An 11-year-old Mexican boy who was diagnosed with venous lymphangioma, a massive tumor on his shoulder, was treated in New Mexico and is out of the intensive care unit.

In July 2012, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations assisted in removing the boy, Jose, and his parents from a dangerous, drug cartel-infested neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Federal agents were instrumental in helping the family seek care for Jose after First Baptist Church members saw the boy during a missionary visit.

Stories and images of Jose and his plight soon went viral, and First Baptist Church officials reported a jump in donations to help raise money for the surgeries.

The watermelon-sized tumor on his shoulder and neck grew so large that it affected his eyesight and could have, if left untreated, affected his heart.

Jose’s parent had previously attempted to seek treatment for the massive tumor in Juarez and El Paso but were unable to receive any help, as they had no money for medical care.

The surgery lasted more than 12 hours and involved 25 medical professionals.

Kristean Alcocer, speaking for the First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho that helped to raise funds to treat Jose, told The Associated Press, "He spent almost 18 days in the ICU recuperating from the extensive surgery," and that when he woke up "he asked, 'What happened?'"

Alcocer said Jose believed he had only been asleep for one day when he had in fact been asleep for nine.

According to doctors at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, months of physical therapy and more surgeries still remain for the boy.

While recovering in the ICU, Jose received a visit from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. The governor has asked federal authorities to grant the boy and his family extend visas so he could continue to receive his treatment in Albuquerque.