After falling through the cracks and then getting caught in the web of a completely dysfunctional medical insurance system in California, nefariously designed to serve itself rather than the patient, Brain’s condition had worsened to the point where his body could no longer tolerate the combination of excruciating pain and counteractive prescribed drugs. For the first time in his life, his brain essentially began short-circuiting (for lack of a better term) and he started experiencing a series of grand mal seizures, which ironically was the reason that the Henry Mayo Hospital was able to recently take him in under full coverage (!)

Up until this point, Brian’s Orthopedic Surgeon all these years, Dr. Michael Shapiro’s hands had been tied by the neer-do-well insurance company and he was unable to perform the essential operations. Now though, through the grace of the admitting physician, Dr. Coco, and strong and compassionate management at Henry Mayo Hospital, the team decided to make the buck stop there, and have fought to keep Brian so he can finally get all the surgery and treatment he needs.

Yet none of this has happened without Workmen’s Comp still trying to get him out of the Hospital’s care and back on the seemingly less expensive drug therapy. Readers, there are some facts about Brian’s (and his longsuffering wife, Melody’s) experience through this whole ordeal that would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, make you want to take up arms against the sicko insurance system we’re all stuck with at this moment in history, or at the very least cry in bewilderment at how we’ve collectively allowed that industry to run roughshod (almost literally) over such good people in the greatest need.

But that is a worthy diatribe for another time. For now, let us rejoice in knowing that a kind, funny, sweet and very talented man is starting to get well at last. His doctors have even opined that Brian will be able to return to making the phenomenal music he and wife Melody were creating before (and for a while, during) this ten-year ordeal. Wish Shakespeare could be quoted here, “All’s well that ends well, “ but that wouldn’t be exactly true. Then again, the story isn’t over yet. Stay tuned!

(Photos of Brian and Radames Pera and Brian and Melody were taken during one of the Workmen’s Comp hearings in Van Nuys Court in February, ’08.)