Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) has a �101 percent” chance of surviving, her doctor said Tuesday following a news conference at which it was announced that the lawmaker is now capable of breathing on her own.

Giffords, who remained in critical condition Tuesday, has �a 101 percent� chance of surviving, Dr. Peter Rhee, Chief of Trauma at the University of Arizona Medical Center, said.

Despite Rhee�s optimistic outlook for Giffords� recovery, he was unable to tell reporters whether or not the congresswoman would be in a vegetative state.

�I can�t tell you whether she�s going to be in a vegetative state,� Rhee said. �I hope that she�s not and I don�t think she will be in a vegetative state. I know that she�s not going to die.”

Giffords had begun breathing on her own, but doctors opted to keep her hooked up to a ventilator to prevent complications such as pneumonia, from developing, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Lemole said.

�I�m happy to say that she�s holding her own,� Lemole said. �We’ve been able to back off on some of that sedation and in fact she’s able to generate her own breaths; she’s breathing on her own.�

Lemole said that he was �encouraged� by Giffords� progress, emphasizing the severity of her injury.

�She has no right to look this good, but she does,� he said.

Giffords remained in the hospital�s intensive care unit after she was shot in the head by 22-year-old gunman Jared Lee Loughner as she met with her constituents at a political event Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

Five other victims remained hospitalized Tuesday. Of those, three patients were in serious condition while two were listed in fair condition.

(Source: NY Post / Newscore)