(USA Today January 14, 2005) Here is the latest update concerning the medical condition of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords: Neurosurgon Michael Lemole said Thursday that Rep. Giffords is yawning, rubbing her eyes and showing clear signs that she's awakening and "starting to become aware of her surroundings." Five days after emergency surgery for a gunshot wound to the brain, doctors have already begun physical therapy, dangling Giffords' legs off the bed and asking her to lift them. "She's able to move her legs on command," said Lemole, of University Medical Center in Tucson,. "That's huge. She's moving both her legs." Even though her condition is still critical, doctors say her progress bodes well for her long-term recovery, though they say it's too early to tell how she'll progress.
During Saturday's shooting, a bullet struck the left side of her brain, home to nerves controlling language and vision. The region also governs the movement on the right side of Giffords' body, which is why doctors say her leg movements are such a good sign. Giffords startled her husband, her doctors, and a roomful of friends from the House and Senate on Wednesday by opening her left eye, moments after President Obama stepped out into the hallway. During a memorial service that evening, the president stated that Gabby opened her eyes for the first time.
According to the news today, Giffords is even able to communicate with her hands. They are hoping that within the next few days they'll be able to remove her tube which snakes through her vocal cords into her lungs, making speaking impossible. Giffords is breathing on her own.
Our prayers go out to Giffords and we hope she recovers soon.
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