'Absolute hell': Young girl dies in mum's arms of horrific illness
Six-year-old Tiana Hurley has spent much of short her life in hospital.
The little girl who loved unicorns and flamingos, who aspired to be a teacher when she grew up and always made her grandmother laugh, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer when she was just two-years-old.
Her mother, Lynette Hurley, was by her daughter’s side as she spent 18 months fighting the rare and aggressive cancer.
“We went through absolute hell and back, I sat by her side the entire time,” Ms Hurley told 7News.
Just as Ms Hurley thought her daughter’s battle was over, Tiana was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease, a complication from the chemotherapy that had saved her life.
Tiana, who her mum playfully called “Wonder Woman” didn’t let the intensive hospital visits and endless treatments get her down, instead she focused on making sure everyone else was happy.
“Tiana always worried about other people and always wanted to lift others up even though she was the one suffering the most,” her stepfather James Anderson said.
Mum shares devastating story of toddler's death from mystery illness
Three-year-old girl’s 'tonsillitis' leads to horror diagnosis
Young girl's health deteriorates after Easter
Tiana spent the last 12 months on oxygen 24 hours a day, she was in and out of hospital with pneumonia and a constant cough but on Easter Sunday doctors told her family things were looking positive and she may be able to go home for a week or two.
However, by April 8, the little girl’s health deteriorated and the next morning Ms Hurley was told her daughter may only have days left.
On the night of April 9, Tiana passed away in her mother's arms in Queensland Children's Hospital.
"It's with a very heavy heart and greatest sorrow that I advise that at 10.50pm last night, our beautiful Tiana grew her angel wings and passed away in her sleep while laying in my arms,” the devastated mother wrote on a GoFundMe page raising funds for her daughter’s treatment.
“I’m completely shattered right now as is James and our entire families… Our beautiful little Wonder Woman will be forever loved and missed."
Friends and family have shared their condolences on Facebook.
"Rest in peace beautiful angel. You fought so hard. Still don't want to believe you've been called home to rest princess," one person wrote.
"I shall forever remember Tiana’s abundant personality," another replied.
"She was the most adorable little girl that had the biggest heart. Fly high darling girl and watch over your beautiful mum," a friend wrote.
The GoFundMe page has so far raised over $5,0000. The money will now be used to pay for Tiana's memorial.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
