Warning: graphic content!
The boy, identified only as Jose, who was living with his parents in Ciudad Juarez – one of the deadliest cities in the world – could finally start a new life. After stories and images of the boy went viral, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations helped them to leave the gang-infested neighborhood and got treatment for the boy.
Jose, shown here aged 10, with his mother
Cindy, and father Jose Sr. It was only in 2012 that his parents even
found out what was causing the growth their son has had since he was a
baby
Giving an interview
to the journalists last year, parents of the child said the tumor on his
shoulder and neck had grown so large that it affects his eyesight and
could move into his heart. Luckily, Jose’s case was brought to the
attention of medical experts after he was spotted by missionaries from
the First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho, near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Doctor examines Jose’s shoulder at the First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho, N.M.
The boy was
diagnosed with venous lymphangioma on his shoulder. The doctors said
that he had to undergo a series of surgeries and treatments to remove
the huge fluid buildup. This week the brave 11-year-old boy underwent surgery to remove the tumor from his neck, shoulder and torso area.
The boy underwent surgery Monday at the
University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital to remove the tumor from
his neck, shoulder and torso area
The surgery lasted a more than 12 hours
and involved 25 medical professionals at the University of New Mexico
Children’s Hospital. Federal officials were asked to extend his stay in
the U.S. so the boy could continue treatment. He still needs surgeries
to reconstruct his shoulder bone and to remove excessive skin, officials
said.
