Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Laurie08,
Just wanted to pop in real quick to say that I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow with your exchange and that your recovery time is short!!! You are coming into the home stretch!!
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Laurie:
good luck tomorrow..I'll be praying for you and a smooth recovery
Jan
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Not sure if anyone here is interested but there is a thread under Fitness and Exercise called the E-LAB project. It is a group of ladies who are looking to lose weight, maintain weight loss and basically get healthier during the next year!
Seems like a really super bunch of ladies and a really fun group!
If anyone is interested, the team I am on could sure use some more people!
My New Year's resolution this year is to drop the weight that I have gained in the last 1 1/2 years! I am hoping that, with the same great support that I have received here, that will be a goal I can achieve!
It's been a bit quiet here the last couple of days! Hope everyone is doing well!
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thanks everyone for the good thoughts- I need them! I am a bit nervous and looking forward to the boys going to bed so I can take a Valium and veg out on the couch. Can't wait till it's over. Seaside- One of the reasons we are having the boys stay at the in laws is because I don't know how I will feel after surgery and I don't want my 3 year old scared if I am sore, or sick to my stomach etc. He is a very sensitive boy and I want to be sure that I am smiling and functioning when he sees me so he won't get nervous about what is going on with me. Also, my husband has a meeting Tuesday a.m. that he can't miss so my in laws were already planning on taking them for a few hours in the morning to help out- less moving them around this way I suppose.
I just keep taking deep breaths and trying not to think about it too much. Like I said- can't wait until this is over and these stupid TE's I have had for 6 months are out of me and I have "yippie squshie's" as so many call them
I'll check in tomorrow night and let you all know I am home safe and sound. Hugs to you.
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You'll do just fine Laurie....ahhhh squishies!!! YIPPEE!!!
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Laurie,
Please do let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it!
All surgeries are a bit scary but, it's almost over!! Keep your eye on the prize, girl!
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Laurie - OMG the squishies are sooooo much better then the rock hard turtle shells...I woke up from my exchange and felt FABULOUS (a little sore but I could BREATH without discomfort). Just be aware that it can take a few months for the implants to drop a fluff so although they are 100% better then the TE's they may still look a little like hamburger buns.
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at 5 cigs today and using fake cig a lot - just holding it as if it were a cig. Have an appt. with BS tomorrow, infected seroma. Also very nervous that cancer TM's are up, could it be spreading. Took antianxiety meds to get me thru till tomorrow, I have great faith in my BS, he is knowledgeable and kind. Will be asking him for rec. for new oncologist, mine is a local dr. in a small town and don't feel he is of the calibre of the rest of my team. Karen
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Karen, I am so sad to read your post, but promise you, it will get better. That could be my post 2 months ago, I was in the very same position, TM's up, (but onc did say it could be because of my smoking), I had a new lump in same breast, needed biopsy, had subsequent swelling, truncal LE follows me wherever I go, needed chest x-ray, colonoscopy and so on, I kind of promised no one but myself, that if all these new worry some things turned out ok, I'd quit smoking. So it was and I did, and boy it is hard. I am only about 5 weeks non-smoking, I use the fake cigarette, and also the inhaler, I still need it, use about 4 cartridges a day, each delivers about 4 mg nicotine. JUST HANG IN THERE A LITTLE LONGER, 5 a day is not bad, you can get down to 4 a day next weeks, then keep working on it, slips are allowed, and really look at the threads here, alot of good info, and alot of support, I usually only check in once a week, and have not really been reading the posts from this past week yet, because I saw your post and needed to tell you YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I hope you can get an oncologist you are comfortable with. I have alot of faith in my BS too, she is my go to person regarding the b/c.
Once in a while I have to take the anti anxiety meds too, helps me so much with getting a good nights sleep. I am glad they are available to us.
I also have a great primary doc., I live in a small town too, my primary doc. is 76 miles away, but worth the trip. BS is 174 miles away.
Best wishes for a quick recovery from the seroma,
dsgirl
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Hello ladies,
Being on the computer was/is one of my triggers, after a meal was/is another one, so I try to avoid the pc as much as possible. The stop smoking support thread has been busy, Hi to new and old posters, lets see if I remember some, o2be, Jennifer, (seaside) Jan, Kitchenwitch, Dutchie, BarbaraA, Laurie, Karen and VJS ?? gads, I will have to make a list of you ladies, I read some posts, and then want to respond, but forget who wrote what and sometimes even forget the names, I did not have Chemo, can I blame it on Aromasin ??? The stop smoking process does make a mess of my head, it will get better, I know it wlll, as it can't get worse.
Have a great week
dsgirl
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Laurie, good luck tomorrow. I am so happy for you that it is going to happen although a little later than you thought.
Jennifer, how did the weekend go with all of your kids home for the weekend? Sounds like it should have been fun. Take care.
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Laurie, sending cyber hugs for you! dsgirl, it will get better. In case you have a center near you, I quit using auricular stimuation. It is similar to a tens unit that delivers electrical stimulation to variuos areas of the body that has pain. In the case of smoking, they say that by stimulating several areas in your ears, it frees up the nerves that had been blocked by nicotine. I was skeptical. I must say, I walked out and was no longer physically addicted. For me that was HUGE!! That was my biggest problem all the other times I quit because I have a demanding job and I have to have my brain working in high gear. Quitting made me a zombie.
I walked out unaddicted. I had cravings, sure. In fact, I did this on a Wed. and went back on Sat. for a recharge. It was really more of a placebo for me, because I needed to work on my habit patterns.
I now know that one puff and I am done. I can NEVER have another cigarette. Sigh. I really liked smoking. This stuff is worse than heroin or crack.
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OK, tell me if I'm crazy... Ever since I quit smoking, I can't stand to be near dogs anymore. I can't breathe, eyes itch, etc. Is this just a coincidence or is it related to quitting? It's driving me nuts.
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Linda:
It sounds like you have developed an allergy to dogs. I wouldn't think it would be related to quitting smoking, however your sinus do clear up.
But, it sounds like an allergy.
Jan
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Linda--I'll find out. I belong to ATTUD (Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence). Most of the top doctors and researchers in tobacco control are members. I've posted the question to see if there is a link. I don't believe in coincidences and there might be a connection. I'll let you know what I find out. Have a joyous day.
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Thank you Jan and VJSL8. Please let me know what you find out. I don't believe in coincidences either. It really is making me crazy. I have a cat at home and she doesn't bother me at all. It's only dogs! and it really is only since I quit smoking.
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Linda:
Yes, it will be interesting to see what VJ can find out. Interesting stuff!
Jan
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Hi ladies a quick post to let you know I am home from surgery. Feeling a bit hazy and sore but nothing compared to the BMX. The PS said everything went fantastic and he was sweet enough that he didn't even give me a hard time for my smoking slips. So I am now on the road to recovery enjoying some TLC from my wonderful husband.
Thanks again for all the support.
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YEAH Laurie!!!!
So glad to hear all went well! Now you can focus on healing!
Jennifer
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Ladies in the South,
How are you doing? Saw on the news that it is really BAD down your way!
We're expected to get some of it up this way but, in the form of snow (and not all that much). Hope you are all doing OK!
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Dutchy,
The weekend went well!!
My daughter has been home from college since mid-Dec and my son is still in high school so still lives here. It was all the FRIENDS that they both had staying here that were the addition!!
They're all really nice kids so wasn't too much of a bother! It is kind of nice to just be back to my own 2 today, though!
Took the opportunity to get some of the Christmas stuff taken down and put away. We've been really going almost non-stop with company (other than a day here and there) since before Christmas! I'm exhausted!
My daughter goes back to college on Thursday. Looking forward to the remainder of January being quiet!
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dsgirl,
Congrats on your 5 weeks!! Glad to hear things are still going well!
karen333,
Sorry to hear that you are going through so much right now! I know the tumor marker thing is frightening BUT there are a LOT of doctor's (mine included) that, because the tumor marker tests are SO unreliable, do not even use them! Mine goes mostly on how I am feeling and will order scans based on symptoms.
You may very well have a completely different set of circumstances that only you and you doctor know about.
Definitely, if you do not have faith in your onc, kick him to the curb, and get one you do have faith in! Let's face it, all doctor's have to offer is their opinion based on education and experience. If you don't trust that opinion, then your just wasting your time!
Sending you a big hug tonight! Given all that you are going through right now, I think being down to 5 is GREAT!!
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Seaside: Glad to hear you say that about the tumor marker test. My onc also said that, for breast cancer, there aren't really any reliable tumor marker tests and he doesn't use them either. I was beginning to wonder about that since so many people's doctors do seem to use them.
We got 6 inches of snow at my house today, unheard of for Alabama! That shut down the whole state, pretty much. My onc appt got cancelled, but my doctor did call me and we talked over how things have been going, where we go next, etc., and he said someone will call me tomorrow to reschedule the appointment. I'm afraid that tomorrow things will be worse though, because the snow that melted or got "mushy" today, will refreeze tonight into ice, so we'll be shut down again tomorrow. We don't have the snow equipment, salt and all that in the south, so we pretty much just have to wait it out and depend on Mother Nature to make it warm up! But we know when it is coming and everybody runs to the grocery store like we are facing nuclear war and stocks up on bread and milk. So we're doing fine. My dogs loved the snow, I had to make them come inside because I was afraid they were going to get frostbite on their little feet. They were so cute, chasing each other and hopping like bunnies since the snow was almost up to their bellies.
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Hi All:
Laurie: I'm so happy that your surgery went fantastic!!! Whoo Hoo...now you are a squishie!!
We didn't get anything here at the beach but it is cold and rainy outside (actually it sounds like sleet). They closed schools today and tomorrow. We have nothing for the snow either. I can't wait until it warms up....It's supposed to rain tomorrow. If you went about 15 miles north/west of here they had about 4 in of snow...go figure!
Jan
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Wow Bama,
Sounds like a MESS! From the news it sounded like that's what happened in Georgia and now it's all ice!
Even here in the NE, we don't do ice well!
And the grocery stores are packed if they forecast a major storm. We HAVE the snow removal equipment so, typically, it won't be more than a day or 2 before you can get to the store! I know in my house, we have enough food to make it a day or 2. It may not be what you WANT to eat but, we won't starve so I've never understood the mob scene at the grocery stores, at least here!
The big issue becomes losing power (and with it a source of heat)! I certainly hope you all have retained power and that it isn't too long before Mother Nature warms you back up!!
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Jan508,
Glad to hear you escaped the really bad stuff! I thought I saw that parts of NC got quite a bit of snow. Glad it wasn't where you are!
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I am so glad I got to see my BS today, he said the onc's he works with generally don"t put much faith in them and he is going by my symptoms and the US's he did this A.M., said of the 3 tests, only 1 was up and that by only 1/2 of one point. He is making an appt. for me with an onc. he works with and he thinks I'll mesh well with, so "I'm kicking the other guy to the curb". He was thrilled by the fact that I'm quiting smoking, I bragged about this site and the support I get from here and the rest of the BCO. org. No snow yet up here yet, just talked to a friend in N.C. and she had an inch but icy. I am 30 miles east of Bflo., so we generally get some snow but don't get clobbered with it. Seaside, thanks for your perspective on the TM's, I feel like I can breathe again. My daughter and I went out to lunch after the appt. to celebrate. Lady in Bama, your Dr. doesn't use them at all either. I kept telling myself to just breathe and get thru till Mon., really confirms my opinion about the "old" onc. I'm building myself a better team. Everyone stay warm and safe. Still at 5, and holding steady, will have to get some healthier snacks. Laurie, rest easy. Karen
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karen333,
SO glad that you feel a bit better! These doctor's I think sometimes do not GET that things that they say in a rather off-handed way are really taken as gospel and have a huge impact on us! One marker being up 1/2 point could EASILY be within the margin of error for the test!!
I know what you mean about how thrilled the docs are when you can tell them you are trying to quit or have quit! The good ones want what's best for you!! Just WAIT till you can tell them you HAVE quit! The day that I did that for the first time, I can't describe how PROUD I was!
You will be there too!!!
The longest journey begins with 1 step... you have taken that 1st step! One foot in front of the other toward your goal!
Jennifer
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Bama,
Just noticed from our roll call list that today is your 5 MONTH quit-aversary!!!!!
Way to go!
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Yay Laurie. I know you are glad to have that behind you.
Hey all, next Tuesday is Seaside's 1 year anniversay!! PARTY!!!
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