Doctors: Stroger not progressing as well as hoped

March 17, 2006 (WLS) -- The condition Cook County Board President John Stroger is not progressing as well as hoped from his stroke this week, according to doctors at Rush University Medical Center.

Stroger's doctors held a news conference Friday to update his condition. They said Stroger has a normal cat scan and his vial signs appear to be normal. He can communicate, but does not have good, functional use of his left side. His doctor said he has not made the progress they had hoped in that area.

He has slurred speech, but is able to ask and answer questions. He told his doctors he wants to go home, but that does not appear to be an option in the immediate future.

Doctors said that Stroger suffered a blockage of his right middle cerebral artery and there is not much they can do about that but wait and see.

"We feel that this is a serious stroke, one that's going to have some effect on him. But we'll see what that is over the days to come. We hope that he will regain more alertness, that he will gain some strength on that right side. But only time will tell," said Dr. Michael Kelly, Rush University neurologist.

Doctors said the condition could affect higher brain or cognitive functions. At this point, they cannot say if it will in Stroger's situation. Stroger, 76, will remain hospitalized. It is not clear how that will affect his political career.

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