Heartbroken family prepare to say goodbye to their beautiful baby son after he went into cardiac arrest at home - as his devastated mother urges pregnant mums to get an important scan
- Brisbane baby Parker Williamson born with a congenital heart condition
- Four-month-old spent this week on life support after a cardiac arrest at home
- Will be moved to children's hospice as distraught family prepare to say goodbye
- Heartbroken grandmother has vowed to ensure Parker's life won't be in vain
A heartbroken family is preparing to say goodbye to their tiny brave fighter described as the happiest baby with a smile that melted everyone's hearts.
The odds were stacked against little Parker Williamson well before he entered the world on February 22.
Brisbane couple Chelsea Holman and Luke Williamson found out at 30 weeks that he had a congenital heart condition known as transposition of the greater arteries (TGA).
Parker underwent complex open heart surgery when he was 12 days old and suffered a stroke a day later.
He spent the next four months in and out of hospital before things took a tragic turn last Sunday when he went into cardiac arrest at home.
Ms Holman, 27, found her little boy unconscious, not breathing and surrounded by blood and vomit.
She frantically performed CPR on Parker for 20 minutes while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Parker has spent the last four days on life support in Queensland's Children’s Hospital, where a MRI has confirmed the devastating news no parent ever wants to hear.
Chelsea Holman and Luke Williamson will say goodbye to their son Parker in the coming days when he's moved from hospital to a children's hospice
This was baby Parker with his mum Chelsea on June 11, just one week before his life took a tragic turn for the worst
'We've received the worst news possible,' Parker's grandmother, Liz Holman, told Daily Mail Australia.
'He's been given no chance. His little brain is no good because he was starved of oxygen for 23 minutes.
'We're now gathering close family together so everyone can say goodbye. No one should ever bury their child.'
Parker's devastated parents met with palliative care staff on Thursday to discuss plans to transfer him to children's hospice Hummingbird House, where he'll take his final breaths in the next few days.
'They'll take out the tube where he could go straight away or he could breathe on his own a little longer.'
While his family knew Parker had brain damage as a result of the stroke following open heart surgery, the extent wouldn't be known until he was older.
Liz Holman described her grandson Parker as the happiest and smiliest baby, despite what he's been through
Parker Williamson (pictured) has been on life support for the last four days
Parker (pictured on life support this week) was diagnosed with transposition of the greater arteries, a congenital heart condition before he was born
The family said they will always treasure the precious time they've had with Parker, which included to a trip to his parents hometown of Cairns in May, where he met his great-great grandmother.
Beautiful photos with his proud parents show a delighted Parker smiling for the camera just a week before he went into cardiac arrest at home.
His grandmother said her little fighter was like a cat with nine lives who inherited his mother's placid nature.
'He was the smiliest happy baby who would light up the room,' she said.
'The only time he ever cried was when he had a wet nappy or if he was hungry, despite being poked and prodded every time he went to the hospital.
'He has been to hell and back.'
Her daughter Chelsea described the last few days as 'the worst of our lives'.
Beautiful photos with his parents show a delighted Parker smiling cheekily for the camera just a week before he went into cardiac arrest at home
Chelsea Holman has been at her critically-ill son's hospital bedside since Sunday when he went into cardiac arrest at home
'Our beautiful little family has been through so much, emotionally as well as financially'
'Firstly, Parker, Luke and I are humbled, honoured and overwhelmed with the love and support we have received,' she posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
'Our Parker Leigh is still alive, which is a miracle! The doctors can’t believe that he is still surviving and still fighting.. but we all knew he was a fighter from the start.
'Unfortunately due to his body and brain being starved of oxygen so long, we still don’t know what this looks like. At the moment, his eyes are open, however he isn’t alert of what is happening.
'They believe he can hear us, however is unresponsive.'
A GoFundMe was set up by Chelsea's mother this week received more than $20,000 within two days.
The couple, who run a small business, have no savings as they bought a house shortly before Chelsea found out she was pregnant.
Friends and family have rallied Chelsea Holman and Luke Williamson, pictured with Parker a week before their son was rushed to hospital
Parker with grandmother Liz, aunt Sophie (left) and mum Chelsea (right)
Liz Holman (right) said her daughter Chelsea is determined to ensure Parker's life isn't in vain
The money, which was going to be used to modify the home for Parker's needs, will now go towards his funeral and easing the financial burden on his parents while they come to terms with their tragic loss.
'This has been truly heartbreaking for our family and it is taking its toll. Our beautiful little family has been through so much, emotionally as well as financially,' the page states.
The family are also determined to ensure Parker's legacy will continue and have given permission for his organs and tissue to be donated.
They've been overwhelmed by the community's generosity.
'I would give it back in a heartbeat,' Ms Holman said.
'Parker's life won't be in vain as there are so many things we want to do.
'My daughter wants to share her story with others and encourage other pregnant mums to get the scan for TGA at 30 weeks.'
Parker after having open heart surgery at 12 days old
