A mother told she had terminal cancer by doctors who ignored her pleas for help 13 times has made a miracle recovery following the UK's first operation of its kind. Ruth McDonagh was repeatedly turned away by medics over the course of two years despite suffering from the classic symptoms of bowel cancer. By the time it was diagnosed, she was told she had just 18 months left to live as a huge tumour in her bowel had grown so large it was almost inoperable. Her only option was a £100,000 operation only available in the US which was certain to leave her paralysed from the waist down. But at the eleventh hour a team of UK doctors trained in the American technique agreed to carry out Ruth's surgery in a 13-hour operation never before carried out in this country.
Amanda Bohm, 22, and her mum, Janet, 58, were the best of friends .
A fox takes a tumble and lands on his head when he tries to fend off a pair of eagles in Japan .
A loving daughter has set up a Facebook page in a desperate plea to strangers, to donate a kidney to her dying mum .
A group of otters put on a show of aqua aerobics, as they raise their flippers perfectly in sync .
A Gary Barlow superfan has lost an incredible 11st after a selfie with the pop star left her horrified by her 22st 9lb figure .
Raising his arms above his head and lying flat on his back, a polar bear stretches as he sprawls out across the ice .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
For years Jeorgia Woodd, 30, abused her body, having succumbed to a condition known as 'diabulimia' .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
An adorable black bear cub struggles to find the perfect spot for an afternoon nap as he wriggles around on the branch of a maple tree .
Lauren Kilgariff, 29, was with husband, Shaun, 31, for four years .
A GLOWING range of greens and blues sweep across the sky in a spectacular display of light .