An Alberta couple will have at least a few more weeks with their infant daughter Hermella, after going to court in an effort to keep her on life support.

Anna Motsyk and Will Mammo filed a court injunction earlier this month, when the Alberta Children's Hospital told them it planned to take their daughter off of life support.

Doctors say eight-month-old Hermella is brain dead, but Motsyk and Mammo believe she could still recover.

On Monday, a judge agreed to grant the family more time.

"Our hearts go out to you. We cannot imagine the trauma you are going through," Alberta Associate Chief Justice John Rooke told Motsyk and Mammo. "Sometimes all of us have to come to terms with the things we cannot change."

Rooke adjourned the case until Jan. 4.

In the meantime, Motsyk and Mammo will have until Dec. 28 to obtain legal counsel. Both sides also have until Dec. 28 to submit any further documents to the court.

"I was so happy that we have time," Motsyk told reporters.

Hermella was first diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was only two months old.

The family flew to Toronto for a risky operation, but Hermella developed an infection following the procedure.

When they returned to Calgary, doctors told Motsyk and Mammo that Hermella was brain dead and not expected to recover.

But since then the parents say they've seen signs of progress in their daughter.

"She reacts to light, to voice, to music," Motsyk said. "She hears and sees us."

While Hermella's movements may seem promising, doctors have previously said this doesn't mean she's getting better.

Still, the couple is hopeful.

"She'll recover," Motsyk said. "We have one more month."

As Dec. 28 approaches, the couple is now looking for a lawyer to represent their case.

And after spending their savings on medical bills and travel expenses, they're hoping somebody will step up to help them pro bono.

"We are just here simply to give our daughter the best chance she deserves," Mammo said. "She's beaten all odds that have been placed against her. Why now are we quitting on her? It's just not fair."