Nodules do shrink

Merry, thank you for your informative reply. You have given me an understanding of what I am dealing with. Questions: Was your first cancer diagnosed as multifocal or did that diagnosis come 10 years later with the development of multiple nodules? How much time between treating one nodule and another in the last ten years, and the size/characteristics of the nodule when treated? I am having to deal with an additional health issue and what to do depends on what will happen with my other nodules for the next six months. At the beginning of December, I learned I had both a lung problem and a severe coronary artery blockage. I did not do a stent because, I knew the blood thinning dual antiplatelet therapy required for 3-6 months would not allow me to do surgery on my lung. It was a good call! And recent studies show that in general management with medication and doing a stent have similar mortality rates. I had my VAT wedge surgery at end of Dec and it was 3.1cm moderately differentiated acinar adenocarcinomas. My 3 month CT scan showed no change with 1 nodule in left lung and 3 in the right lung (one in each lobe). The one in the left lung is the one that will be next for treatment, now too soon because if I do radiation they would want to do needle biopsy and that carries risk of lung collapse so I wait until there is a change and they can do radiation or even surgery without the needle biopsy. The other three nodules are smaller (2 are part/sub solid and the 3rd all groundglass). Since I am already a patient at Mayo for multifocal, I thought it best to have a cardiologist at Mayo as well to assure communication and coordination of treatments between my "competing" medical issues. I continue to have shortness of breath even though I have exercised almost every day for the last month. And if I walk indoors with an N95mask I am breathing through my mouth heavily. With exertion and a mask I am gasping for air. This is possibly a heart issue so now Mayo has scheduled me for an angiogram which will measure the blood flow and actual narrowing of the artery especially because it is in a place where if I had a problem it would be quite serious. Unfortunately three months ago in the other hospital they identified the blockage as meeting the threshold to put in a stent, but did not measure more. That is key piece information to help me decide whether to stay on medication or do a stent. So this all makes me very anxious as I don't have an obvious answer. Cardiologist talked to Pulmonologist and he says multifocal is slow growing cancer. So 3-6 months without being able to do surgery is OK. My next CT scan is end June, six months from VAT wedge surgery. I am calm about the multifocal lung cancer because I see that it can be managed - look at you - but the heart thing puts a twist into it. Mayo said I had the option to stay on medication, but then Mayo encouraged me to do the angiogram to measure blood flow and narrowing so I will do it. I don't like options when I need recommendations because I know I lack knowledge to make best call.

My multifocal was diagnosed 10 years after my first cancer. That one was a 1b and never returned. Probably a wedge section or smaller section would have surfaced but that was a long time ago.

I have had up to 6, 3, and 5 years between being zapped for very small nodules. None have been biopsied but they were at the absolute minimum size, and barely took up any Positron emission tomography (PET) scan material.

It does look as if you made the correct decision for yourself to put off surgery and have medication instead.

My concern right now is for your heart also and that sounds like your source of trouble breathing, especially with a mask on. And you know that at this time it's extremely important to wear a mask when you are around people who are strangers and not vaccinated. I suggest that you slow your breathing down. Slow your walking down. Take longer to get to where you need to be or ask someone to do your chores or errands. Take slow walks and practice slow breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale with your mouth when you aren't wearing your mask.

Just a funny story about difficulty breathing with a mask. A few days ago I was extremely hungry in between two appointments. I was craving for an Italian grinder but forgot to ask them to hold the onion. Halfway through my last appointment, I was ready to pass out from the smell of my own breath! Those were some strong onions! lol

Options drive me crazy too but it's the law. Without options, we wouldn't know what other options there are. It also gives people with different views of life choices.

You also don't have to be a genius to make decisions about a lot of things in your life. You go with the knowledge that you can research and learn from what your doctor gives you and go from there. And that's why we have Connect. I think that you have been given great options right now and have made wonderful decisions that are just right for you! YOu have a lot on your plate right now so give yourself a pat on your back!

Will you practice walking out side and slowing your breathing down? lol

18 CM?? That's a very large nodule!

@deborahb - Good morning and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I noticed that this is your first time posting. How can I help you?
Merry