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By Kent Larsen
Mormon Writer and Academic Eugene England has Surgery for Brain Tumor
PROVO, UTAH -- Well-known Mormon writer and academic Eugene England was
hospitalized following surgery yesterday to remove two golf-ball sized cysts
from behind his eye and a portion of a brain tumor in the right front lobe
of his brain. England is a writer in residence at Utah Valley State College
and a retired BYU professor best known for his books "Dialogues with Myself"
and "Why the Church Is as True as the Gospel," and for co-founding the
academic journal "Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought."
According to family friends, England had suffered from blinding headaches
and a general emotional and physical decline for some time. On Tuesday
evening, his brain began hemmorrhaging and he became paralyzed on his left
side. Doctors at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah operated
for several hours Wednesday morning, removing the cysts and a portion of a
tumor, which also required removing the right front lobe of his brain.
Doctors will determine if further surgery is necessary following lab results
due Friday.
Family and friends are encouraged by his recovery so far. As of this
morning, he is showing the normal signs of recovery from a stroke, including
slurred speech and paralysis in some parts of his body. However, England is
reported to be conscious and coherent enough to ask questions and even joke
about his slurred speech, according to a report from BYU professor Gideon
Burton. Utah Valley State College president Kerry D. Romesburg also
indicated that he was encouraged by England's recovery so far. But,
according to Burton, one major concern is that the area of the brain removed
controls personality.
News of England's disability was first reported yesterday in a message from
Burton to the on-line Mormon literature discussion list AML, in which Burton
asked for prayers in England's behalf.
After joining Utah Valley State College as a writer-in-residence in 1998,
England convinced the college to last year establish the first formal
academic program in Mormon Studies at the college, the Center for the Study
of Mormon Culture. He has also been involved recently in the college's study
abroad programs and is teaching classes at the college currently.
See also:
Eugene England biography, Mormon Literature Website
The Battle for England: LDS writer's journey traces his struggle between church and cultural criticism
UVSC To Study Mormons; College to pioneer LDS cultural program
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