Donna,

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like Smitty was a wonderful person. You have my deepest sympathy. And you are right. We all do need to take a proactive role in our health care. It is so sad that we need to learn this lesson the hard way. We were told that Heather's original CT scan didn't show anything. When I got her records later, though, I read the report and it said there was a "shadow", but it was deemed to be of no concern. In her case, it didn't matter because she was diagnosed right away from another symptom, but it does show that we must not rely on one doctor or one test. Always, always get another opinion, ask more questions or whatever it takes to get to the truth. It is so good of you to think of others in your time of need and offer this advice. Thank you.

Take care,
Rosie