Giffords survives the night; can open eyes

By Curtis Prendergast

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The bullet “traveled the entire length of the brain on the left side,” said Dr. Rhee, Chief Trauma Surgeon at the University Medical Center, at a press conference on Sunday.  In terms of being shot in the head, this is “about as good as it’s going to get,” said Rhee.

Giffords can open her eyes, but because she is on a ventilator she can’t speak, said Rhee.

The surgery took about two hours, said Rhee.

Rhee attributed Giffords’ surviving the gunshot wound to a variety of factors, including a fast response by paramedics, proper care by the hospital staff, and luck.  The bullet did not cross from one hemisphere of the brain to the other, nor did it go through the geometric center of the brain.

The other patients are recovering.  Only one patient remains in critical condition, said Rhee. The rest have moved out of the Intensive Care Unit.

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Follow this link for a report on her condition from the Tucson Sentinel.

Follow this link to read the federal complaint against Jared Lee Loughner, the suspected shooter in Saturday’s killings.

Follow this link to watch a video of the press conference.

Follow this link to read a report on Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik’s comments on the shooting and the shooter.

Follow this link to read a report on the shooting.

Follow this link to read a report on the basic facts of Saturday’s shooting.

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