Posted on 01/11/2011 2:53:45 PM PST by jazusamo
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is breathing on her own and is moving both arms, both very encouraging signs of recovery, physicians at University Medical Center in Tucson said Tuesday.
In an interview, Dr. Peter Rhee, the chief of trauma at the medical center, said Giffords was moving both arms, although her left arm was more active than her right, and moving her eyes. Previously, doctors had said that she was moving only her left arm, which is controlled by the right hemisphere of her brain — the side that was not penetrated by the bullet.
The fact that she was able to move her right arm, which is controlled by the injured hemisphere, suggested that the damage was not as bad as surgeons had initially feared.
The swelling around her eyes had decreased, and although she hadn't opened them yet, Rhee said he detected "flickering" that indicated she was trying. Most notably, the swelling in her brain had not increased; swelling tends to peak about three days after such an injury.
"She is able to generate her own breaths," Dr. Michael Lemole, one of the neurosurgeons who operated on her after the shooting on Saturday morning, said during a news conference. Nonetheless, Giffords' doctors have left a breathing tube in place in an effort to prevent fluid from entering her lungs, which could cause pneumonia.
The surgical team also has revised its initial assessment of the bullet's trajectory, which the doctors had thought entered from the rear and exited over the left eye...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
There are a lot of poeple praying for her.
What about the others?
Not taking anything away from her but, What about the other people who were shot?
Outstanding!!!!!
Keep fighting Gabby!!!!
I believe the most critically wounded was Giffords. The rest are expected to recover.
I’m not positive, but that’s what I suspect.
Its great to hear some good news like that. What it means is that that evil bastard failed in his mission. I hope to God she shows up in court and have her very presence mock him as he is sentenced to life.
Certain things cause a grown man to cry.
I think I’ll have one of those today!
Amen on both counts.
Prayers offered up.
“She is able to generate her own breaths,”
Easy to forget how awesome that apparently simple thing is...
That’s great news.
According to docs, that part of the brain controls motor functions. Now let’s hope and pray she will be equally able to move her legs, and walk again.
My hope is that she gets to look him in the eye as she pulls the switch.
Now that’s carma...
I have a close friend who suffered a very similar injury, by his own hand. He was in the hospital for a year, then a rehab clinic for another. That was over 30 years ago. He’s pretty much fine, except he needs to wear a brace on his right ankle. I hope she does as well as my friend. Heck! I hope she does even better!
Thank you Father, heal her, your will be done in Christ name..
Amen, Binger. This is great news!
Sorry...but life in prison is too good for this evil SOB.
He deserves nothing less than death. And if I was King it would happen very fast....and wouldn't be lethal injection.
God willing, she will make a full recovery and be able to see her attacker getting a lethal injection.
I usually don't pray for celebrities or politicians, but in her case I made an exception.
Remarkable woman.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.