Sen. Gillibrand returns from visit with Giffords

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) returned Monday from Houston, where she visited with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.

"Returned fr Houston today. Gabby continues to defy the odds & is so appreciative of all your support. Pls cont to keep her in your prayers," Gillibrand posted on her Twitter account.

Giffords was shot in the head at close range during a public event in Tucson, Ariz., on Jan. 8. After receiving initial treatment at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Giffords was moved to TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston to begin rehabilitation.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/twitter-room/other-news/141219-sen-gillibrand-returns-from-visit-with-giffords-

[hlthe2b]

1. Problem with tweets... no real information conveyed..

I went to the link and sure enough... no real update on her condition. Darn... :shrug:

[SkyDaddy7]

2. I am not in anyway saying I know...

how she is doing...But my wife was in a car wreck, a head on collision at 45 MPH & the other truck was doing 45MPH...Needless to say my wife had a very severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Her face was crushed so bad it folded back over her ears! It was so bad that her two shattered legs, shattered hip, pelvis and left arm was not even a concern. So, I know what shape my wife was in this early in the process. Well, my wife was still on a respirator in ICU at this point. She was not moved to a rehabilitation hospital until day 39. At that point on a good day she would squeeze your hand & release it and put up two fingers when asked. Most of the time she would only do it for me which made me feel good...But to tell you how freaking weird a brain injury is when she finally got to the point she was somewhat alert she did not know who I was. She said all she knew was my voice was comforting. It literally took years before she was back to "normal".

So, Like I said I have no idea what shape Gabby is in but my guess it is going to be a very long road ahead. And she will probably have permanent damage like paralysis or partial paralysis of the right side & who knows what her cognitive abilities will be.

Every brain injury is different...Some people can fall in their office hit their head on a desk & be in a vegetative state the rest of their lives & others can get shot in the head & after a long rehabilitation be able to function on their own.

EDIT: I just wanted to add I hope her husband has the will to stick by her side...It can be really hard because the person that wakes up after such an injury might not be the person who you married. However, after time it did not matter to me.

[hlthe2b]

3. Yes....

I'm glad your wife has recovered to the extent that she has. Thank you for sharing your own experience.

[SkyDaddy7]

4. No problem...Have you seen this?

Did you see the American Idol contestant who's fiance was with him that just had a Traumatic Brain Injury?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/27/chris-medina-on-american-idol-sings-for-brain-damaged-girlfriend-julia-ramos_n_814650.html

[hlthe2b]

5. No... I hadn't, but that is a very nice story...

'Glad they treated them both well and he got his chance. He seems like a wonderful guy.

[hlthe2b]

6. It takes a special person, special relationship to stick with it...

through all of that. I know you probably don't want the accolades, but you have them, nonetheless. :toast:

[SkyDaddy7]

8. Thanks...

I did stick it out because my wife is awesome! I always told myself during the darkest of days that she would never leave me. And unfortunately that test came I suffered a spinal cord injury a few years ago & I am now permanently disabled...Needless to say a spinal cord injury has stolen a lot my ability to be a complete husband yet my wife seems to careless. I knew I was right about her all the time!

[SugarShack]

7. You are a great man.....and great husband!

[SkyDaddy7]

10. You would not believe how wonderful my wife is...

I always told myself while going through the tough times that my wife would never leave me...Well, about 5 years after her wreck & right as she was getting back to being herself I suffered a spinal cord injury really high up on my neck...Needless to say it shattered our lives again & should have shattered our marriage considering what spinal cord injuries do to a male. But my wife never skipped a beat. I truly am very lucky to have her!

[Control-Z]

9. My first husband fell.

He was found unconscious with bleeding from the head. He never woke up. Remained in a vegetative state for about three year before he died.

[SkyDaddy7]

11. I am so very sorry to hear this...

I feel guilty for telling my wife's story...I hope you are doing OK? My wife did not die but I got to feel what a total loss was like for a short period but I have NO IDEA what it must be like to be in your shoes. I am truly sorry for your loss.