Giffords blinking and smiled at husband, doctors say

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ eyes are unbandaged, she’s blinking, focusing on her husband and has smiled at him, doctors said this morning.

While her prognosis remains unclear, doctors at Tucson’s University Medical Center say the Democratic Tucson congresswoman continues to make a “miraculous” recovery after getting shot in the head.

Giffords, 40, was shot clear through the left side of her brain Jan. 8 as she held a meet-and-greet with constituents at a northwest side supermarket. She is one of three patients from the shooting who remain hospitalized at UMC. Giffords is in serious condition, the other two patients are in good condition.

A total of 11 patients were taken to UMC following the shooting rampage. Six people were killed.

Giffords underwent surgery Saturday to repair pressure and bulging that was forming in her right eye. While it was the left side of her brain that was affected, the gunshot wound sent, “shockwaves throughout the brain” and part of her right skull was damaged, too, said UMC oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Lynn Polonski.

Polonski said both of Giffords’ eyes are unbandaged, she’s blinking and able to focus both of her eyes on her husband and follow his movement — a good sign, he said.

Her breathing tube was also removed from her face and replaced with one that goes through her throat. Trauma surgeon Dr. Randall Friese said Giffords’ husband Capt. Mark Kelly has seen his wife smile more than once.

Kelly reportedly told Diane Sawyer of ABC News that Giffords gave him a neck massage on the weekend.

Doctors said the next major step for Giffords will be moving into rehabilitation. He said her family is looking at facilities across the country. Friese and neurosurgeon Dr. G. Michael Lemole Jr. would not say this morning how much movement Giffords has on her right side. They say the tracheal tube in her throat prevents her from being able to speak, but would not speculate as to whether she’ll be able to do so once it’s removed.

The left side of the brain typically controls right-sided strength, sensation and speech, including the ability to understand simple commands, and she was wounded on that side.