Sen. Mark Kirk recovering from stroke
By MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA mihejrikia@suntimes.com January 23, 2012 7:14PM
Sen. Mark Kirk
Updated: March 24, 2012 2:01AM
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, had a stroke and underwent “successful” surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he is recovering.
After being stricken Saturday, Kirk, 52, who is divorced and lives in the Town of Fort Sheridan, drove himself to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, “where doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck,” his office said. The Illinois Republican was later transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, where tests showed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke, his staff said, and he underwent surgery to relieve swelling around his brain. That included temporarily removing a 4-inch by 8-inch section of his skull. Dr. Richard Fessler, the neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial who performed the surgery, said the senator suffered a stroke “to the right side of his brain. What that means is it will affect his ability to move his left arm and possibly his left leg.” It also could result in “some facial paralysis,” the surgeon said. He said it was fortunate that the stroke didn’t involve the left side of the brain, which could have affected the senator’s ability to speak and think. “We’re very hopeful ... he should be able to do very well,” Fessler said. He said the surgery took place Sunday night and involved “removing a part of his skull to relieve swelling.” Fessler wouldn’t say how long Kirk’s recovery might take or how soon he might be able to return to work. “We do not know what caused the stroke,” Fessler said. But he added, “Sen. Kirk is young, he was very healthy and in good shape, and he’s very strong. “Sen. Kirk’s job is cerebral, and I believe the functions required to do his job are going to be fine.”
Fessler said the section of Kirk’s skull was removed over the part of his brain that was starting to swell, “and that allowed the brain to swell without causing any further damage.” Kirk remained in intensive care Monday. A carotid artery dissection involves a tear in the carotid artery on the right side of the neck. The carotid arteries carry blood to the brain. Republicans and Democrats alike offered Kirk their best wishes for his recovery. “I am extremely distressed by the news that my friend Mark Kirk is hospitalized for emergency medical treatment,” GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said in a statement. “ I wish him a speedy recovery and a swift return to the U.S. Senate chamber, so he can continue his important work for the people of Illinois and all th
Gov. Pat Quinn said: “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the senator and his family as we wish him a swift and strong recovery. We can all take comfort knowing that as a Navy commander, Sen. Kirk knows how to fight and he will fight through this to return to his work on behalf of the people of Illinois as quickly as possible.” Congressman Bob Dold, R-Kenilworth, who succeeded Kirk in the 10th District, said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Kirk and his family today.”
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