Latest update on Gabby Giffords.

[warrior1]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/exclusive-gabrielle-giffords-husband-captain-mark-kelly-opens/story?id=12629468

On Sunday Giffords' condition was upgraded from critical to serious, a day after doctors replaced Giffords' breathing tube with a tracheotomy tube to allow her to breathe better and free her from the ventilator. Kelly told Sawyer that Giffords' is now moving around enough to give him a back rub.

" so typical of her. She's in the ICU. You know, gone through this traumatic injury. And she spent 10 minutes giving me a neck massage," Kelly explained. "I keep tellin' her. I'm like, 'Gabby, you're in the ICU. You know, you don't need -- you know, you don't need to be doin' this.' But it's so typical of her that no matter how bad the situation might be for her, you know, she's lookin' out for other people."

[derby378]

1. Damn...

Gabby is one tough cookie. I can't believe she's giving neck massages already!

[Tippy]

2. The patients that do the best are usualy not quiters, they get real bull headed

when told they can not or should not do something. I know my sister was like that God rest her soul.

[derby378]

4. My dear wife was like that too

For your sister... :hug:

[Tippy]

7. Thank you

[SugarShack]

3. The most important finding at the time of vent removal is speech ability and they're not saying.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. Kinda hard to speak with a tracheotomy. -nt

[kestrel91316]

6. She probably has a REALLY REALLY REALLY sore throat and swollen vocal

cords from the breathing tube. Don't expect speech immediately.

She gave hubby a neck rub. That says a lot more to me than speech.

[jakeXT]

14. A bullet went through the left side of her brain.....

I wonder if she talked while she was bleeding and being held by her staffer on the parking lot ?

[pottersvilleusa]

15. Yes I'm very concerned about her speech ability

Given the area of the brain that was damaged.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. That is astonishing news!

I used to be a critical care nurse, and I NEVER saw a patient get this well this quickly. NEVER.

I think she's going to be fine.

The speech will come, after her throat has a chance to heal ...

Wow.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Massage her GSW must be back to almost normal

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. GSW?

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Coma Glasgow scale

I mistyped

[Pool Hall Ace]

16. I think you are right, Nurse Peggy! :)

It was two years ago today that I had my craniotomy. I was only in surgery for seven hours, but I remember how sore my throat was when I woke up. There was also a lot of bruising in the area. Brain surgery is a rough ride! I think Congresswoman Gabby will be talking before we know it. :D

[bluestate10]

12. Impressive. Giffords is one tough cookie. nt.

[warrior1]

13. I'm

amazed at her progress.