Laverne Wilkinson isn't dead yet, but she has been given six months to live. Laverne has lung cancer and she went to the emergency room two years ago with chest pains. The radiologist saw the mass on Laverne's lung but no one ever told her until it was too late to save her. (NY Daily New article) She even went to her clinic complaining of a chronic cough during the past two years.
We put far too much faith in doctors. They are not infallible. A tragedy like Laverne's should have never happened, particularly in this country, but it did. It just isn't right that a 41 year old non-smoker is dying of lung cancer because someone didn't talk to her and tell her something wasn't quite right.
Question your doctors. Ask if there are any other tests that can be done. Ask if medical test results have been forwarded. Don't take anything for granted, particularly if you go to the emergency room. (Personally, in an emergency room I was told I sprained my arm when I had actually broken it) You get one body and it matters more to you that it stays alive than a doctor who sees dozens of bodies a day.