Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk recovering after stroke

[January 24, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., was in intensive care Monday after undergoing surgery to relieve swelling on his brain from a stroke that doctors said probably would make it "very difficult" for him to regain movement in his left arm and could result in facial paralysis.

But Dr. Richard Fessler, the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery Sunday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said Kirk's chances for a full mental recovery are good. Doctors said he appears to recognize those around him and is responding to commands, though it was unclear how long his recovery could take or whether full movement would be restored.

Kirk, 52, had reported feeling dizzy over the weekend. Tests showed he had a tear in the carotid artery on the right side of his neck and had suffered a stroke.

Carotid arteries carry blood to the brain and carotid tears are a common cause of strokes in people in their 50s or younger.

Fessler could not say when Kirk would be able to return to work. "Sen. Kirk's job is cerebral, and I believe the functions required to do his job are going to be fine," he said.

Kirk was elected to the Senate in 2010, winning the seat formerly held by President Obama.

[Associated Press]

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