Multiple Lung Nodules elevated D-Dimer: How do I stay calm?

I'd like to add I had a CT scan in 2020 and the lungs were clear at that time.

Hi Kathy, I just wanted to give you some help if I can..each situation is different but what does remain the same for all of us is the tremendous fear we share. In 2017 they found a suspicious nodule in my upper left lobe and though it had some concerning characteristics they couldn’t say definitely that it was cancer…a biopsy was not considered because they felt that the nodule was too small and biopsies are risky with the lungs. I then went under observation for 3 years and only then in 2020 it started to grow. We were just months into the pandemic so it took several months before they could bring me in for surgery.. they removed the whole lobe and I didn’t need chemo so I could go home.. I basically just go for ct scans every six months or so for observation. It’s a different journey for everyone depending on your age or how your general health is. I think that the worst thing I did was to worry constantly and it hurt my health greatly, I feel my obsessive fear was doing me more harm than dealing with cancer..I feel you are in a good place, the doctor has done some tests and you’re getting more help so that’s really good..nothing is definite with your nodule and no one is calling it cancer and it doesn’t necessarily have to be cancer.. most people have many nodules in their lungs that never become malignant. I wish for you a easy journey and try not to worry about it, this advice I should take myself lol.. good luck and please let me know how you are doing.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I will keep them with me and keep updates on my path. I have an amazing husband and he says the same thing. The more worry about something out of my control the worse off I will be regardless of the outcome. Thank you again

Good morning Kathy!
I understand your fear and anxiety about the lung nodules. As others have said, everyone is different but wanted to share my story.
I was diagnosed with emphysema last year and with several CT scans, PET scans, and x-rays. 3 nodules were also discovered. One is a ground glass nodule.
My doctor (whom I have total confidence in) and I had a lengthy conversation and I had a robotic bronchoscopy (for biopsies on the nodules and lymph nodes) last month. All came back no cancer!
Unfortunately, I developed a severe case of multi focal pneumonia and am now almost back to normal. I have a CT scan and pulmonary function test scheduled for June with an appointment with my doctor. If all goes as planned, this will become my baseline and will then retest once a year.
I'm not on O2, walk 2 miles a day and work out in the gym 3 days a week. I also play golf at least one day a week.
Bottom line, I know this is not easy physically or mentally. What I have learned through all of this is that you need to be your own best healthcare advocate, ask questions, mindset is EVERYTHING and keep moving everyday!

Hi Kathy, @kathyt2023. Welcome to Mayo Connect! The waiting is so difficult especially when we tend to jump to the worse case scenarios. While I was waiting for tests and biopsy results, I would always try to ask myself 'what do I know today?', and 'what can I do about it today?'. That helped me focus on the present and stopped some of the speculation that was spinning around my mind. If there was nothing that I could take action on, then I knew I had to get on with the things that fill a normal day. It's hard to stay grounded and positive, but it will help you in the long run. When is your appointment with the pulmonologist?