Cassidy was 5 years old when she was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor, Stage IV. She had her left kidney removed, began radiation and then chemotherapy. While undergoing chemo, Cassidy's right kidney began to lose most of it's function. She was put on dialysis and ultimately finished chemo almost a year after her diagnosis. In June 2010, she received a new kidney from her Mommy. She began to get sick sometime toward the middle/end of November 2010, and after several doctor's appointments, a spot was found on her small intestines. In January 2011, after having a biopsy, Cassidy was diagnosed (at the age of 8) with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She began chemo at the end of January and has a total of six months worth of treatment.
Throughout the past three years, Cassidy has had approximately eight surgeries, numerous hospital stays, taken countless amounts of medicine, and missed out on a lot of things that healthy kids are able to do. She enjoys cheerleading, dance, softball, and being in the school play. While she has endured a lot, Cassidy has been an inspiration to many. . . she continues to bounce back from everything that she's been through. She has kept a smile on her face and has become wiser than her years. I am proud to be her mother and only wish that I could take away these past three years and make her healthy again.
