Giffords's husband 'extremely hopeful' of recovery

The husband of Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was shotthis month while hosting a political event,says he is"extremely hopeful"thathis wifewill make a full recovery.

Mark Kellytold reporters at University Medical Center in Tucsonon Thursday that hiswife is a fighter and he believesshe'll be back at work soon.

"I know one of the first things Gabby's going to want to do as soon as she's able to is start writing thank-you notes, and I've already reminded her of that," he said.

Giffords, 40,a Democrat in the House of Representatives, was shot in the head Jan. 8 while at a meet-and-greet outside a grocery store in Tucson. Six people were killed and 13 wounded in the attack.

The congresswoman reached a milestone in her recovery Wednesday when she stood, with help,for the first time.

The outpouring of grief and support from thepeople ofTucson has shownthe world whatthe communityis truly about, her husbandsaid.

Kelly, a NASAastronaut, said he has chosen theTIRR Memorial Hermann Institutein Houston, where he lives and works,for herrehabbecause it is a world-class facility that will allow him to stay by her side as much as possible.

"I'm extremely hopeful that Gabrielle is going to make a full recovery," Kelly said.

"She's scrolling through an iPad," said Dr. Michael Lemole, chief of neurology, who heads her care team in Tucson. "These are all fantastic advancements forward. They do indicate higher cognitive function."

The medical teamis unsure about whether she is mouthing words, and they do not know how much Giffordscan see.

It is possible, given the bullet's path, that the congresswoman'sspeech was affected.Doctors can say nothing definitive and warn that there's a long road ahead to recovery.

Doctors hope to transfer Giffordsto Houstonon Friday to begin extensivetherapy, both cognitive and physical.

"She's going to have to relearn how to think, plan, organize," said Dr. Reid Thompson, neurosurgery chief at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Thompson was not involved in Giffords' care and based his comments on diagrams and reports of her injury that have been made public.