Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Laurie, thinking of you! I'm praying for a gorgeous outcome!
Thinking of all my ex-smoker buddies!
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Thanks Barbara!
So this morning I get a phone call and my surgery has been moved from 7am to noon.:/ Talk about screwing everything up. Now my kids will most likely have to have an over night at their grandparents house. My PS said the surgery will take 3 hours and recovery room is 2 hours, so if everything goes perfectly that means we would get home for 6 with me fresh from surgery and 2 hungry, tired little boys.
I have to admit I was so irritated with the phone call my first thought was to go find a cigarette- but here I sit.
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Laurie sorry abou the delay and time change on surgery...
Just wanted to say WAY TO GO not picking up a cigarette after that news!!!!
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Laurie:
Awww....I, too, am sorry for the delay in surgery but WAY TO GO with no cigarette!!!
Jan
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Seaside, Wonderful to see all the women that quit or in the process of quitting. You can put me down for Jan 1, 2011. I finally got serious again. Ya know I had that week of relapse and bought 3 packs but did not get to where I use to be. It was pretty easy once I made up my mind and did not let my son's situation continue to be my excuse. It really has helped having my grandaughter here and I am even more happy that she is moving back to CA with her family. Her mother and I are wonderful friends although my son and her never got married. They still have a good relationship so it helps when we need to share time with her.
Well Ladies, keep up the great work and for those who are thinking about it..it is difficult the first days but it does get easier as your go on.
Evelyn-Dutchy
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Dutchy:
Welcome back! I'm so glad you returned and have the determination to fight the cravings and be a non smoker. I know you can do this, you already have done it! A slip is a slip!!!
I'm so glad you got back here with us. We missed you!
I'm so glad your granddaughter is moving back to CA to be near you. That is so important!!!
Jan
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{{{{{{{DUTCHY}}}}}}} Welcome back. Glad you are here and congrats on 7 whole days!! You CAN do this. Come here when you feel like slipping and we may be able to help!
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Hi all, I am new to this site, I have been browsing and lurking for quite a long while. Barbara A. mentioned it again to me. I've been told by my oncologist that my TM's could have shown a slight rise due to my smoking so I guess the time is now. Have gotten 1 of those looks like a cigarette aids, I have smoked for over 30 yrs., 1 pack a day, and am a stress smoker also. Also am dealing with an infected seroma right now, will see BS on Mon. for that. I had 4 cigarettes today and have used the aid to hold in my hand alot, I also never smoke in the computer room, so have been on line alot. Also munched alot too, not too good. I,m going to go back and read thiis thread so I can get to know you and how you support each other. Glad to have finally posted. Karen
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Welcome back Dutchy!!!!!!!!
Welcome Karen333!!!
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Karen:
Welcome! You've come to the right place for support in your journey to quit. We have alot of lovely ladies here who have quit using different forms of treatment.
I, too was a pack a day smoker for what seems like forever!! Over 30 years though.
Using whatever you need to quit is fine, some use inhalers, patches, gum, etc. There is one lady on here that is a smoking cessation expert. If you read back on the posts I think there is a link to her workbook. But I'm sure she will be along to help you out. I don't want to give you any wrong information.
Good luck, post often and know that someone will be here for you for support and encouragement.
Jan
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Dutchy,
SO glad you checked in! I will get the list updated with your new date and what a date it is... 1/1/11! Should be easy to remember!
Glad your granddaughter is moving back permanently! So good that you like, and are good friends with, your DIL and that she and your son get along. That makes all the difference for a child!
If you get a second, could you let me know what day your surgery is?
Hang in there!!!! I am sooooooo pulling for you! I KNOW you can do this.
Jennifer
PS. Can you believe it is almost a YEAR since we first "met" on this thread??
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Welcome karen333!!
I, too, was a 30+ year smoker, between 1 1/2 - 2 packs a day! I am coming up on 1 year soon! Never thought I could quit but I did and you can, too!!!
Take some time now to put together a plan! Reading back aways in this thread can definitely help to get to know us all and provide you with really good tips that people have provided as to what worked or didn't for them!
VJSL8 is the smoking cessation professional that Jan talked about. She has graciously offered a copy of the workbook that she uses for the classes she teaches, free of charge, to anyone from this thread who asks. TONS of great information there. Everything from how to prepare to quit, to different aids you can use, etc. Here's a snippet of the post (just so you don't have to go back searching)...
"Again, offering a PDF copy of my workbook that I use with my clients (free, no strings, just want to help), just send me your email address and I'll send you a copy. VJSL8@CS.COM "
I think you will find the group here to be very supportive and non-judgemental!
Glad you posted, too! Look forward to hearing more from you soon!
Edited to add:
Back on page 123 is our latest roll call that lists the ladies who post here along with what date they quit. I plan to update it and re-post with Dutchy's quit date. If you would like to be included (even if your current stage is thinking about it or preparing and getting a plan in place), I would be happy to add you to our list. Just let me know.
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Laurie08,
Sorry to hear about the time change! Later in the day definitely sucks!
As far as the boys, could Grandpa and Grandma fix dinner for them? Could they maybe keep the boys during the day but come to your house in the evening, get the boys dinner and put them to bed before you get home? Or at the very least, have them at your house fed and ready for bed when you get home?
Glad to hear that you got through this set-back without smoking! Just think, after Monday, those TEs are GONE and you are in the home stretch!!
Keep your eye on the prize!!!
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Hi Ladies,
Glad to be back and touching bases with all of you ladies. Welcome to the newcomers. You have come to a wonderful thread. I just heard that my surgery may have to be rescheduled because of a trauma patient that may need 3 PSs to work on them. Of course it has me sitting on the edge wondering if I am going to get that telephone call telling me it has been pushed back. If it does not then my Stage 2 of the DIEP takes place at 6:30 in the morning. If it does get pushed back I will just return to work for a few days and the extra time will not hurt, but I just want to get done with all of these surgeries. I have waited long enough since by BMX.
Jennifer, the year we have known each has been wonderful to have you as a friend and ex-smokers.
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Well I just got the news it is being re-scheduled and she will call me on Monday with a new date. I am bummed out but am not graving. Perhaps for the best.
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Welcome Karen. I, too, smoked 30+ years, around a pack a day, sometimes more if stressed. It's been almost 5 months for me, and I'm so glad to be where I'm at with it and hope it's for good this time. Hang in there, it can be done! Read back for tips and do whatever it takes. Don't feel bad about using nicotine replacement, eating or whatever works for you to get over the hump.
Tracie & Dutchy: Hope your surgeries work out for you and all goes smoothly.
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Dutchy,
Sorry for the delay! I know you are bummed but, you may be right, sometimes things happen for reasons we don't always understand!
That being said.... GEEZ, you have waited long enough and I HOPE that this is just a tiny extra wait!
Please post with your new date whan you know it. I think of you often but would like to say a special prayer for you on the day of your surgery!
Jennifer
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O2B,
You are aways so good at checking in to give support but, how are YOU doing?
Have you healed from your thyroid surgery? What is next on the horizon for you?
Hope all is well! I think of you often...
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Dutchy, so sorry to hear you are going to have to wait for your surgery.
Welcome Karen, I just recently joined this thread too and I think you will find that the women here are amazingly understanding and supportive, good luck to you!
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Dutchy:
Sorry for the delay but I believe everything happens for a reason so hang in there. It will be here before you know it!!
Laurie:
Good luck on your surgery Monday. I will be thinking and praying for you.
Jan
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Doing good Seaside! Swelling has gone down completely and the scar is looking good. Thyroid meds are working well and I have finally lost a pound instead of gaining one...whooot!
Dutchy and Laurie I am so sorry about the surgery delays. It has to be hard especially when you are so close to being done. Sending you (((((HUGS))))))
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O2B,
Whoooooot is RIGHT on the pound lost rather than gained. Hopefully, it was all related to your thyroid problem and those pounds will just fly off!!
I have been doing the treadmill faithfully for the last week (well, 6 days) and have lost 1/2 of a pound. I'll TAKE it! At least the scale is going in the right direction.
Glad to hear you are doing well!!!!
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Laurie, Sorry to hear about the delay in your surgery but at least you are still getting the surgery. Mine is cancelled and they are not going to reschedule for at least 2 weeks. Next week they do not have any available slots and the following week he will be out of the state. But I too have not had a cigarette although I am graving one now. I hope you can get the help with the boys cuz I think you will need it...but I really do not know that much about TE. What is the recovery suppose to be like.
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{{{{DUTCHY LAURIE}}}}} So sorry about your delay. Big warm hugs for you both!
Welcome Karen. You can do it. I smoked 30+ years too.
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Im here, recovering ok, but been cheating a little bit. (hey, Im being honest) Still havent bought any, but I bumm them when I can. Guess I wasnt quite ready to let go. On the steroids though, I do realize how bad they smell. (Steroids seem to heighten everything) I know I can do it if I really put my mind to it, I have gone 2 weeks cold turkey, but end up cheating. I still enjoy it. Damn it!
Im hunkering down for the snow, gotta get my daughter from work later, (her tires are bad) so we are planning a sleepover. Gotta get up the energy to fight the crowds at the supermarket now. Eh, maybe sandwiches for dinner. LOL. Who wants to go out in this??? LOL
Kristy
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Dutchy- two week delay? Augh....my heart breaks for you. To be so close and have things get put off like that just sucks. Good job not smoking, I almost broke down over a 5 hour delay. Congrats!!
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thank you, thank you for all the welcomes and good wishes. I see there are some of us who have smoked heavily for quite a few years, did you do it cold turkey or wean yourself off, this is so hard. I had 5 cig. yesterday and 5 already today, all the rest of the time I need to distract myself to not think of them. I hold onto the fake cig. when I am just sitting. Got some housework done that I've been putting off, so that was good, eating too much, I'll gain lbs. easily. Hanging in there. Karen
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Karen:
No, it's not easy but it is doable!!!
When I was dx in August I never bought another pack. My DH smoked so I would bum from him and prior to surgery was was only smoking about 5 a day (down from a pack). The night before my surgery was my last cigarette (9/19). So, to answer your question, I weaned myself off for about 6 weeks then went cold turkey. I still get cravings and sometimes really strong!
Just try to do something..housework is good and if there is water involved that's even better :
Keep posting here - you will find great support with us.
Jan
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Karen333,
Lots of different methods used by different people here!
I was a cold turkey girl! I did have a prescription for Chantix as my plan B if I couldn't do it but did not get to the point of using it!
I was going to be a very dramatic January 1st, stroke of midnight quitter! Started cutting back off of my 1 1/2 - 2 pack a day habit after my treatment was over in October. Managed by December to be down under 1/2 pack but just couldn't get it down under that!
Then came New Years Eve.... I was all ready to quit... and DIDN'T...
Took me till January 18th when my final pack was gone at 11:01 pm to quit!! So rather than my huge, dramatic text-book moment of quitting, it was a kind of run-of-the-mill day, without the fireworks BUT one that I will remember forever!
Bottom line... Lots of different aids to help..
It IS SO hard but, once you get through the beginning, you will look back and think, what the heck was the big deal?
Some tips....
Drink LOTS of water/fruit juice. Helps to flush out the nicotine!
I know everyone is worried about weight gain. FORGET about it in the beginning! Eat small and frequent meals/snacks. Being hungry feels a LOT like I want to smoke! Smoking causes our bodies to release stored glucose and until your body re-learns how to do that on it's own, your blood sugar can be all over the place. A large number of the really crappy early side-effects can be directly related to low blood sugar. Be kind to yourself early and eat whatever strikes your fancy. After things are more under control, you can still snack but, choose wisely.
REST! Your body is going through a lot of changes and needs rest! As an added bonus, at least for me, I did not crave a smoke when I was sleeping. Also my big smoking time was still in the evening so turning in early helped to shorten that window!
Stay busy! When the urge hit early on I would get up and do something else until it passed! My house was never so clean! Remember the urge to smoke will pass within 5 minutes whether you smoke or NOT!
Suck on a straw.... Blow bubbles, either with gum or real bubbles... I was never a gum chewer before but, I did find it helpful in the beginning!
Most of all... post here for support when you need it. If you haven't already, e-mail for VJ's workbook. It truly is no strings attached (and believe me, I am VERY careful who I give my e-mail address to) and is loaded with great tips for people just starting out.
Also, if you haven't already (and I realize it's lots of pages) go back some in this thread and check out what has worked/not worked!
We so look forward to having you here!
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sweetaerobabe,
Glad to hear you are coming out the other side after your treatment!
Yes, you are still, as you say, cheating BUT... You get a pass! You are still going through chemo and that is SUCH a stressful time! Think of your time now as "riding the bike with training wheels'.... We all did it, but once we figured out how great it felt ride without, there was NO TURNING BACK!! You are still not buying them and are probably smoking significantly less that you were... All good stuff!
Hope your sleepover with your daughter is fun! My daughter has 2 of her college friends here to spend the night and my son just asked if a friend of his can stay over as well! Good thing we bought lots of pizza for the girls. I think they can share with the boys!
Do what you have to do to get through your treatments and then, once those are done.... Look OUT!
Edited to finish my last sentence which I apparently just left hanging there!
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