it. Plus, three-year-old Thelo is brought into emergency after falling at day care and hitting his head.