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| Jose Antonio Ramirez Serrano is recovering at University of New Mexico Hospital. / AP Photo |
An 11-year-old Mexican boy is recovering after doctors removed parts of a watermelon-sized tumor from his neck, the Associated Press said Tuesday.
The surgery on Jose Antonio Ramirez Serrano, performed by doctors from University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, took 11 hours, the report said.
Around one-third of the tumor was expunged.
''In the operating room, we encountered more bleeding than expected,'' said Pediatric Surgeon Cynthia Reyes, according to the AP. But Reyes said the team was able to get the bleeding under control.
''He's had an amazing attitude during the whole thing,'' added Jimmy Windsor, director of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia at the hospital.
Serrano, whose story has caught international attention, has months of physical therapy awaiting him.
Jose was spotted by members of First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho during their missionary visit to Ciudad Juarez, one of the deadliest cities in the world due to drug cartels.
In July 2012, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agreed to pick up the boy and his parents from the neighborhood.
With federal agents seeking to provide care for the patient and his story going viral online, donations poured in to help the boy.
New Mexico State Gov. Susana Martinez visited Jose in his recovery room to encourage him and his family.
