Dr. Linda Liau

The day before my biopsy, Pastor Paul came by for a visit. He told me that Lynn Morgan - a member of the church - had undergone brain surgery several years ago, and her doctor had recommended Donald Becker of UCLA as the best of the best. "If I was going to have someone operate on my brain, Dr. Becker is the guy I'd want to do it," her doctor had said.

I called Lynn later that day and she was very encouraging. Though her tumor was not cancerous, her surgery went very well - no complications at all. "I know that Dr. Becker has changed his practice, and he may no longer do this kind of surgery, but his office will be able to advise you about the best of his collegues."

When I called Dr. Becker's office, the assistant confirmed that Dr. Becker had, indeed, changed his focus, becoming an academic dean, but she referred me to Dr. Linda Liau. Dr. Liau has been featured on the cable Med networks, and her speciality is aggressive tumors in the exact location mine is located. Her assistant tells me that she does a technique offered only at UCLA where they wake you up during surgery so the doctor can ask questions and determine exactly how far she can go without doing unnecessary damage. Of course, I don't know if I'm a candidate for such a procedure, but I'm hopeful.

I'm scheduled to see her Wednesday, June 13 at 2pm. Please pray that she will be able to do the surgery, that side-effects will be minimal, and that I will be able to tolerate the chemo and radiation treatments that will inevitably follow.