“No kid ever deserves this,” Jasmine Ramirez’s sister said, “but she has faced incredible challenges and kept moving forward.”

A Florida teen is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove her 174-lb. leg.

Jasmine Ramirez spent most of her life living with a rare lymphatic tumor that affected her left leg, according to ABC affiliate WFTS.

The condition, which she has had since she was 2, caused her leg to grow abnormally, CBS affiliate WPEC reported.

Jasmine underwent several surgeries over the years, but a recent serious infection in the leg led doctors to recommend removing it.

The teen then underwent nearly 17 hours of surgery earlier this month at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Doctors “were able to remove 90%” of the mass, which also affected her abdomen, in addition to removing the leg, according to Anastashia Carrasquillo — identified by WFTS as Jasmine’s sister — who organized a GoFundMe campaign for her and their family.

Jasmine now faces what Carrasquillo described as a “long, rigorous journey” as she continues to recover.

She will spend Christmas at the hospital, though Carrasquillo said Jasmine “will not be sad” because she will celebrate with her loved ones.

Carrasquillo said her sister already “is getting stronger” following the major surgery.

“Still, the challenge of adapting to this new stage of her life is real,” Carrasquillo said on the family’s fundraiser. “She is so strong and we know recovery will continue to go well.”

More than $22,000 had been raised through the GoFundMe campaign for Jasmine and her family as of Dec. 23.

The family is also regularly updating a Facebook page called “Jasmine’s Journey” with information about her, her life, and her future.

“We just want people to know how strong Jasmine is and how courageous and kind she is,” Carrasquillo said, calling her sister “a sweet girl.”

“No kid ever deserves this,” Jasmine’s sister continued, “but she has faced incredible challenges and kept moving forward. We want people to know the story of her strength, her courage, and everything she has overcome.”

Source:  People