A Lump That Changed Everything
Life was simple for a family from Mildura. Landon, their energetic little boy, filled their days with laughter, imagination, and joyful chaos. During Christmas of 2024, a round of sickness made its way through the extended family. When Landon remained tired and unwell into the new year, his parents Stephanie and Trent assumed he was simply struggling to shake off a stubborn bug.
It wasn’t until late January 2025 that they discovered a hard lump under Landon’s ribs. Initially dismissed as a possible bowel issue, the lump persisted, prompting a visit to their family doctor. When antibiotics failed to help and the family’s concerns grew, they sought a second opinion at urgent care.
Within hours, their world turned upside down.
A Flight to Melbourne
5 February 2025, started as a routine trip to Mildura Base Public Hospital’s emergency department. It ended with Landon being admitted and the devastating news that he had a large, likely malignant mass in his liver. The next day, the family found themselves on a flight to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, leaving behind their familiar life in Mildura for an uncertain journey ahead.
“Our initial reaction is as you would imagine – lots of tears, fear, worry, hopelessness, questioning why and how,” Stephanie recalls. “It was very hard, and it still is.”
A New Reality
On 12 February, Landon received his official diagnosis: Hepatoblastoma, a malignant liver tumour that had spread to his lungs. What followed was a whirlwind of procedures, tests, and treatments. Within days of arriving in Melbourne, Landon underwent multiple surgeries under general anaesthesia – CT scans, biopsies, and the insertion of ports for his upcoming chemotherapy. The medical team became an extended family: oncologists, nurses, social workers, therapists, and even Captain Starlight, all working together to support Landon and his family. The very next day marked the beginning of Landon’s chemotherapy journey. The treatment plan was intensive: three blocks of three-week cycles, with weekly chemotherapy sessions that required hospital admissions.
Finding a Home Away from Home
From the very first day on the ward, Landon and his family were referred to the Ronald McDonald House in Parkville. While Stephanie remained with Landon in the hospital, Trent, and their youngest son Cale stayed just down the road at the Ronald McDonald House, which soon became their home away from home, for many months to come.
“We are so grateful that we can stay here together at Ronald McDonald House,” Stephanie shares. “If we had to be separated this would have made everything so much harder.”
The House provided more than just accommodation – it offered meals when the family was too overwhelmed to cook, early year’s learning support that delighted Landon, and a community of families who understood their journey.
Despite the challenging circumstances, life continued to unfold at the House. The family celebrated Stephanie’s 32nd birthday, Easter, and most importantly, Cale’s 1st birthday – milestones that meant so much more in their new reality. When Trent could take time off work, they explored Melbourne together, visiting places like the Victoria Markets, Melbourne Zoo, and St Kilda’s beaches.
The Long Road to Recovery
The Journey Continues
