Dear wkindel I called Mayo Clinic and referred myself for a second opinion after seeing the local neurosurgeon that my medical doctor referred me to. He was young and had only done a few surgeries like mine. I also had to wait a long time to see him as his waiting room was so full. I got in to see the doctors at Mayo in just a few weeks , only short waits to see them and my surgery was scheduled a few weeks later. When my husband drove me the 7 hours to Mayo in AZ I was treated so well. I was assigned 2 surgeons( a neurosurgeon and a ear, nose and throat surgeon) and they said they did surgeries like mine 4 times a week. They listened well and both agreed the tumor had to be removed right away as it was pressing on the brain stem. I am so glad I chose Mayo Clinic. I will never regret it!