It’s blood donation time again for all of us who started giving after Gabby Gifford’s shooting. I’ll be giving this morning, and I hope some of you can find the time to do it.
Speaking of Gabby, she’s had a busy week. On Monday, she saw her husband pilot Endeavour into space. On Wednesday, she had her skull repaired with a ceramic plate and a shunt implanted. Surgery went well, and she’s making good progress in rehab:
Giffords is talking, can understand complicated concepts and is able to recognize subtleties in conversation, including sarcastic humor, Carusone said. She understands when people speak to her in Spanish, Carusone said. Giffords was bilingual before the shooting. Giffords’ voice is the same as it was before the shooting, her staff says.
“She understands, if not everything, close to everything,” Carusone said. “For people who know her, she’s a very determined person.”
She’s still having trouble speaking, and with strength her right side, but all in all, it’s a great recovery so far.
Ivan Ivanovich Renko
Hot diggity damn, you go, Gabby!! That’s just awesome news to start my day with!
Southern Beale
I hope her shunt is temporary.
My mother had a shunt implanted in her brain. I know doctors do that all the time but they make me nervous. They’re a point of infection, which is what happened to my mom’s shunt, and which eventually killed her. And any little thing can provoke an infection: a manicure, a dental cleaning, etc.
mickey g
Remember, when they tell you to replenish your fluids, they don’t mean for you to drink a case of Rolling Rocks.
JCT
I’ve been a doc for 20 years in a field with high morbidity and mortality and Gifford’s recovery is truly one of the most stunning I have ever seen.
From a starting point of >92% headshot mortality to near full comprehension in two languages is just wild.
keestadoll
I see no reason to doubt that with the progress she’s made thus far (one year kids–it’s incredible progress!!)she should have a full recovery within the next year or two. The universe seems to have her back. Go Gabby!
DonBoy
I like how the story makes sure we understand that being shot didn’t cause her to understand Spanish.
Origuy
I donated blood last week. That was the first time they told me no alcohol for 24 hours. In college, that was one of the reasons to donate; you were a cheaper drunk. Although the beer we drank then was already pretty cheap.
bryanD
Isn’t “Gabby” the exploiter’s name for Gabrielle Giffords?
blackfrancis
This brought a huge smile to my face. Thanks for that.
moe99
I was at the 3 gallon donation point when I was diagnosed with lung cancer in late 2009. Now I can no longer donate, and will probably at some point need to rely on donors. So thanks to all of you who can and do donate.
Ozymandias, King of Ants
@DonBoy: Speaking from experience,after a brain injury people tend to loose all of their speaking/comprehension/reading knowledge of all their acquired languages.
Michael D.
Can’t donate. Officially. Gay.
Tamarind
@Michael D.: Me too. You think they might change the rules when DADT is finally ended?
I have had sex with another man since 1979 (I was born in 1983), but I have not had sex in exchange for money or drugs in that time.
hoosierspud
Bless all the blood donors (1 gallon + myself). 10% of the population donates for the other 90%.
I have worked in a medical laboratory and have answered the call when the techs from Blood Bank come around asking for A+ due to a shortage or emergency.
ellid
A+ CMV- apharesis donor for about a year now. My platelets go straight to the local trauma center, where they save lives on a regular basis.
Everyone who’s healthy should give blood. It takes so little time and does so much good.