Teen Undergoes Major Surgery for Rare Condition, Begins Long Road to Recovery
A 14-year-old girl named Jasmine is beginning a lengthy recovery after undergoing a complex, life-altering surgery to address an extremely rare medical condition that has affected her since early childhood.
According to her family, Jasmine returned to her room in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit following approximately 17 hours of surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Surgeons successfully removed 99% of a large abdominal tumor and amputated her left leg, a procedure that was necessary due to years of uncontrolled growth linked to her condition. The surgery was completed without complications.
Initially placed on a ventilator following the procedure, Jasmine was able to wake up quickly and was taken off ventilatory support soon afterward. Within hours of surgery, she demonstrated remarkable strength by transferring into her wheelchair, an encouraging milestone early in her recovery.
Before surgery, members of the Bradenton Police Department visited Jasmine and her family at the hospital to offer support and encouragement. The visit was meant to reassure Jasmine that she was not facing the upcoming surgery alone and that her community was standing behind her during one of the most challenging moments of her life.
Jasmine’s condition is so rare that it does not yet have an official medical name, with only one other similar case known in the United States. Since the age of 2, her left leg had grown progressively and uncontrollably, eventually becoming larger than the rest of her body combined. Over the years, she has endured repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, treatments, and chronic pain.
While the surgery marked a major turning point, her family emphasized that recovery remains physically and emotionally demanding. Care in the PICU has been constant, involving frequent vital checks, medications, dressing changes, respiratory therapy, and ongoing monitoring. The process has taken a toll on Jasmine and her family as they adjust to a new chapter of life.
Despite the challenges, Jasmine continues to show resilience and strength, gaining progress each day. Her family remains hopeful that she will soon be able to transfer out of the PICU and continue her recovery on another floor.
To keep supporters informed, the family has created a Facebook page titled Jasmine’s Journey, where updates on her recovery will be shared. Community members are encouraged to continue sending thoughts and prayers and, for those who wish, to support the family by sharing her story or contributing to ongoing needs as Jasmine works toward healing and rehabilitation.
