Doc: Giffords '100 percent' certain to survive

Tucson Sentinel ^ | January 11, 2011 | Dylan Smith

[RobinMasters]

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is "100 percent" certain to survive, said Dr. Peter Rhee, a surgeon treating her for a gunshot wound to the head.

"As a physician I'm going to get into a lot of trouble for this, but her prognosis for survival is 100 percent, as far as it being short term," Rhee told Britain's Channel 4 News (watch the video below).

"Hopefully she'll live to be 95 years old," said Rhee, the medical director for University Medical Center's trauma center.

"What her recovery is going to do I really don't know. I'm very optimistic however that she's not going to be in a vegetative type of state," Rhee said.

"I think she's going to make a fair amount of recovery. What kind of deficits she'll have in the future I really can't say at this point but I'm still very optimistic," Rhee said.

Giffords remained in critical condition at UMC after she was shot in the head while meeting with constituents Saturday.

Six were killed and 13 others were shot, authorities said.

Accused shooter Jared Lee Loughner, 22, made an initial appearance in a Phoenix court Monday. Loughner faces five federal charges in the killings of U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll and Gabriel Zimmerman, a member of Giffords' staff; and attempting to kill Giffords and two other staffers: Ron Barber and Pamela Simon.

[Puppage]

And, the quality of that life?

[therightliveswithus]

Great news!

[ClearCase_guy]

Great to hear! I hope she makes a full recovery.

[dead]

Great news, but rather odd for a doctor to say that.

[unojook]

Great News!!

[bereanway]

I know this qualifies as wishful thinking, but on another website it was noted that a poster’s relative had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and made a nearly 100% recovery. Today she loves life and loves to dance and is evidently quite good. Head injuries are extremely tricky and it’s impossible to predict how complete or full the recovery will be but things so far sound very good.

Continue to pray for Gabrielle and all the other victims and their families.

[Borges]

I’m sure they said that about Natasha Richardson. Doctors shouldn’t make comments like this.

[Fred Hayek]

Congresswoman Giffords is fortunate to have a surgeon experienced in treating battlefield trauma. She was also a key person in getting a severe trauma center located in Tucson. Prayers up for her recovery.

[hoosierham]

I would fervently wish she not become another Jim Brady to be used as a stage prop by cynical opportunistic gun-grabbing socialists.

And anyone who guarentees something 100% without the power to make good on that promise is a fool ,as are those who believe him.

[Let's Roll]

I was not impressed with this guy’s first press conference when he miss-stated the number of victims and repeated it even after he was questioned again on the number.

Also, with the world still full of AHs looking for their 15 minutes, I hope Rep. Giffords has better security in the hospital than she had at her meet and greet.

[Pessimist]

Bingo!

Get ready for some “Giffords” gun bills.

[Jane Long]

Prayers up for Rep. Giffords. May she make a complete recovery and live a long, full and happy life.

[Gator113]

“As a physician I’m going to get into a lot of trouble for this..... “

I like the guy, but he should have stuck with the rules.

[Above My Pay Grade]

I agree. Great news! Thank God.

But, the doctor saying “100%” makes me more worried than if he said 99%. Nothing is 100%, especially, when you are in a hospital, where all types of complications can occur.

[Kimmers]

I really hope this is true.

This is ignorant of an MD to make this announcement. It is too early to predict any of this. She is still at risk of a blood clot, bleeding or infection...I pray she does well

[who knows what evil?]

I will be very interested to see her reaction to what has gone on these past few days...

[CholeraJoe]

She was also a key person in getting a severe trauma center located in Tucson.

The University of Arizona Medical Center has operated a major trauma center since before Giffords finished college. I lived in Tucson in the early 90's and worked there. You're drinking the Kool-aid from her campaign literature.

[longtermmemmory]

what is her husband doing?

(i am betting the obamacrats already have her political future line up. If not hers, then her husband as a backup.)

[jboot]

"But, the doctor saying “100%” makes me more worried than if he said 99%. Nothing is 100%, especially, when you are in a hospital, where all types of complications can occur."

Agreed. I don't know how any doctor can be so sure of the survival of a person when half of that person's head is in a freezer. But I pray that he's right.