Gabrielle Giffords' condition is improving after she survived the recent Tucson shootings. She is able to move spontaneously and respond to commands, though still on a ventilator. Giffords is all but guaranteed to survive, but the extent of the damage has yet to be seen. There is no doubt these medical bills are likely to add up to more than a personal loan could cover. Post resource - Shooting victim Gabrielle Giffords’ condition improving steadily by MoneyBlogNewz.
Improving from near fatal wound is Gabrielle Giffords
The Los Angeles Times reports that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is showing signs of improvement after Jared Loughner shot her within the dead at the Tucson, Arizona shooting. Giffords is being steadily weaned off sedation as she recovers. Any lung infections could be countered by a ventilator that she continues to be on. ”Spontaneous movements, like adjusting the hospital gown and feeling wounds, are what Giffords is doing right now. This is what Dr. Peter Rhee said as the head of trauma at the University Medical center Giffords is staying at in Tucson. Rhee then made it clear that there will be more details in the next few days as Giffords is in an unpredictable state of recovery still.
Survival assured but recovery uncertain
The survival of Giffords is something doctors are confident in. The damage her brain has gone through with the bullet is unknown still. CBS reports that Dr. Rhee spoke some more. He said survival is “101 % guaranteed” and "she will not die. She doesn't have that permission from me." The extent of the damage from the bullet fired from the Glock 19 Loughner allegedly used is unknown. Brain damage is practically certain as the bullet went all the way through the left hemisphere. This is the part of the brain that speech functions and the right side of the body’s movement is controlled by.
Loughner could face death penalty
The death penalty is a possibility for 22 year old Jared Loughner. He will have to be convicted of charges though. There were 14 wounded from the Tucson shooting. Six were killed though. Judy Clarke, a federal public defender, is representing Loughner. The past has shown that she has defended a lot of people who didn’t end up getting the death penalty. She is quite good about this. The next hearing, as outlined by CNN, is scheduled for Jan. 24 in Phoenix before Judge Larry Burns, who has been assigned the case.
Information from
LA Times
latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-arizona-shooting-medical-20110113,0,1845333.story
CBS News
cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/11/politics/main7235166.shtml?tag=pop
CNN
cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/12/arizona.shooting/index.html?hpt=T1
