Doctors treating Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords updated the media on the congresswoman's condition this morning and say she's making tremendous progress, given the circumstances.
Doctor Peter Rhee confirmed what President Barack Obama told the world last night: Giffords opened her eyes on her own as some of her colleagues and friends visited her in the hospital yesterday.
Doctors say Giffords opened her eyes once over the weekend, as well, but
it was caused by forced stimulation. When she opened them yesterday, it
was under her own power.
Those treating Giffords attribute her opening her eyes yesterday to the
unexpected stimulation caused by hearing the voices of so many people
she knows.
The fact that Giffords is able to open her eyes, doctors say, indicates
that her brain's arousal center, which controls a person's ability to
awake from sleep, is functioning, which is a very good sign.
In addition to opening her eyes briefly yesterday, doctors say the
congresswoman is moving all of her limbs, yawning, rubbing her eyes,
which she opened again this morning for about 15 minutes.
Rhee described Giffords' vision as being similar to a person's when they just wake.
Doctors describe Giffords' progress as "a major leap, a major milestone for her."
The next step going forward, doctors say, is removing her breathing
tube. Doctors are discussing when to attempt that "major milestone."
