Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) in critical condition, 6 others killed in Arizona

[Joe Biden 2020]

The child who died was 9 years old.

Giffords's wound was a through-and-through on "one side of the brain".  If the previous report that she was capable of speaking is true, it's quite likely that means the wound was in her right hemisphere.

Shot "one time in the head through and through" does not necessarily mean the bullet hit her brain.  The head contains more than the brain.  

The good news is that doctors are optimistic about the Congresswoman's recovery.  The bad news is that others still died.

Would they've brought neurologists in and had them operate if it was just a shot to the jaw?

EDIT: Hmm, check this out.  Right temporal and frontal lobes, if anywhere... not bad, all things considered.

I was afraid that even if she 'survived' a shot to her head, she would be practically brain-dead and remain indefinitely on life-support.

Is it safe to say she is out of the woods on that count at least?  

 

They say the next 24 hours is critical to her long-term recovery prognosis.  I guess only time will answer your question.

[Joe Biden 2020]

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has said the House has postponed all legislation for next week, including the symbolic health-care repeal vote.

I'm working on getting a link, but I got it on a tweet text from Politico.

[Joe Biden 2020]

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has said the House has postponed all legislation for next week, including the symbolic health-care repeal vote.

I'm working on getting a link, but I got it on a tweet text from Politico.

http://twitter.com/politico

"Next week's health repeal vote (and all other legislation scheduled for next week) postponed, Cantor's office says in a statement"

Thanks!!!

[Joe Biden 2020]

I have been keeping up with Gabby's recovery every day on CNN.com and the news is ver encouraging from opening her eyes, trying to hug her husband, and regaining control over her arms and legs.  I wouldn't be suprised if she is upgraded in the next couple of days to serious condition.  We're long past the 72-96 hours when swelling usually will set in after a shot to the head, so this is very good news.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I have been keeping up with Gabby's recovery every day on CNN.com and the news is ver encouraging from opening her eyes, trying to hug her husband, and regaining control over her arms and legs.  I wouldn't be suprised if she is upgraded in the next couple of days to serious condition.  We're long past the 72-96 hours when swelling usually will set in after a shot to the head, so this is very good news.

She's opening her eyes because the doctors are weaning her off sedation.

It's still no less miraculous.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Her condidtion has been upgraded to "serious".

I had to look up whether or not that was a good thing, hah

I think it goes from critical to serious to fair to good in order of decreasing severity. That's what I hear from my friends who are nurses.  Of course, within the critical label is a sub-level of "critical, but stable", I think that's a little better than critical, but not quite as good as serious.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Gabby has been upgraded to serious condition.  I'm also encouraged that the doctors have not seen any complications since taking the breathing tube out Saturday.

It saddens me, but really doesn't suprise me, to hear of one of the victims in trouble with the law himself after threatening a tea-party member.

[Joe Biden 2020]

She's been upgraded to good condition.

I read that!! That's wonderful!!