In Canete’s case, since he is bilingual, he was asked questions first in English and then in Spanish, because while primary language is stored in the temporal lobe, where the tumor was growing, often a secondary language is stored in a different area.

Dr. Yusupov’s “mapping” determined that the tumor was, in fact, not yet encroaching on speech-critical areas for either language. “I believe I removed the tumor completely, and also preserved his speech function.”

Canete admits it was a very strange experience to know that, while he was speaking to these people and answering their questions, the top of his head was open and someone was poking around inside his brain. But he insists he felt no pain… in fact, he doesn’t remember feeling much of anything at all.

Looking back now, Canete said, he feels strongly that the doctor’s firm, patient confidence in what he was doing, and his willingness to explain every aspect of what was to happen, step by step, gave him the assurance and security to relax and make it through what would be a challenging experience for anyone.

Dr. Yusupov agrees. “It’s no easy thing, and not everyone can do it,” he said. “When I reflect on it, it’s really mind-boggling to imagine that people are able to go through something like this.”

Canete vows he never had a worry. He trusted the doctor, and he trusted John C. Lincoln Hospitals. Dr. Yusupov thinks there are many reasons for that.

John C. Lincoln neurosurgeon Igor Yusupov, MD, and his patient, Diosbel Canete, share a lighter moment after a postsurgical checkup

“It’s not just the surgeon,” he said. “John C. Lincoln Hospital is a sophisticated place with a high quality of skill and dedication. The facility, the mission of the hospital, the nursing care, the OR staff – all this talent works together. The surgeon is only a fraction of the patient’s experience.”

Canete said that in the first five days after his June 18 surgery, he struggled a bit with speaking and felt confused. He was given some anti-inflammatory pills to help bring down the normal post-surgical swelling in his brain and, very quickly, he was speaking normally.

He has some residual effect in that when he goes out on a bright, summer afternoon in Phoenix, he can experience a mild headache. But in every other way, he said, he’s feeling fine and speaking as well as ever.

“Dr. Yusupov said he is almost sure that nothing’s going to happen, so I believe it,” Canete declares. “But he also told me that it’s never guaranteed, so… in three months I will have another MRI and in six months another…”

Canete is driving again and feels that he his very fortunate to have been in such good hands. His wife, who was home with him the day he had that seizure back in January, naturally felt worried and apprehensive about the situation and the surgery. But she too, is feeling encouraged that the future looks bright.

Trust is a powerful thing. Trust between a doctor and patient is a necessary thing. For Diosbel Canete, the trust he was able to feel in Dr. Igor Yusupov and the people at John C. Lincoln Hospitals was absolutely critical. It may just have saved his life.

For more information about John C. Lincoln, visit www.jcl.com .