Kirk's Family “Overwhelmed” by Support

Sen. Mark Kirk's family said Tuesday they're "overwhelmed" by the support they've received in the wake the Republican's weekend stroke.

"We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we've received over the last couple of days -- from President Obama, Leader McConnell, Senator Durbin, Governor Quinn, Mayor Emanuel, the Illinois delegation and so many others across the state, the nation and beyond," he family said in a written statement. "Words cannot describe how much Joe Manchin's friendship and support means to us and especially to Mark.  We are truly blessed to have such amazing family and friends."

Earlier in the day, Dr. Richard Fessler said Kirk was recovering "very well," mentally, though he does have some facial paralysis.

He joked that Kirk even asked doctors for his Blackberry and iPad. Still, there's a long road ahead for the junior senator from Illinois.

Kirk suffered an ischemic stroke over the weekend, and swelling Sunday night forced doctors to take the 52-year-old senator into surgery to remove a four-inch-by-eight-inch portion of his skull.

At the president's State of the Union Address, one seat remained empty in a gesture of Congressional support.

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