Try GOLD - Free
ETHAN'S FESTIVE MIRACLE!
Woman's Day Australia
|December 22, 2025
Watching her son thrive fills Mindy with joy
-
Mindy Monck will never forget the Christmas she felt so sad she simply "couldn't smile".
Her beautiful 18-month-old son, Ethan, was facing the fight of his life following a devastating kidney cancer diagnosis.
Instead of excitedly waiting for Santa and tearing wrapping paper off his toys under the tree like other little boys his age, Ethan was heavily sedated, having just undergone gruelling surgery at Monash Children's Hospital, 200km away from his home in Sale, Victoria.
"Christmas Day was quite a hard day for us," an emotional Mindy tells Woman's Day.
"Ethan wasn't able to open his eyes or his presents. It was his first Christmas where he could acknowledge it. He should have been able to open those gifts, [have] us see the happiness on his face, but unfortunately that wasn't our reality."
REMEMBER FOREVER
This story is from the December 22, 2025 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Woman's Day Australia
Woman's Day Australia
KATHLEEN FOLBIGG I'M GETTING MARRIED!
After being unfairly locked up for decades, she has found love
2 mins
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
ETHAN'S FESTIVE MIRACLE!
Watching her son thrive fills Mindy with joy
2 mins
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
MILEY'S REVENGE ENGAGEMENT
She quipped that her dazzling custom-made engagement ring was a “Black Friday deal” due to the timing of her engagement announcement but a jewellery expert estimates that Miley Cyrus’ cushion-cut diamond set in 14-carat gold ring bestowed on her by fiance Maxx Morando could’ve cost a whopping $685,000!
2 mins
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
MARK BERETTA IN LOVE AGAIN
The former Sunrise star goes public with his new girlfriend
1 mins
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
MELISSA MCCARTHY DROPS 43KG!
Melissa McCarthy has left fans stunned by her jaw-dropping weight loss, with the funnywoman estimated to have lost 43kg!
1 min
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
ERIN PATTERSON SOLITARY CONFINEMENT CHRISTMAS
The mushroom murderer is facing a bleak festive period locked up alone
2 mins
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
TAYLOR & TRAVIS SHOTGUN WEDDING!
It's full steam ahead for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding – and if things go to plan, there could be an extra big surprise on the day!
1 min
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
CHAOS AT ATHENA'S CHRISTENING
Just days after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie declined to attend the Princess of Wales' annual Christmas carols concert, royal commentator Phil Dampier says the sisters are \"walking a tightrope\" between loyalty to their parents and allegiance to the royal family.
1 min
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
DANIELLE'S SHOCK TELL-ALL 'I DUMPED RUSTY!'
Danielle Spencer has opened up about her guilt over her split from Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, revealing she was behind the breakdown of their marriage.
1 min
December 22, 2025
Woman's Day Australia
TRAVEL GUIDES' JOY BABY FREN IS A BOY!
Their Travel Guides cohort is about to get a whole lot cuter with the news that Jono Fren and his wife Danielle are expecting a baby boy! The couple shared the exciting news on Instagram at the weekend, as they celebrated with family and friends at their baby shower.
1 min
December 22, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size