GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Has Surgery After Suffering Stroke — May Lose Use of Left Arm
- Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:19pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
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.
Comments (33)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 692 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 493 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 375 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 343 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 330 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 315 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 330 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 239 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 315 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
peaches1
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:48pmPrayers being said.
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:42pmWe 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!
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:15pmStrength and complete healing in Jesus Name, Senator Kirk.
Report Post »academica2020
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:24pmHey, 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…
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:13pmTriumph. (oops)
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:11pmPrayers go out to the Senator and asking God to give his family the strength to triump.
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:03pmA good thing he is a senator or under Obama Care he would probably only get “Comfort care” and not neurosurgery. Check this site out:
Report Post »http://www.therightscoop.com/shock-brain-surgeon-confirms-obamacare-rations-care-has-death-panels/
Mperiod
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:50pmhttp://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/neurosurgery.asp
How are you people still this ignorant about health care reform?
Report Post »Dr. Joel Fleischman
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 11:49amSnopes… lol
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:03pmCan 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.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:44pmGomer Pyle!!!
Report Post »Sharon Rose
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:57pmPrayers for a full and speedy recovery, God bless~~
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:26pmI 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!
Report Post »Mperiod
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:53pmHow 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.
Report Post »Dr. Joel Fleischman
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 11:51amSo… how’s that one man wrecking crew known as Quinn treating you?
Report Post »Joshua7
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:10pmHe 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!
Report Post »Rockyracoon
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:09pmPlease 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
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:53pmAgreed/I will.
Report Post »00gabooga
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:38pmNeed to watch him closely. If he suffered any brain damage he might start voting liberal.
Report Post »Joshua7
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:03pmLOL!
Where is the like button?
Report Post »IntegrityFirst
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 1:19pmHe 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.
Report Post »civilman43
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:10pmToo late he might be pre brain damaged he voted yes on the 2012 NDAA bill.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:36pmThat was God’s way of telling him he should NOT have voted for the NDAA. Here’s hoping for a staff infection!
Report Post »rush_is_right
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:48pmget some professional help
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:44pmSorry 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!
Report Post »justangry
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:08pmOK Fine. I hope he gets better, then stands trial for treason for voting for the NDAA. Better?
Report Post »LICENSEDTOCARRY
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:24pmGo back under your rock
Report Post »justangry
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:37pmSo you’re defending the NDAA?
Report Post »goodgrubguy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:35pmHis 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.
Report Post »fertlmind
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 12:29pmThis is what I call a ‘no brainer’
Report Post »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!
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……….
Report Post »OhSuzieQ
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:03pmHere I thought I was the only one it happens too, SpankDaMonkey
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:44pmWe 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 Post »