'She has so many defects we've lost count': Meet the brave baby girl who is still full of smiles despite enduring three open-heart surgeries and a cardiac arrest before her first birthday
- Gold Coast baby Scarlett Furner continues her brave fight for survival in hospital
- Born with congenital heart defects, Scarlett has been in hospital since April 13
- Faces uncertain future following a recent series of serious health complications
A Gold Coast family has put their lives on hold as their critically ill baby girl fights for life with an uncertain future ahead of her.
Scarlett Furner is just 10 months old but has already had three open-heart surgeries and has gone into cardiac arrest twice.
She has been in hospital since April 13 and will likely spend her first birthday there due to a recent failed heart surgery, followed by a series of health complications that have stalled her recovery.
Parents Ashleigh Taylor and Josh Furner have put their careers on hold to maintain a constant vigil at their little girl's bedside in the intensive care unit at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane.
Scarlett Furner (pictured after the latest setback on May 22 ) has suffered multiple complications following two recent open-heart surgeries, including a sepsis infection
Scarlett had just started crawling when she was admitted to hospital for open-heart surgery
'Although very sick, Scarlett is full of smiles all the time and is the happiest little baby,' Ms Taylor told Daily Mail Australia.
'She has every reason to be angry and hate the world but she smiles at everyone.
'She won't be leaving ICU anytime soon. She has gone from crawling to being stuck in a hospital bed for two months.'
Born with complicated congenital heart defects, Scarlett was just four weeks old when she underwent open-heart surgery and went into cardiac arrest.
Her second open-heart surgery on April 15 failed and resulted in her going into cardiac arrest again and was placed on an extracorporeal life support machine, which can have serious side effects.
A third heart surgery eight days later was more successful.
Being at their daughter's hospital bedside since April 13 has taken an emotional and financial toll on Ashleigh Taylor and Josh Furner (pictured with Scarlett)
However, Scarlett has since suffered a series of complications from being on the ECMO which have affected her kidney, liver, brain, lungs, spleen and other organs.
A platelet dysfunction caused Scarlett to bleed into her skin on top of countless lung infections and seizures.
Scarlett was recovering in the normal ward when she was rushed back to ICU after being diagnosed with sepsis.
'Scarlett now has two unhealthy lungs as well as a faulty heart,' Ms Taylor said.
'She has had that many defects I've lost count.'
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Connor, 5, hasn't seen his baby sister Scarlett since she was admitted to hospital in April
There are are also fears little Scarlett may have brain damage, but it is too early to tell the extent of it.
'The long-term prognosis for Scarlett is uncertain,' Ms Taylor said.
'We don't know what the future holds. The extent of brain damage is unknown and she will need more heart surgery.'
The next goal is to work with doctors to come up with a new treatment plan after Scarlett underwent a catheterisation procedure on Tuesday.
'All we want now is to her to be out of bed and moving around again,' Ms Taylor said.
'Although very sick, Scarlett (pictured in hospital) is full of smiles all the time and is the happiest little baby,' mum Ashleigh Taylor told Daily Mail Australia.
Adding to the parents' anguish is the fact they have not seen their son Connor, 5, for two months.
'It's hard being away from Connor but we would do the the same thing if he was the one who was sick, you go to the child that needs you,' Ms Taylor told Daily Mail Australia.
'He just wants his baby sister back home safe.'
Scarlett's parents have lived off their savings for the last two months.
Unable to afford a hotel, the couple have stayed with friends as they struggle to cover the costs of their baby's surgery.
Connor (left) says goodbye to his baby sister Scarlett before she went to hospital in April
Ms Taylor and her partner have been overwhelmed by the generous support given through a GoFundMe page that has already raised $17,215 to help ease the financial burden.
'The one time I tried to return to work was when Scarlett's condition rapidly deteriorated,' Ms Taylor said.
'The money raised will be a lifesaver and will make a difference while we remain by her side in hospital.
'When you have a child with a history of being in and out of hospital, it's hard to save money. We've chewed through our entire savings so we're blown away by the money raised.'
Scarlett Furner (pictured with dad Josh) will likely spend her first birthday in hospital
Scarlett (pictured) has had three open-heart surgeries and gone into cardiac arrest twice
