I can understand your concern for sure. I think I've mentioned that my friend just went through a medical crisis. He was sick for close to nine months and visited various doctors. It wasn't until a chance occurrence that they did the right test and the found out part of what was going on. Could they have done it sooner? Would it have mattered? Would a different doctor have found it? It's hard to say, but they need remember not to dwell on all of that. I firmly believe they should have gotten a second opinion much earlier, but that doesn't change the now, and all you can really deal with is the now. I think you have a good grasp of that, so try not to let your mind wander too much.
Hopefully your friend has some hope ahead, despite the delay.
I think that one of the reasons we put off getting a second opinion, is that we are scared that it might bring worse news than the first. Often, second opinions seem to be reserved for when the news is already bad.
Yeah, that is true. There is also the thinking that doctors know more than us, so how dare we question them. He seems to be on the right track, but he still has a long road ahead of him.