It is hard enough for a teen facing a major medical problem.
Imagine how difficult it would be without his mother.
The Children's Miracle Network has helped several Siouxland kids through their tough times.
That includes one teen battling his health condition, while his mother struggles to stay in the country.
As passengers hopped off a bus traveling from Mexico to Sioux City, you can imagine the anticipation. But for one bus rider, the 37-hour haul was long overdue. A mother seeing her teenage son for the first time in almost three years, a complete surprise, to the teen.
His aunt, Senaida Carper, "I was like "Can you go with me because I don't want to go by myself." and he was like "Ya, I can go with you,"so he got up and got ready and we take off and get there, he was "Where is the lady?"
Christopher Flores-Toptee was born in Sioux City but moved to Mexico with his mother when he was young. That's when he started facing health issues.
Christopher's uncle, Kent Carper said, "He was such an active soccer player but he started to get tired and worn out and when they took him to the hospital and they ran several tests but they were unable to give it a complete diagnosis and we were very concerned and worried."
So Uncle Kent and Aunt Senaida flew down to Mexico and brought Chris back with them, wanting to provide him the medical treatment he deserved. And the result has been outstanding.
Carper, "The treatment and the prayer, he has become very strong, and it has changed his life. Chris, he's very quite, but he's so polite and he has a very big heart and he helps us so much around the house and takes care of the dog and watches over the girls."
The 14 year old is doing better, but doctors pinpointed his condition to Aplastic Anemia, meaning his body isn't producing enough new blood cells, calling for a bone marrow transplant. A match donor awaits Christopher but it has been difficult finding the perfect time to do the operation.
That's where the teens mother comes into the picture, being able to stay with Chris in Omaha during his recovery months.
Christopher's aunt translated for his mother claiming, "She feel that it was so short because she was so excited to come and see her son."
During the bus ride, his mother was traveling on a Ten-Day Visa, expecting to get an extension but to the family's surprise, she was denied. So they had to get a lawyer to get her five month extension, meaning she can be with Christopher during his recovery time.
