How do I get a second opinion?

You ask for one - plainly, without apology. Second opinions are a normal, expected part of medicine: good doctors welcome them (a confident diagnosis survives a second look), Medicare covers them before surgery, and most insurance plans do too for major diagnoses and procedures. The mechanics that make it worth the effort. First, gather your records before the visit: the visit notes, the test results, the imaging (get the actual images on a disc or portal download, not merely the report), and any pathology slides or reports - the second doctor needs raw material, not a summary of the first doctor's conclusions. Second, choose someone independent: a different practice, ideally a different hospital system - colleagues in the same group naturally read each other's work kindly. Third, go in with the decision questions rather than a bare 'what do you think': do you agree with the diagnosis, are there other options - including doing nothing or waiting - and what would you recommend for someone in my situation. Fourth, compare: if the two agree, you gain confidence; if they differ, that is information too - ask each doctor to explain the other's view, which is where the real learning happens. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you organize your records and questions first.