MSNBC: Gifford talking prior to surgery and is still alive.

[Joe the Revelator]

Who knows what to believe.

[CTyankee]

1. I hope that is a good sign...

[dkf]

2. Please please please let this be right.

[d_b]

3. Good.

[backscatter712]

4. Positive vibes!!! n/t

[onehandle]

5. I hope that's true. nt

[Dennis Donovan]

6. I hope she was merely grazed...

Man, this is frustrating. :argh:

[Horse with no Name]

7. I hope so.

However..being shot in the head with a semi-automatic weapon doesn't usually rend those results.
If you remember, Princess Diana was also talking before surgery.

What I believe is that the local reporter had a source inside the hospital (which is generally the case) who told him that she was dead. That is a PR nightmare for the hospital because of next of kin notification.
There is a hospital press conference at 3:30 MST. This would be an appropriate amount of time for notification.

However, I hope that I am 100% wrong.

[HereSince1628]

8. Thanks to America's endless production of wounded

the treatment of head wounds has improved greatly.

We all hope for the best.

[Fleshdancer]

9. May she survive and come back stronger than ever

She's in my thoughts.

[NutmegYankee]

10. A head shot doesn't mean a hit to the brain.

But it's still a major wound. I hope she pulls through as well as the others who were not killed instantly. :cry:

[somone]

11. On same Fox News page: "Giffords was fatally shot in the head", "Giffords in Critical Condition"

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/08/arizona-congresswoman-reportedly-shot-public-event/