In May 2024, the Mudge family were preparing to welcome their third child into the world – a time that should have been filled with joy and celebration.
Just days before baby Elkie was born, their eldest daughter Ellie, only four years old at the time, woke up from a nap screaming in pain. Her parents, Aimee and Brent, rushed her to hospital, where scans revealed something no parent wants to hear – a tumour.
As they waited anxiously for answers, Elkie made her arrival. Four days later, the call came: Ellie had been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.
Faced with the extremes of welcoming a newborn while fearing for their eldest child’s life, Aimee and Brent found themselves navigating a reality no parent is prepared for.
Ellie’s treatment was immediate and intense. She underwent major surgery to remove the tumour and part of her bladder, endured nine tough inpatient rounds of chemotherapy, six weekly chemo infusions, and 23 rounds of radiation without general anaesthetic.
But through it all, Ellie showed extraordinary resilience.
Throughout this journey, Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland has been a lifeline. From the very first hospital admission, the Mudge family were provided with more than just accommodation – they were given a place to stay together and close. Having the entire family close during Ellie’s treatment was vital for her mental health and for her parents, who were juggling newborn life, hospital stays, and trying to maintain normalcy for their middle daughter, Ayla.
During treatment, Ellie’s grandmother decorated their South Brisbane House room with balloons and ribbons, transforming it into what Ellie now calls the “party house”. For a child who had begun to dread hospital visits, our House made her treatment feel magical.
The warmth and care from employees and volunteers made all the difference. From kind words and emotional support to programs like Meals from the Heart, the Mudge family were provided with comfort and care throughout the entirety of their journey.
Ellie returned home to Tweed Heads o begin the next phase of her journey: maintenance chemotherapy. But life didn’t suddenly become easier, there were still challenges – more hospital stays, CVL line complications, illnesses and transfusions.
Yet even in the chaos, there was growing gratitude. With each hurdle, the Mudge family could see just how far Ellie had come.
Ellie was later accepted into a clinical trial, extending her treatment but also offering hope. At the end of January 2026, came a moment the family had been waiting for: Ellie finished chemotherapy.
Not long after in early March, another life-changing milestone followed – Ellie had her CVL line removed. That moment marked the end of a chapter that defined nearly two years of her life. For the first time in 22 months, Ellie could simply be a child again.
She could go underwater.
No dressings.
No tape.
No restrictions.
Today, Ellie is back at school – laughing, learning, and rediscovering the simple joys of childhood.
While regular scans remain part of life, the weight has lifted. The family are breathing easier, holding onto hope and celebrating every step forward.
And through it all, Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland remains part of their support system. Because when a child is in hospital, family stays. And we stay with them.
The Mudge family’s story is just one of thousands that walk through our doors each year. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we can continue to provide a home-away-from-home for families in need 365 days a year. Donate now to support families like the Mudge’s.
