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GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Has Surgery After Suffering Stroke — May Lose Use of Left Arm

Jan. 23, 2012 12:19pm Jonathon M. Seidl

Illinois Senator Mark Kirk Has Stroke, Surgery

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk. (AP)

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) suffered a stroke over the weekend and had to have surgery to relieve swelling in the brain, the Chicago Tribune reports.

“On Saturday, Senator Kirk checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital, where doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck,” his office said in a statement.

“He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where further tests revealed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke,” it added. “Early this morning, the senator underwent surgery to relieve swelling around his brain stemming from the stroke. The surgery was successful.”

In an update delivered by doctors Monday afternoon, doctors said Kirk may lose control of his left arm:

Richard Fessler, a neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, told reporters at a news conference Monday afternoon that the physical effects of Kirk’s stroke could be long-lasting.

“I think his prospects for a full mental recovery are pretty good,” Fessler said of Kirk. “I think the prospects for his full physical recovery, particularly on the left side of his body, are not great. . . . I think the use of his left arm is going to be very difficult. I’m hopeful for the use of his left leg.”

Kirk may be best known for becoming the senator who filled Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. He defeated Democrat Alexi Giannoulias after then-Governor Rod Blagojevich was caught trying to sell the seat.

This is a breaking story. Updates will be added.

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Comments (33)

peaches1
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:48pm
Prayers being said.

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LOJ
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:42pm
We are so upset about this, he has really been a good senator and keeps in touch with his Constituents, asks us what we think and what we want…Sure hope he gets good care and is able to recoupe his functions. May God heal you Senator Kirk!

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TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:15pm
Strength and complete healing in Jesus Name, Senator Kirk.

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academica2020
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:24pm
Hey, juvenile retards who find it perfectly acceptable to act like ninth graders whenever this stuff happens, have a freaking conscience! Oh, that’s right, you are nameless and faceless and aren’t accountable for what you say…

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Vickie Dhaene
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:13pm
Triumph. (oops)

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Vickie Dhaene
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:11pm
Prayers go out to the Senator and asking God to give his family the strength to triump.

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Jim in Houston
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:03pm
A good thing he is a senator or under Obama Care he would probably only get “Comfort care” and not neurosurgery. Check this site out:
http://www.therightscoop.com/shock-brain-surgeon-confirms-obamacare-rations-care-has-death-panels/

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- Mperiod
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:50pm
  http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/neurosurgery.asp
  
  How are you people still this ignorant about health care reform?
  
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- Dr. Joel Fleischman
  Posted on January 24, 2012 at 11:49am
  Snopes… lol
  
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whatthecrazy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:03pm
Can anybody tell me the name of ONE person left or right that has voted in a way that completely satisfies thier base, just one…………………..and i mean all votes.

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- chips1
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:44pm
  Gomer Pyle!!!
  
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Sharon Rose
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:57pm
Prayers for a full and speedy recovery, God bless~~

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SheriS
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:26pm
I hope all the Blaze posters will keep Sen. Kirk in your prayers! To be elected in the extreme liberal city and area has been unheard of, but the Senator did it to a lot of peoples’ amazement. He is a good guy and unfortuantely from what I heard this is extreme serious and time will tell! I used to live in that area which is so liberal as represented by the President–Kirk I believe is from the North side of the city! Please keep him in your prayers!

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- Mperiod
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:53pm
  How is it unheard of – the Senator before Obama was a Republican. I live in IL, didn’t vote for Kirk, honestly mostly because I didn’t want the GOP to control the Senate. Kirk is pretty much a Democrat with a R next to his name – if he doesn’t return to congress, Democrats will more than likely just retake the seat.
  
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- Dr. Joel Fleischman
  Posted on January 24, 2012 at 11:51am
  So… how’s that one man wrecking crew known as Quinn treating you?
  
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Joshua7
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:10pm
He is in my prayers.

(Partly because I live in Illinois and I don’t want Gov. Pat Quinn picking his replacement)

Get well soon Sen. Kirk, please!

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Rockyracoon
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:09pm
Please stop making jokes about a Unite States Senator having a stroke. You can disagree with his politics, but has served this country in the Navy and in both houses of Congress. Pray for Senator Kirk

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- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:53pm
  Agreed/I will.
  
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00gabooga
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:38pm
Need to watch him closely. If he suffered any brain damage he might start voting liberal.

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- Joshua7
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:03pm
  LOL!
  
  Where is the like button?
  
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- IntegrityFirst
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:19pm
  He already does that (vote liberal). He is a RINO. He may occassionally vote conservative on gun and financial issues, but he is a social liberal on every other issue… namely… Cap N Tax.
  
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- civilman43
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:10pm
  Too late he might be pre brain damaged he voted yes on the 2012 NDAA bill.
  
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justangry
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:36pm
That was God’s way of telling him he should NOT have voted for the NDAA. Here’s hoping for a staff infection!

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- rush_is_right
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:48pm
  get some professional help
  
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- SheriS
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Sorry to say this but you and your comment are just plain revolting and disgusting—must be a liberal nutcase out of Chicago! You people are the reason I live in Virginia and not in Illinois where I was born! Chicago Liberals are the worst and they gave us the worst President in my lifetime!
  
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- justangry
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:08pm
  OK Fine. I hope he gets better, then stands trial for treason for voting for the NDAA. Better?
  
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- LICENSEDTOCARRY
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:24pm
  Go back under your rock
  
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- justangry
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:37pm
  So you’re defending the NDAA?
  
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goodgrubguy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:35pm
His head actually exploded after seeing what a cluster f$#k Chicago is…. I say all the time that I may have an anurism if I have to listen to O but I didn’t think it would actually happen.

But seriously, my prayers do go out to him.

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fertlmind
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:29pm
This is what I call a ‘no brainer’
He should retain his senate seat for AT LEAST as long as Rep. Gabrielle Giffords did no matter WHAT his condition.
That will put us well past the next election cycle.
The liberals in IL will be itching to steal his seat in a dirty election where micky mouse, hitler, the dead and felons get to vote without showing id at the polls.
You gotta know the libs in Chicago want his seat and will be pressuring him to step down.
I wish you the best of health Senator!

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:27pm
.
It’s Obama’s Fault.

I damn near have a Stroke everytime I see that Idiot, or hear his voice on TV…….

Get Well Soon Sen. Mark……….

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- OhSuzieQ
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:03pm
  Here I thought I was the only one it happens too, SpankDaMonkey
  
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- LOJ
  Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:44pm
  We the people are stressed, can you imagine how the Senators and Congressman who want to get something done for the country feel about Obama’s total failures and actually hindering the ability of both houses to get anything done…
  
  Report this comment

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