Stroger's stroke more serious than thought...

I found this article in the Tribune, this was also linked in the Capital Fax Blog. So the question now is not whether County Board President John Stroger will lose, the question is now will he be able to perform his duties. Like I said I won't feel bad about it mainly because he's had a good run, but I would sincerely like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Doctors said there was likely to be some permanent damage from the stroke, but it was too soon to say how much. The stroke, which occurred early Tuesday, left Stroger weak on his left side and unable to walk.

“We feel this is a serious stroke, one that is going to have some effect on him,” said Dr. Michael Kelly, the neurologist treating Stroger at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, where Stroger remains in the intensive care unit.

Doctors this afternoon said they remained optimistic about Stroger’s recovery. But when asked whether he would be able to return to the demanding job of running county government, Kelly said it was too soon to say.

The county board president has a blockage in his brain, and swelling is affecting a large area of his brain, doctors said. The result, they say, could be long-term mental or physical impairment.

But the physicians emphasized Stroger was still being evaluated, and it was too soon to determine what the long-term effects would be. They said he was breathing on his own but was being fed through a tube.

Throughout his illness, Stroger has been able to speak with doctors and his family.