She looks like a happy baby, but 8-month-old Avery Mailloux is a survivor.
The cherubic infant has already had two surgeries to repair embolisms in her brain during a seven-week stay at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and faces another to repair two holes in her heart.
The drama started two months ago when Avery was diagnosed doctors in Windsor with two holes in her heart. From there, she was airlifted to the London Health Sciences Centre. Within hours, she was transported to the hospital in Toronto where doctors put her on life-support after her expanding heart collapsed one of her lungs.
During her stay in Toronto, she was diagnosed with a Vein of Galen malformation in her brain and on December 10, had her first surgery to repair the embolism, followed by a second operation eight days later.
On December 27, Avery could finally breathe on her own, and her parents were able to take her home January 16.
Since then, the family has made many trips back and forth up Hwy. 401 for various doctors appointments.
Family friend Becky Ollett says Avery may be back home for the time being, but she requires round-the-clock care.
"She's been on oxygen therapy and a feeding tube. She requires nursing visits. She's on a really strict medication and feeding guideline," says Ollett.
A fundraising dinner planned at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch on Howard Ave. in Windsor on March 5, will help Avery's parents, Katie and Terry Mailloux, cover the many expenses for travel, medical equipment and medication. It goes from 5pm to 9pm, and tickets can be purchased by contacting the family on their Facebook page "All About Avery."