TIRR Doc: "She looks spectacular (Giffords)

[RamboLiberal]

HOUSTON - The team of doctors at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital have completed their initial assessment of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and the doctors there unanimously agree that she is alert and aware of her surroundings.

Dr. John Holcomb, who traveled with Giffords from Tucson, says she reacted with smiles and tears as she heard her supporters cheering for her as she was transported to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base this morning.

-----

Dr. Dong Kim, of TIRR Memorial Hermann, agreed that Giffords' progress has been tremendous.

"She looks spectacular," he says. "She was alert, awake, calm, and looked comfortable. She's got very good movement on the left side of her body, very purposeful."

http://www.kvoa.com/news/tirr-doc-she-looks-spectacular-/

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. She will surprise even her doctors

There is an intangible in medicine that you really cannot see until well you see it. Two patients, with the exact same condition will recover at very different rates... it is that thing called will.

I am almost willing to make a prediction... her new normal (She is not getting back 100%), is going to be very close to her old normal...

Partly it is her being in the OR, within 63 minutes of injury... which is pretty dang close to the golden hour.

Partly it is the bullet coming in at essentially muzzle velocity and the ballistics characteristics of that round.

Partly the path it took...

And that intangible.

As to speech... which is one of their concerns... piece of trivia time. While men have ONE verbal center, women have two. This is why women recover speech that much easily.

[malaise]

6. I sure hope you're right

Fingers crossed.

[PBS Poll-435]

2. The great news keeps coming

I know that there might be some setbacks in the coming time, but I can't wait for Gabby to get back to what she is passionate about.

[kayakjohnny]

3. This is wonderful and amazing.

I just can't believe how many times I've been astounded by the news of her progress.

It all seems so unexpected and is happening so quickly.

I'll always remember how 2011 began, that's for sure.

Thanks for the news.

[RamboLiberal]

4. In top 5%

Dr. Kim also said Giffords is in the top 5 percent of what they would expect from a gunshot injury to the brain.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/21/national/main7270184.shtml?tag=stack

[Frustratedlady]

5. It has to be a desperate feeling to understand what is going on around you...

but to be unable to speak. I hope she is able to recover her ability to communicate very soon.

Such an inspiration to everyone...definitely to me.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. That is why hubby gave her an IPAD I suspect

Pen and paper would work too... but in this case a pad, with a stylus for the keyboard can be very helpful. Easier to tap on letters at times than write. Those that will come too.

[Sonoman]

7. The head and spinal Drs at TIRR are the best in the world.

I was a patient there for two years. Those folks can really put it together.

This is wonderful news.

Sonoman

[Control-Z]

9. Two years?

Without prying, I wonder if you can say if your injury was similar to Gabby's, and what the average recuperative time (that would be done at TIRR) might be for an injury like hers and/or yours, based on what you've experienced and witnessed.

I will understand if you wish to keep your own information private.:)

[Sonoman]

10. It's OK

I was in a drowning accident at the age of thirteen and I was underwater for a long (albeit undetermined) length of time. I had no discernible vital signs when I was pulled out of the water, but there was a certified lifeguard right on the scene. He performed mouth-to-mouth on me for whatever time it took the Fire Dept to get there. Blew the gums away from all of our teeth.

But he saved me. It made national news back then (mid-60s).

When TIRR pulled me out of an induced coma, the only thing I knew was my name. I did not even recognize my mother. I could neither walk or talk.

Two years later, I was almost back to where I was before it all happened.

She's in the best place on Earth for what she needs.

Sonoman

[csziggy]

11. Wow! That is amazing

It is great to have you with us after that.

[Sonoman]

12. Thank you.

I have actually had two other near-death experiences, but I could never post them in a public forum.

Sonoman