Scammer
Banned
[video]http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2011/01/19/bts.rhee.giffords.recovery.KVOA[/video]
-- The next phase of recovery for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is likely to begin later this week when she will be transported to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston.
A Thursday news conference will provide an update on her condition. It will include her husband and her doctors.
"At the briefing, Congresswoman Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, will read from a prepared statement to provide details on her condition and the next steps in her treatment plan," a release from University Medical Center said.
In an e-mail sent to friends and family members Tuesday and obtained by CNN, Giffords' mother, Gloria, wrote that her daughter will be moved from Tucson's University Medical Center to rehabilitation facilities in Houston on Friday.
"There is a team of medical specialists involved ... including military surgeons who specialize in bullet wounds to the head," the e-mail says. "They want to start aggressive rehab immediately."
Giffords' office confirmed the move and said that while the move is expected to be Friday, "the exact day of the move will depend on the congresswoman's health."
Separately, Giffords' office said it will donate hundreds of stuffed animals sent to the congresswoman as get-well wishes. About 300-400 of them will be given to Diamond Children's Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center and Casa de los Ninos on Thursday.
Giffords was able to stand with assistance on Wednesday, an aide said, with her doctor adding that the congresswoman has the strength to stand on her own.
"Today, we were getting her out of bed again and we were able to stand with assistance," Dr. Peter Rhee, Tucson's University Medical Center's trauma chief, told CNN affiliate KVOA. "She's got the strength to stand on her own, lift her head up and these ... I see improvements every single day."
Also Wednesday, a federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Jared Lee Loughner on three charges of attempted murder.
Loughner, 22, was charged with attempting to kill Giffords and two of her aides, Ron Barber and Pamela Simon. Giffords was shot in the head.
"We are in the early stages of this ongoing investigation," said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke in a statement about the charges.
"This case also involves potential death-penalty charges, and (Justice) Department rules require us to pursue a deliberate and thorough process," the statement went on. "Today's charges are just the beginning of our legal action."
Federal law requires the U.S. to bring charges against of a defendant within 30 days of arrest.
Legal experts said that more federal charges against Loughner are likely.
"This is really a placeholder indictment," CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said Wednesday. "The grand jury investigation will continue, there's a long way to go in these case and these charges will be there but I'm certain there will be more as well."
Loughner is set to appear in court on Monday in Phoenix.
In addition to standing Wednesday, Giffords' doctor said she was put in a chair and was able to look out a window.
"We went to a window and so she could see the mountains of Tucson," Rhee said. "There's no doubt in my mind that lifted up her spirits."
Giffords was hosting a constituents' meeting outside a supermarket in Tucson when a gunman opened fire. Six people, including a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl, were killed and 13 others wounded.
Her family chose TIRR Memorial Hermann rehabilitation hospital in Houston, part of the Texas Medical Center, because of its reputation, one of her doctors said.
Kelly said that Memorial Hermann's proximity to Tucson was another factor in the decision.
"I am extremely hopeful at the signs of recovery that my wife has made since the shooting," he said. "The team of doctors and nurses at UMC has stabilized her to the point of being ready to move to the rehabilitation phase. Their goal -- and our goal -- has been to provide Gabby with the best care possible."