Gabrielle Giffords' breathing tube might be removed Saturday

[PBS Poll-435]

Doctors in Tucson say that if they are able to remove Gabrielle Giffords' breathing tube, they'll be able to assess how well she is able to talk.

By Thomas H. Maugh II and Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times
January 14, 2011, 10:39 a.m.

Reporting from Los Angeles and Tucson — Physicians at University Medical Center may try to remove Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' breathing tube on Saturday, the next major hurdle in her recovery, Dr. Peter Rhee said Friday morning in Tucson.

Doing so will finally allow them to assess how well she is able to talk after being shot in the head last Saturday morning in the mass shooting outside a Safeway.

Her recovery continues to amaze the doctors who have been treating her.
During the week, Giffords has passed a number of milestones, including moving her hands and arms, opening her eyes, responding to commands, sitting up in bed and lifting her legs. The medical team stopped placing her in the medically induced coma on Thursday and planned to have her start sitting in a chair for brief periods on Friday.


more at http://www.latimes.com/health/la-na--arizona-shooting-medical-20110115,0,2454771.story

[treestar]

1. It is good news she can move both arms and legs

And she can understand. Hopefully she can still talk.

[PBS Poll-435]

5. We will all see soon. I am confident that she will speak. And soon.

nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. For those not medically trained

the tube goes down through the vocal cords.

The two yellow lines, that V, them are your vocal cords.

[kestrel91316]

8. I didn't think you could have an oral trach tube if you were awake at all,

because of the cough reflex. I assumed she had a temporary tracheostomy.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. I've inserted them

So yes you can. Not the most comfortable of things... but most likely she received this in the OR.

Usually in the field is patients who are not breathing, or have so extensive injuries that you use a paralytic agent to insert it and protect the airway.

From the field picture no, she did not have that done by medics in the field.

[kestrel91316]

11. And if they were using that curariform paralytic stuff to keep her from coughing

it out, she wouldn't be sitting up, giving thumbs, up, opening eyes, etc.

My guess is she has a tracheostomy.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. No she does not...

according to her doctor she has a tube.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. She is making a very remarkable recovery!

She won't be able to talk much till her sore throat goes away, but that will happen.

I'm thrilled to see her doing so well.

Recommended.

[PBS Poll-435]

7. Thanks Peggy

After just 1 week I can't imagine how her recovery could have been any more productive.

I can't wait to see her and hear her speak again.


:pals:

[Oceansaway]

4. wooooohoooooo !!...nt

[malaise]

6. Great news n/t

[shanti]

9. awesome!

you can do it, gabby!