Health

Surgeon Updates Congresswoman’s Status: ‘Remarkable Recovery’

On Monday morning, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’s surgeon Dr. Peter Rhee updated the congresswoman’s prognosis and said he is still very optimistic about her recovery. He also explained how the hospital is taking care of Giffords and speculated as to how she survived:

Comments (51)

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  • Rob Cohee
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Let us all ask God for a miracle. That Congresswoman Gifford from Arizona being in one of the finest institutions of American medicine, Being cared for by the worlds finest Doctors, Nurses and Staff; That she will have a miraculous recovery.
    Let us expect a miracle for her and her family.
    Let us ask forgiveness for The Gunman.

    Report Post »  
  • wampanoag
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:08pm

    “On Monday morning, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’s surgeon Dr. Peter Rhee”

    Not to be picky but Dr. Rhee is not her surgeon. He is the chief of the ER.

    Report Post »  
  • Shackleford
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:40am

    So she’s going to be perfectly healthy and back to normal soon? Oh wait, no? You mean she’s going to have life long medical problems, mental shortcomings, and scarring due to the human body’s ridiculously poor ability to heal? Her poor medical future sounds more like the work of man than a miracle from an all-powerful being.

    What about the 9 year old girl, the judge, and the other people who died? I guess God doesn’t want to give their families a miracle.

    Report Post » Shackleford  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:43pm

      @SHACKLEFORD

      Perhaps my faith in this matter is a little stronger since I recieved a similar miracle myself. I survived emergency surgery for a ruptured brain aneurysm. Acording to Cedar Sinai Hospital, the mortality rate for what I went through is in the ninety something percent range. And those who do survive usually have very bad problems like being paralized, blindness, seizures or something.
      They kept me sedated and unconscience for two days after the surgery to prevent seizures. When I woke up, I didn’t even know what happened but I could talk and answer questions. For a couple of days nurses and doctors kept asking me questions like, what my name is, what time is it, do I know where I am and stuff like that. It got to the point where as soon as they walked in the room I spouted off my name, the date, time of day and answers to whatever they had been asking me before, before they had a chance to ask. They had a hard time believing that I was doing so well after what I went through. I was so restless that I wanted to get out of bed eventhough I had a tube sticking out of my forehead to drain fluids from my brain cavity and an IV in each arm and a urinary catheter. I felt no pain what so ever except in my hips from laying in bed so long. I wanted to get up! I had asked for my daily dose of morphine, (which was for pain I didn’t have), so I could sleep better. Morphine makes people do wierd stuff sometimes. In the night I had a dream that the doctor said I could go home the next day. I woke up two hours after I fell asleep and had the dream and thought it was morning. So being all goofed up on morphine, I got out of bed, pulled the drainage tube out of my forehead and pulled out the IVs. I thought it was time to go home! When the nurse came in the room there was fluids draining on the floor from the IVs and I was standing beside the bed with my hands under my hospital gown, trying to pull that darn catheter out. I was trying to escape. The nurse was very frustrated with me and after she made me realize what the reality was, I apoligized and went back to bed feeling sad that I could not leave.
      In a matter of a few days I had talked them into letting me take a shower, (with my IVs attached), and they let me walk the floor of the hospital with my IV stand in tow. I was in the hospital for only 2wks total and they almost couldn’t wait to let me go home because I was being a nuisance. I started physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 months. I read a book about brain health and started taking vitamins and stuff that the book sugested. I did experience a few episodes of confusion where it seemed my brain just quit working for short periods of time and I didn’t know what to do next. But they passed and eventually never came back. They say that is normal when the brain is healing. I never have had a seizure.
      After three months of physical therapy to regain my strength, I went back to work as a construction truck driver pulling 100ft long tractor trailer rigs through highway construction projects with all the traffic, barrels, cones and flaggers. AND, I did a better job than some of the other guys I worked with, having no incidents!!….Bless God!!

      No one can know the whole mind of God and why things happen the way they do. I don’t know why God chose me for a miracle. At least not yet! I do know He loves me. And He loves you too!
      God’s ways are higher than our ways and except for what we can gleen from scripture by the Holy Spirit, we know very little compared to the infinite wisdom of God who created the heavens and the earth. That is why we need faith to sustain us until all things are revealed to us at an appointed time in the future. Faith in God is not easy sometimes. As a matter of fact it is really hard to be faithful in the hard times and when things happen that we don’t understand and that are painful. “Faith comes from hearing and hearing, by the Word of God.” I also wonder sometimes why God takes some and leaves others behind. I like to think that He loves some, like the little girl, so much that He brings them home to be with Him early. I really don’t know. Trust in God is everything. No matter what comes our way. And what’s comming our way in the not so distant future will require all the faith we can muster. All of this means nothing apart from Jesus Christ. He is the only foundation that will stand up to the storms that are comming.

      May God bless you and help you in your journey…………………

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • hikinggussie
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:34am

    these doctors are a credit to themselves, their hospital, the university, the state of Arizona. Very professional.

    Report Post »  
  • omigosh
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:08am

    A nation prays for you, Congresswoman Giffords. I know you will make a great and full recovery.

    Report Post »  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:01am

    Some will say this is happenstance; or maybe a coincidence; or just really good doctors.

    I‘ll agree it’s really good doctors, too.

    But, I submit for consideration, might it not also be the power of prayer–from thousands of us who hold Faith, maybe even millions of us.

    I read a sting from last night, where one atheist was so fervent in his belief that he directly attacked quite constantly people who hold to a Creator, debating even their smallest points of hope and love for a person they never met. This atheist sought only to attack, refusing–in his view–to let people grieve as those who do it according to our own hearts and individual conscience.

    In my estimate of this person, he is plain old rude. And more heartless than the God he denies. He flat-out refused to let people, alone, come unto their own understanding and hope.

    How rude; how base!

    I won’t presume the mind of God. I do know, for sure from the people here, that prayers have gone to the Above. I see a result for all that, thank the Lord.

    A ‘remarkable recovery’, the doctors say.

    Atheists might well say this is just ‘good luck.‘ I say it’s the power of prayer to the Majesty of Creation.

    Choose as you wish. However it works out, and for me personally, I praise my Lord that my prayers have been answered for the fast healing of this Lady, and for all those suffering from this horrid event.

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • TennesseeConservative
      Posted on January 11, 2011 at 8:42am

      Amen to that. Lift up your name Oh GOD of all creation. that your name be great in all the Earth. In the name of our Master Savior Jesus Christ.

      Report Post » TennesseeConservative  
  • GeeWhiz
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:42am

    Everything was on her side with this situation. In referencing trauma situations, the most critical part is ‘the Golden Hour’: the first hour after the injuries sustained, and how fast people are treated. Of course the nature of the trauma itself is important, but if there is to be any hope in hell that something can be done, for the most part, that first hour is critical. It’s amazing to me that she was able to be in surgery within 38 minutes of the injury, considering the craziness of the situation that caused it in the first place. So many people hurt, so much chaos, and yet the system worked like it should.

    As he put it, if you’re going to be hurt like this, this is the best case scenario, even if it’s the worst sort of thing to happen. Here’s hoping that her healing continues, that she doens’t have any serious setbacks, and that she heals so that she can have her life back, as best as possible.

    Thoughts and prayers going out to her and all of the other victims of this tragic event.

    Report Post »  
  • untameable-kate
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:28am

    This story is so tragic as it pertains to the others who were killed and so inspiring when you hear and read of the wonderful miracle that is happening with the congresswoman. Prayers go out to her and all the other people trying to heal physically and emotionally.

    Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:27am

    I pray not only for recovery but to be made whole again. In Jesus name

    Report Post »  
  • BeckFan1964
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:13am

    Prayers being sent for the Congresswoman and all those injured.

    Prayers can work! Pray for our country while you pray for the Congresswoman and others!

    Report Post » BeckFan1964  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:13am

    Lets hope she will be back in congress in very short order with very little change. Text book case of miraculous healing

    Report Post » TJexcite  
    • maxstout
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:22am

      Even if she cannot serve in Congress again, please send her home to her husband and family.
      Let us all be thankful for our spouses, family, friends, lawmakers, and wonderful country each and every moment.

      Report Post »  
  • hughglass
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:05am

    Thank God Obama and the Rats are going to save our health care system. I promise you, given 10 years of government control of health care, we would be attending Cong Giffords funeral today, not praying for her recovery.

    Report Post » hughglass  
  • DRB
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:57am

    God bless!

    Report Post » DRB  
  • maxstout
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:48am

    God please provide the miracle of healing for her.
    Just be thankful for all highly proficient medical facilities in this great country today.
    They are often taken for granted.

    Report Post »  
  • deskpilot
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:48am

    Dr. Rhee and his team are the hands of God working their miracles.
    And then of coursse, there is their training and experience. Dr. Rhee and his team have obviously learned much from battlefield conditions and have effectively transferred that learning to the civilian medical practice. Thankfully, they chose agressive, clinical and surgucal intervention and broght the finest of their skills to bear to a woman in need. At Ms. Giffords case history progresses, I hope that this team can publish their accounts and pathology so that the neuroscience and ER doctors can benefit from their experience.
    May God continue to guide the doctors and heal Ms. Giffords.

    Report Post »  
  • 48
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:44am

    God bless the congresswoman and all the other victims and their families, Lord have mercy on them.

    Report Post »  
  • rappini
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:40am

    Prayers are up for the Congresswoman her family and all those who were hurt in the AZ shooting. God Bless the medical staff at the Hospital.

    Report Post » rappini  
  • youguysready_letsroll
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:28am

    The 9 year old girl is the saddest part of the story. Glad the Congresswoman is recovering. Hope there are no copycat attempts from other mentally sick losers.

    Report Post » youguysready_letsroll  
  • Bill
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:22am

    Amazing! She is being watched over and I am sure she will survive.

    Report Post » Bill  
  • joseph Fawcett
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:22am

    i believe it is all the prayers that are being offered up, prayer is the best and most effective medicine. Oh course the doctors get to take the credit.

    http://www.josephfawcettart.com please pray for my younger brother Anthony Fawcett, he need a miracle right now. had a massive heart attack and contracted H1N1 flu, he is dieing, please pray. Thanks

    Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:21am

    That may have been one of the best live interviews I have ever seen – informative, to the point and without a spin in any direction. Thank God for Dr Rhee’s experience overseas and for his wonderful outlook for the Congresswoman. We are praying for her complete recovery.

    Report Post »  
  • Alexandra1214
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:20am

    Keep the Prayers coming …. thank God for these Doctors and All who care for Gabby … Keep the Prayers Coming for ALL of the family and friends who were part of this Tragedy!!! Amen …..

    Report Post » Alexandra1214  
  • Bjpuhala
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:18am

    Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her family, and this Nation.

    Report Post »  
  • HillBillySam1
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:16am

    Praying for a full and complete recovery for Congresswoman Giffords. Praying for guidance and skill for the medical staff taking care of her and all of the wounded.

    Report Post »  
  • pavnvet
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:16am

    Amazing!

    Report Post » pavnvet  
  • Stuck_in_CA
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:20am

    Hallelujah! Thank you LORD. Thank you Doctors! Great news!!!!!

    Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
  • teammommy
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:30am

    yes Yes Yes….

    Report Post »  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:32am

    Amen

    Report Post »  
  • GeauxAlready
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:35am

    Pray for God’s hand to touch all those hurt……………………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • RJLittle
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:49am

    Thank you Lord for our mercy in this terrible ordeal. Continued prayers for Rep. Giffords recovery.

    Report Post »  
  • bookofwisdom
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:03am

    Amen. She and her family need all our prayers and God will prevail. We also Thank God for these doctors and the modern medicine He has given us. May God Bless.

    Report Post » bookofwisdom  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:09am

    Any of you Christians ever get that strong sense of peace like what you are praying for is already a done deal while you are still speaking the words?

    Happens to me from time to time. Happened to me when I prayed for Ms Giffords. I almost didn’t finish praying because I knew it was done and instead began giving thanks instead. The only reason I checked this site first thing this morning when I got up, was to read this good news. I don’t mean to sound like a spiritual heavyweight or something. I’m a doofus! I just somehow knew God was going to work a miracle for Ms Giffords.
    Thank You Father for Your blessings, be glorified in this miracle!

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • watchmany2k
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:26pm

    @rational Man
    The Word was specifically revealed to the weak and the low, and yes, even we doofuses.
    With Faith we can move mountains. ANY one can be a saint, just ask and get out of the way and let him work. Spot on with thanks giving !
    It the original wireless system -the G-1, no purchase required, pre-paid !

    I am very hopeful with her communicating and following commands, I hope for her to make law as soon as she is able !

    Report Post » watchmany2k  
  • Dootuz
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:58pm

    Pray for her and our country. We need God more then ever.

    Report Post »  
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