It was only fitting that 14-year-old Johey Basedow celebrated Thanksgiving during his stint in a US hospital, with a big smile and walk around his ward.
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The St Peter's Maitland student remains in hospital and continues to make gains after an epic 20-hour surgery to remove 3000 tumours from his abdomen.
Mum Emma said Johey is still heavily medicated with 24-hour pain relief. He is doing well with physical therapy, managing to get up and dressed and walk two laps a day of the surgical floor.
"He hurts, but has such a determined attitude towards his recovery," Emma said. "He started tube feeds with a tube remaining in place until radiation is completed at home, much to his disappointment," she said.
"Of the 13 drains, tubes and lines that were in his body only four remain and they should be out in the next day or two.
"Today is Thanksgiving Day here and we have so much to be thankful for," Emma said. "We are on track for a discharge within two weeks of surgery, which could not be a better result."
