Sen. Mark Kirk’s (R-Highland Park) condition has  been upgraded to fair from serious but stable today at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to Dr. Richard Fessler, the neurosurgeon who has been treating him. 

“Senator Kirk’s recovery is continuing,” Fessler said. “He is alert, talking and responding well to questions. He has been upgraded to fair condition and we are very pleased with his progress.” 

• Earlier: Kirk’s Friend Brings Him Work 

Since having the stroke Jan. 21, Kirk has undergone two operations to relieve swelling in his brain. The swelling stabilized Friday. Both surgeries were successful and Fessler has been pleased with the continual progress. 

Doctors performed the first operation Jan. 22 when they removed a four by eight inch piece of Kirk’s skull to relieve swelling in his brain, according to statements from the Senator’s office. On Wednesday, dead tissue was removed from Kirk’s brain to accommodate the swelling, according to Fessler.

Over the weekend, Kirk received a visit from his best friend in the Senate, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who brought Kirk cards from his colleagues, magazines and some work to do, according to a statement from the Senator’s office.

Kirk checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital Jan. 21, where doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck, according to a release issued Monday by Kirk’s office. He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where further tests revealed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke.