HOUSTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is experiencing fluid buildup in her brain that one of her doctors says must be brought down before she can move to rehabilitation.
The 40-year-old Arizona Democrat, who was shot in the head Jan. 8, is being cared for in a Houston hospital where she was transferred Friday.
Dr. John Holcomb, a trauma surgeon who is vice chairman of surgery at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, said Saturday Giffords' physicians must decide whether a temporary catheter draining the fluid can be taken out so she can be transferred to The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research, or if a permanent shunt must be inserted.
"No one expects her to go rapidly to TIRR," Holcomb told the Houston Chronicle. "We just have to wait and see if the fluid buildup issue resolves itself."
He said the buildup had eased some Saturday and didn't appear to be infected, the newspaper said.
He said Giffords was somewhat more alert and responsive Saturday.
Dr. Gerald Francisco, TIRR's chief medical officer, said Giffords
therapy Saturday included sitting, standing and moving in bed.
The congresswoman was transferred from a hospital in Tucson, Ariz., where she had been treated since being shot along with 18 other people. Six of the victims died.
