Rep. Gabrielle Giffords no longer needs a ventilator

[The Straight Story]

Doctors replace Giffords' breathing tube

TUCSON, Ariz. — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords no longer needs a ventilator after doctors replaced her breathing tube with a different one.

Hospital officials say that Giffords underwent a procedure Saturday morning to have a tracheotomy tube inserted in her windpipe to protect her airways, freeing her from the ventilator. She had been breathing on her own since she was shot in the head Jan. 8, but doctors had left the tube in as a precaution.

Doctors also inserted a feeding tube to provide nutrition. These procedures are not out of the ordinary for brain-injured patients.

Giffords, who was wounded in last weekend's attack that killed six people, remains in critical condition.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41092659

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Believe it or not, this IS progress.

The tracheostomy tube will leave a scar, but having that is much easier on the throat and the vocal cords.

I am thrilled to hear that she is doing so well!

Thank you, my dear Straight Story, for reporting this.

[onenote]

3. a very small, largely invisible scar in all likelihood

A close family member went from being on a ventilator to having a tracheostomy tube. After a while, they replaced the original tube with a smaller one and then eventually were able to remove it entirely. It healed up and you'd have to go looking for the scar to know it was there.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I hope that happens for her too...

I have a friend who underwent the same treatment, but I'm guessing without the smaller tube and his scar is easily seen. It's part of him, and doesn't bother me.

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

5. I have an old trache scar that's somewhat noticeable

If you look closely when I swallow, you can even see the old indentation. The scar doesn't bother me in the slightest, and I doubt that Rep. Giffords will care about hers, either.

:hi:

[DinahMoeHum]

7. Giffords should look at it as a badge of honor. . .

and a conversation piece.

:patriot:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear DinahMoeHum!

That's how my friend sees his: a badge of honor.

Nice to see you today!

:hi:

[sarge43]

9. A trach scar didn't slow down Elizabeth Taylor.

Congresswoman Gilfords won't even break step.

This is wonderful news. She's cleared a big hurtle.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

2. WHO RAY

[blondeatlast]

6. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. It's a lovely--heck, GORGEOUS day in Tucson.

It just got a little bit nicer, too. Here's hoping she gets to enjoy it very, very soon!

[LawnKorn]

10. K&R