The year 2020 was a trying time for nearly everyone. Particularly for a little girl named Janessa.

Janessa was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in her left kidney on July 27, 2020. Clear cell sarcoma is a cancer most often found in the soft tissues in the arms, legs and hands, but can also be found in the torso including the stomach and intestines. In rare cases, it is found in the kidneys.

The tumor found in Janessa’s kidney was as big as a cantaloupe. Two days after she was diagnosed, she was in surgery to have the large tumor removed. After the tumor was removed, Janessa immediately went into another surgery to have ports inserted in her body. Janessa had to have radiation treatments for 6 days. She then continued on to have chemotherapy for 25 weeks.

Janessa was in and out of the hospital due to having high fevers in between her treatments. She was in the hospital for over 125 days, missing out on so many special moments. Missing her kindergarten year in school, playing with friends, playing on playgrounds, and seeing family were just a few things that made her diagnosis even harder.

After 7 long months of being in and out of the hospital, going through radiation and completing chemotherapy, Janessa and her family are beyond excited to report that she is cancer FREE! And what better way to celebrate than with cake!

The very special bakery, Everything Iced, provided an awesome 3-tiered cake with bright blues and purples, complete with a cute owl cake topper! Janessa was beyond happy to see her cake. This made her celebration even better!

To learn more about Janessa’s fight you can look her up on Facebook @Janessastrong2020, and read more about what the Everything Iced bakery is up to (including their newest school supply drive!) on their facebook page.

With Smiles,
Chasity Brown
The Blog Team
www.icingsmiles.org