Misdiagnosed
Going through stage 3 breast cancer in 2006 was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. But it didn’t end there. In 2010, I faced a stage 4 recurrence. I was too sick from complications of radiation therapy and a staph infection to do chemotherapy. The doctors at UCLA told me to get my affairs in order because they believed I only had months to live.
Hearing those words felt like my world was collapsing. Fear and uncertainty consumed me, and I couldn’t fathom how my life could change so drastically. But even in the darkest moments, a small voice inside me refused to accept this fate. I couldn’t abandon hope, not when I had my whole life ahead of me. With the unwavering support of my friends, we raised enough money for me to go to CMN Hospital in Mexico for advanced alternative cancer treatment. And it worked. I was declared cancer-free. The relief was indescribable, showing me the power of hope, determination, and the love and support of those around me.
A Second Attempt to Share My Truth: Not to Alarm, But to Empower
Today, after years of waiting to make another attempt to be transparent and open to share a part of my story that I’ve hesitated to tell in full. While this is not my first attempt, I previously shared this information back in 2018 with a very large cancer support group because it crossed my mind so many times. What if I had not sought a second opinion. My intent is not to scare anyone or cast doubt on the capabilities of medical professionals—among whom are two oncologists in my husband’s family whom I deeply respect and love. Rather, my goal is to bring hope and to affirm the importance of trusting one's instincts, especially in the medical world where not everything is as clear as it might seem. How can I keep this to myself? I had shared it with a cery large group of women in a breast cancer support group and the feedback was a shock to me. Certainly not because of my character these women did not know me. However they doubted what I wrote in sharing my story and it scared me away from ever talking about it again with strangers.
My Encounter with Misdiagnosis
Imagine being told you’re facing a potentially fatal recurrence of cancer, only to find out that the diagnosis was completely wrong. That was what happened to me at Loma Linda, where I was incorrectly diagnosed with advanced metastatic breast cancer—a diagnosis that could have led me into unnecessary and harmful treatments. Thankfully, it was a mistake.
After sharing with the physicians at Loma Linda that I had successfully healed from stage 4 breast cancer with alternative treatments in Mexico in 2011 the doctors at Loma Linda were skeptical and open about not believing that CMN Hospital healed me outside conventional methods, and treated my choice with suspicion. That was embarrassing to say the least while I was very sick.
A Stressful and Prolonged Stay at Loma Linda
I spent a week at Loma Linda under intense scrutiny. They performed radiology imaging of my liver and lungs—areas they suspected were affected by metastatic cancer. Despite the liver results being inconclusive, they pushed for immediate chemotherapy. Throughout this time, doctors visited me daily, pushing me to start chemotherapy immediately, labeling me as being in denial when I resisted and insisted on further diagnostic measures like a PET scan, which they denied based on the fact that my insurance would not cover it because I had one that year already.Their trust in their radiology gave them enough confidence to tell me I was coping with another stage 4 recurrence and they advised me to be wise this time and do chemotherapy.
The Truth Unveiled Through Persistence
Refusing to accept their diagnosis without further evidence of a Pet scan did irritate them to say the least, I was so uncomfortable but this was my life we were talking about and I was sick. I reached out to Dr. Payan at CMN Hospital, who had previously saved my life in 2011 with alternative cancer treatment. Dr. Payan conducted thorough testing and found that I was actually suffering from severe pneumonia, not cancer. The details he provided painted a very different picture:
Lungs: The material in my lungs was thick bloody mucus, not cancerous nodules.
Liver: The mass identified was a benign hemangioma—a cluster of blood vessels, not a tumor.
Sternum: The swelling was caused by pulled cartilage and inflammation from my chronic coughing, not bone metastasis as previously claimed by Loma Linda.
Why Second Opinions Matter
This experience underscored the critical importance of second opinions. Research shows that misdiagnoses are not uncommon and can have significant impacts. I’ve included references at the end of this post to studies and data that support the need for thorough diagnostics and highlight the prevalence of misdiagnoses.
The Crucial Role of Second Opinions
My experience is supported by the fact that I am not alone in understanding the importance of second opinions in healthcare. Even with the few statistics I reference here, there are more and that is why 2nd opinions may be necessary:
Johns Hopkins Study (2016): Points out that medical errors are a leading cause of death in the U.S.
BMJ Quality & Safety (2014): Notes that misdiagnosis impacts millions annually, with significant potential for harm.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2017): Shows that a large percentage of second opinions result in changed or refined diagnoses.
These statistics confirm that misdiagnoses are not uncommon and have consequences. By sharing these facts and my story, I only want to help others and to raise awareness and support sensible decision-making in our health care. I want to say what many women I have spoken to have been afraid to do because they quite honestly did not want to offend their physician which is not the practice of self-compassion and could be a siginicant step taken for others who have concerns about a diagniosis they were given.
Advocating for our own health while crucial is not always comfortable to do. I want to encourage everyone who feels they need a second opinion not to doubt themselves and trust their instincts when something “feels off.” It’s a decision that may or may not impact our lives but I encourage anyone to trust themselves.
Thank you for listening, for considering, and perhaps for passing this on to someone who might need to hear it today.Then, in May 2013, I found myself back in the hospital, this time at Loma Linda University Medical Center. I had been coughing persistently for nearly two months and had a fluctuating fever. I was prescribed antibiotics, a Z-pack, prednisone, and inhalers, but nothing worked. My symptoms worsened, and I was admitted to the hospital. Given my history, the doctors assumed I had a recurrence of stage 4 breast cancer and recommended aggressive chemotherapy.
The thought of enduring another battle with cancer was overwhelming. Memories of my previous struggles came rushing back, filling me with fear and anxiety. But something deep inside me whispered that this diagnosis wasn’t right. My intuition, which had guided me before, urged me to seek a second opinion. I reached out to Dr. Payan at CMN Hospital in Mexico, a doctor I trusted—he had saved my life in 2011 when US doctors had given up on me. To my great relief, Dr. Payan discovered that I did not have breast cancer at all. Instead, I had pneumonia, which required IV antibiotics and breathing treatments.
Trusting My Intuition
Seeking a second opinion can be intimidating. Many people fear offending their primary physician or being labeled as difficult patients. This fear is valid, and I felt it deeply. But I realized that a second opinion was not just my right—it was crucial for my well-being. It was a choice that ultimately saved my life.
Reflecting on this experience, I can’t help but think about the unnecessary treatments and procedures I could have undergone if I had unquestioningly followed the initial diagnosis. The doctors at Loma Linda were prepared to start aggressive chemotherapy, assuming I had cancer. They even sent a cancer advocate to discuss the five stages of grief, thinking I was in denial. By seeking another opinion, I avoided unnecessary chemotherapy and made the right choice for my health.
Facing Criticism
During this journey, I joined a breast cancer support group of 10,000 women, hoping to share my experiences and learn from others. When I emphasized the importance of seeking a second and even third opinion if something didn’t feel right, I was met with significant backlash. Some members publicly disrespected me, questioning my judgment and belittling my advice. It was painful to face such criticism from a community I had hoped would be supportive. Fortunately, the organizer and founder of the group supported me, acknowledging my character and intentions. Despite this support, the experience was disheartening. The last thing we, as survivors, need is other survivors treating us poorly when we’re only trying to help. I was accused of causing deliberate fear, which was never my intention. My message was one of hope, emphasizing the importance of trusting oneself and seeking the best possible care. Despite the negativity, I felt compelled to share my story, knowing it could make a difference for someone else facing similar challenges.
Listening to My Inner Voice
I felt alone and scared, but my symptoms were different from when I had cancer. I had a fever and a productive cough, which wasn’t typical of my previous cancer symptoms. The doctors at Loma Linda thought I was in denial and lectured me endlessly. But having been through cancer twice before, I knew my body. My labs didn’t show a tumor marker increase, and I couldn’t ignore the difference in my symptoms.
Trusting the inner voice that had guided me before wasn’t easy. It required faith in myself and my instincts. I reached out to Dr. Payan at CMN Hospital, who knew my health history and had saved my life in 2011. He reassured me, saying, “Get over here, let our team examine you and run some tests. I don’t think you have cancer; let’s check you out, and I believe I am right. Please don’t worry, Shannon.”
Relief and Gratitude
When I settled into my hospital room at CMN, Dr. Payan brought in specialists from various fields: pulmonary, orthopedic, and radiology. They conducted blood tests, a CAT scan, and an ultrasound. All results pointed to a severe case of pneumonia and complications with severe inflammation on my rib cartilage. The prolonged weeks of chronic coughing had pushed a rib forcefully against the cartilage in my lower sternum area, where it swelled up and looked like a mass.
Dr. Payan immediately started me on therapies. He gave me hope and assured me that I would heal. In other words, I had costochondritis, not bone metastasis, and what they saw in my lungs was phlegm, not cancer. The small 5 cm liver mass that Loma Linda had tried to biopsy only caused bleeding because there were only tangled-up blood vessels, known as a hemangioma, not liver metastasis.
Reflecting on the What-Ifs
It terrified me to think about how differently things could have turned out. Had I consented to the immediate start of chemo drugs as Loma Linda recommended, they could have killed me. That chemo, with the degree of pneumonia my body was trying to fight, would not have fared me well at all. This experience reinforced the importance of paying attention to your body and seeking a second opinion when something feels off. It is a step that could potentially save your life.
No critics, naysayers, or defenders of the medical establishment can deter me from sharing my journey of overcoming cancer and pneumonia, or any aspect of my story. Seeking a second opinion is a wise choice if something seems unclear. It is a harmless step that could potentially save your life.
Grateful Beyond Words
In summary, CMN Hospital in San Luis, Mexico, saved my life once again. Dr. Payan's caring actions and accurate diagnosis helped me recover from pneumonia, avoiding a misdiagnosis of cancer recurrence. I am forever grateful for their expertise and care. This experience has been a profound reminder of the importance of listening to our intuition and advocating for our health. Dr. Payan is trustworthy in giving his medical opinion and always doing his best.
Shannon Knight
