Maryanne, I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend and my condolences to her family.
As for this story, I can relate. Mike's story was similar. The first time he was diagnosed, it was early stage and his right lung was removed, but 3 years later when symptoms presented themselves.. the doctor kept treating him for sinus congestion etc.. and when he made repeated visits, she decided he was depressed and gave him an antidepressant. It was bizarre... I told him at the time, that I lacked confidence in her and if he was depressed it was because he was ill. Anyhow, the upshot was after months of the wrong diagnosis, he found out he had a recurrence and was stage IV... and after a two year battle , I lost him . I guess I will always wonder why she didn't send him for a scan , especially knowing he had already lost a lung to cancer. Just an added note, his didn't show up on his xrays. It was in the bronchial stump and showed on scan. Wish I had found this site back at the time he was going through that. Perhaps a lesson can be learned and someone who is reading and going through similar circumstances will be very assertive and demand a scan before it's too late.
Again, Maryanne, I feel much empathy and sympathy for you and your friend's family and friends.
Hugs,
Sue