Hi! Thank you for this information, it's very helpful. My endocrinologist has already begun the process of referral to a neurosurgeon & because I'm on an HMO, I have to go where they're networked. I was hoping to go to Sacramento, to UC Davis but i just found out i must go to Stanford, in Palo Alto, CA which is about 100 miles away from where I live! That's going to be quite an adventure to go there, in bay area traffic. I guess, if I want top notch health care, Stanford is a good choice. I will definitely discuss the issues you outlined with the neurosurgeon, when & if I get there (hopefully in one piece!).