J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, recovering from a traumatic gunshot wound to the head, has given the thumbs up sign to her doctors and tried several times to grab her breathing tube, medical staff treating her reported on Monday. "When she did that, we were having a party in there," said Dr. Peter Rhee, the Arizona surgeon who is treating Giffords. "That's a purposeful movement. That's a great thing. She's always grabbing for the tube," Rhee continued. Brain swelling, which is a serious concern in cases like Giffords, typically peaks three days after the initial wound. Doctors, then, can breathe easier on Tuesday once Giffords reaches that milestone. Giffords is still listed in critical condition, the only victim of Saturday’s shooting still in that state. Six others were killed; five remain in serious condition; and two are in good condition.