Sen. Kirk speaking, asking for phone after stroke (AP)

CHICAGO ? Sen. Mark Kirk was doing better than expected after suffering a stroke and undergoing emergency surgery, his neurosurgeon said Tuesday, noting the Illinois Republican was answering questions and even asking for his Blackberry.

Dr. Richard Fessler, who performed surgery on Kirk at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said the 52-year-old "is doing very well."

"Everything is where we want it to be," Fessler said.

Kirk's stroke over the weekend affected his left side, particularly movement of his left arm. Surgeons removed a piece of his skull Sunday to alleviate pressure from swelling and Kirk remained in intensive care. Doctors have said he may not ever fully regain movement, but he was expected to make a full mental recovery.

Fessler said Tuesday that Kirk, who is right handed, was able to move his left side "very little." Kirk was speaking with a slight slur and has some facial paralysis, which doctors hope will be addressed with rehabilitation.

Doctors were able to remove a breathing tube and allow the senator to breathe on his own and Kirk appeared very aware of his surroundings and what had happened to him, Fessler said.

"He asked for his Blackberry yesterday so he's ready to go back to work," Fessler said. However, doctors did not give it to him, he added.

Fessler said Kirk will remain in intensive care for four to five days while swelling subsides. After that, they'll set a date to put back the 4-by-8-inch piece of Kirk's skull that was removed.

The senator likely will then need weeks and maybe months of inpatient physical rehabilitation. Doctors said it was too early to tell how long rehab would take.

Tests showed Kirk had a tear in the carotid artery on the right side of his neck, but Fessler said Tuesday the cause of the stroke is unknown and may never be clear. He said diet and stress did not appear to be behind Kirk's stroke.

"His lifestyle is the life style of a normal healthy person who works out and eats a reasonable diet," Fessler said.

Kirk, who won Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat for the Republican Party in 2010, is a Naval reserve commander who has to pass physicals each year.

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Sophia Tareen can be reached at http://twitter.com/sophiatareen

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/personaltech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120124/ap_on_re_us/us_kirk_stroke

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