Sen. Kirk recovering 'more rapidly'

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is recovering "more rapidly" from a stroke he suffered over the weekend, a doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago said Friday. 

"Sen. Kirk is doing quite well this morning. He is alert, responding more rapidly to questions and the swelling in his brain has stabilized," neurosurgeon Richard Fessler said in a Friday statement. "While he remains in serious but stable condition, we are pleased with his continued progress."  

Kirk, 52, suffered a stroke on Saturday and has been recovering ever since. On Wednesday he underwent an additional surgery to further relieve pressure on his brain as a result of the stroke. 

Earlier this week Fessler said that Kirk would likely have some impaired motor functions on the left side of his body but mentally would be fine. He said that Kirk's recovery would come in a matter of weeks or months.

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