One patient in critical, four in fair, one to be discharged. All making fantastic progress.
She did have spontaneous eye opening yesterday, more and more alert.
Rhee: Aggressive physical therapy with Giffords today.
Lemole: Eye opening was a combination of the unexpected and familiar. Implies that parts of brain that let us awake from sleeping, arousal center, are working.
Lemole: All very encouraging. The consistency of her reactions is positive and important.
Lemole: We are always vigilant, but this is a major milestone for Giffords.
Rhee: Removal of breathing tube is next major milestone. Probably will wait at this time.
Lemole: Difference between eye opening on Sunday and yesterday was the type of stimulation.
Lemole: We have seen the eyes begin to track.
Rhee: Hope to get Giffords into a chair tomorrow. Giffords is breathing on her own, tube is not breathing for her.
Rhee: Giffords' reaction is similar to waking up in the morning.
Lemole: "Dangling" Giffords off bed allows them to analyze use of her legs, which appears strong.
Lemole: You could see that Giffords was more "aroused" when congresswomen were around. The "unexpected familiarity". Difficult to quantify influence of family and friends.
Rhee: Less miraculous for doctors because they had seen signs coming.
Lemole: "Miracles happen every day...we are wise to recognize miracles."
Rhee: Response they've received is "crazy". Lemole: "It's humbling."
Lemole: Every exertion is tiring, doctors are looking for stretches of activity.
Lemole: Confirmed that Giffords is moving both of her arms, both of her legs, opening both of her eyes.
