Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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{{{MALLEME}}}} Welcome! We are here to support, regardless of relapse. It happens. We still love you!!
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Malleme:
Welcome! We are here for support and encouragement. Regardless of slips or falls we will be here to pick you up with no judgement.
Jennifer: Can you let her know where the workbook is (VJ's)? I know it's on the thread somewhere but not sure where. It's a workbook to quit that was so wonderfully given to us by one of our sisters here...it has helped alot of newbies on here.
So, post often and join in...we are quite a nice bunch here (((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))
Jan
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Malleme---The FDA tried to regulate cigarettes before but the tobacco companies took them to the Supreme Court which ruled that the FDA had no authority to regulate tobacco (1990). So as the most heavily advertised consumer product, there was NO regulation allowed at all. The tobacco companies have paid some really smart lawyers how to protect their profits and have bought political influence for years. It wasn't until 2 years ago when Congress finally passed the Family Smoking and prevention act which finally allowed the FDA to regulate cigarettes--HOWEVER they are not allowed to banned tobacco, nor can they make the tobacco companies remove nicotine. It goes back to the golden rule--he who has the gold, rules, and the tobacco companies have rigged the system for years!! Even the ban on TV advertising (1970) was for the benefit of the tobacco companies--to stop the non-profits from getting free airtime from the fairness doctrine--which caused smoking rates to decline for the first time in many years. They have paid scientists to call any research--junk science--to cloud how harmful smoking (and now second and third hand smoke) really is and they continue to do it to this day. They have shipped their profits overseas (Atria-phillip morris, is in Switzerland now) so even if they lose a lawsuit--good luck trying to collect anything. Also in 2008, the US District appeals court rules that the tobacco companies were guilty under RICO---they did the same dirty works as the MOB but Bush made the attorney general take out the part of them paying any money for the billions spend through medicare and medicaid to treat smokers. If everyone on medicare and medicaid would stop smoking within 5 years, we would save $9.7 Billion each year on health care costs.
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malleme,
"I wanted my one vice that was my choice that I could control"
"Smoking is controling me. not me having control. Well simply I'm not for anything cancer or smoking to control my thoughts, emotions and stress. "
PERFECT!!! You have made the (very subtle) mental change that "I" think makes a huge difference!
You have moved on from viewing cigarettes as a friend that you will miss when it is gone, to seeing it for what it really is... a controlling, abusive presence in your life that DEMANDS that you do what it wants, when it wants, regardless of what YOU want! Sure, there are good times but, there are more bad times than good! Funny, but, if cigarettes were a PERSON with those qualities most of us would have kicked that friend to the curb long ago!!
You CAN do this, and we will ALL be here to help! Who knows... your success may lead to your husband quitting too!!!
Post when you need to... Great bunch of gals here!!!
Hope to hear more from you soon!
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for a free copy of my workbook, just PM or email your email address (VJSL8@CS.COM) and I'll send anyone a copy. Again, no strings.0
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Thanks VJ for helping out here
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OK... In honor of Malleme... A re-post of the roll call!!!
Laurie08 - Regrouping and getting a plan in place
Sweetaerobabe - Regrouping and getting a plan in place
Dutchy - Regrouping and getting a plan in place
Malleme - Feb 6, 2011 quit date
karen333 - Jan 16, 2011 quit date
chabba - Jan 11, 2011 quit date
dsgirl - Dec 3, 2010 quit date
Kitchenwitch - Nov 30, 2010 quit date
Linda603 - Nov 4, 2010 quit date
kal_1865 - Sept 28, 2010 quit date
jan508 - Sept 20, 2010 quit date
LadyinBama - Aug 10, 2010 quit date
BarbaraA - June 2, 2010 quit date
SeasideMemories - Jan 18, 2010 quit date
o2bhealthy - May 5, 2009 quit date
1Athena1 - April 27, 2009 quit date
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Woooooowhoooooo Malleme! Welcome to the club!!
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You ladies are great.Every woman.... Barbara, Jan, Seaside etc,, VJ you already sent that workbook and THANK YOU I have so listened to all the advice. I read that book 3 months ago and started working out my plan of attack.
I think Seaside is right. I feel like I have made a mental change.
Thanks for being there.you have no idea how much support your giving to those who don't post but listen and learn. This week may be hard but I have planned it out. Last night no smokers at the superbowl party( except my hubby). today no smoking at my moms, wed going to see Jersey's boys which should be great.
I'll let ya know how I'm doing
Malleme
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((((((((Malleme))))))))))))!!!
You can do it!! A HUGE part of the whole thing is to get yourself in the "right" frame of mind... check! Form a plan (sounds like you have looked over VJ's workbook and have been following this thread.. check! You have gotten your plan in place and have begun to implement it... check!
You ARE well on your way!
The next few days may be a bit bumpy BUT, the effort is SOOOO worth it in the long run!!
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Malleme: Welcome! I also used the patch, then when my brain seemed to be going haywire and causing cravings (although I wasn't really physicially craving cigs because of the patch) I went to the doc and got on Wellbutrin/Zyban for a few months. It helps somehow with the mental part of it. But you have the key: we've got to get our mind and heart into it and realize nicotine for the devil it is and really want it out of our lives. I am so glad to be rid of it and hope I never pick it back up. I've had 2 hospitalizations and 3 surgeries since I quit and I can't imagine having sat in the hospital for 2 weeks craving a cigarette. Been there, done that, and don't ever want to do that again!
Ladies, my laproscopic ooph was yesterday. All went well, I'm sore but that's about it. Glad to have it over with. Just one more surgery, my exchange surgery in March. Hooray!
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{{{{MALLEME}}}} We are here for you!! I can't believe it has been 8 months for me. Anytime you need a hug or some encouragement, we are here for you!
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Bama - so happy to hear your ooph was a sucesss and that you are feeling good!!
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I smoked for 50 years and stopped three years ago. I just got sick of the smell and trying to find somewhere to do it. It is hard, I used commit losenges for a couple weeks and they taste so bad i quit those. I haven't had one since I stopped. I was diagnosed with BC in November 2009 and had dbl mastectomy, now taking Arimidex and Infusions of Aredia. I am so glad I stopped smoking. I can't imagine being diagnosed with Cancer and continuing.
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I can't believe I hit the 3 month date without a single slip-up! Oh yeah, I've been tempted, but I refuse to give in. I'm so done with smoking. For all of you struggling and having slip ups, don't give up!! You can do it!
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Linda:
Congratulations!!!!! That is such a 'big deal'......
Shirlrae:
Also, congratulations!!!! Being quit is such a wonderful feeling!!
I'm sure Jennifer will add you to the list..
Jan
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Bama,
Glad to hear that your operation went well! I must agree! Being in the hospital when you cannot smoke was the absolute pits! Good to know that, if I find myself there again, not being able to smoke will not even enter into the picture!
One more surgery and then you're done!!! THAT has to feel so good! Please do let us know when your exchange is scheduled!
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Linda603,
3 Months was a huge milestone for me!! It was at that point where I felt like I really had turned the corner!
Seemed like the "Big" dates for me were 1 week, 3 weeks, 3 months and then 1 year... Not sure why other than during the first week smoking/not smoking was ALL I thought about.. by week 3 I felt a LOT better... by 3 months I had lost track of how long it had been and had to go back and count weeks (NEVER thought I would get to that point) and 1 year... well, what can I say, it's a year and that's just cool!
Glad to hear that you are doing well! You should be VERY proud of yourself!
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Shirlrae,
I quit after over 30 years smoking! Quitting after 50 is just remarkable!!!
I see you are in Apple Valley... I lived in Rochester, MN for 5 years and, yes, trying to find a place to smoke where you weren't going to freeze to death in the winter WAS a challenge!!!
So glad to hear from you and all of the others ladies who quit and have kept it up!!
It is very inspiring to me!!!
As Jan said, I would be happy to add anyone who has quit to our "quit date roll call" list... Just post with a quit date and I will add you!
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Hi Ladies, just letting you know I am still in the planning mode and reading and learning. Glad to hear so many of you are doing so well as in the beginning there was only Jennifer and another lady who was on the thread. It has grown to be such a wonderful support, even if you have relapsed.
I am healing and doing well. I finally got out and walked 2.3 miles today and feel good that walking is back in my life. It just took me awhile to get back out there.
Welcome to all the newcomers and even the women who are on the sidelines and just reading. As we see there is help being done even when you are not writing on the thread.
VJ Could you send your book to me at Eoostinga@yahoo.com. I tried to get your book and somethings popped up that I did not know how to answer as I am not that computer literate. Thank you in advance.
All my hugs and love to all my sisters on here.
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Dutchy,
We definitely were on this thread when it had kind of fizzled and there was pretty much you, me and one other person (miss her and wish she would come back, just don't want to put any pressure on her!)...
Wow, have things grown! That is SOOOO good!
Sounds like you are ready to try again and maybe take a different approach! Just remember, EACH time you try and it just didn't work, you have learned something about yourself that WILL be useful next time (another tool in the tool box)!! As VJ said, so perfectly, the only failure is if you STOP trying!!
Good for you on the walking!! I have been doing well there too (although you wouldn't know it from the scale)! Today was shoveling snow rather than walking... I am sooooo sore!
You have a special place in my heart!!! I KNOW you can do this!!
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Jennifer, glad to hear you are still walking as it really helps me so much and I bet it makes you feel better. My scale does not show that I walk either but who is looking. I think it is more on how good it makes me feel once I have completed a long walk. I think it also helped me yesterday to get more fluids out of my system from the stage 2.
I got VJs book and now I need to take some time to read it. Thanks again VJ.
See ya later
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Dutchy, exercising is good. VJ's book will really help you!
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Thanks Barbara, I hope you are having a great day. I am so proud of you for having over 8 months. I will do it again, I just have to do it for me and not only for a surgery although that was important especially for stage 1. I was really doing it and then my son got into that trouble and I just threw my hands up and started again. I know I am responsible for my own actions but sometimes if you do not have the right tools to work with you relapse. I am hoping VJ book is going to help. I just went to find it in my email and it was not there. I have asked her to resend it and should get again soon. Have a wonderful day.
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Please please please add me to your list - and put Mar. 1 as my quit date- until then I will taper and get support - this is a club I SO want to belong to. I've made it 5 years since dx - quitting off and on- DH quit! I am tired of being addicted - tired of smelling terrible, tied of being fatigued - and really sick of going outside - it is 9 degrees here - man does that suck! I really need support - thanks from the bottom of my icky lungs -
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Ellie - {{{{hugs}}}} You can do it!! We will help and we are here for you!
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Ellie, are you going to use any of the nicotine aids, ie. lozenges, patch... It is hard the first week, I had to keep moving and started exercising on a recumbent bicycle. When I craved a cigarette I would pedal for a while till the craving passed, or wash dishes, read in my no-smoking den while listening to music. Quit date of March 1 - we are all waiting to support you. Karen
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Ellie1959,
Welcome!! I sure will add you to the list...
I can really identify, especially this winter, with how tough it would be to have to go out to smoke! That's where I was at the beginning of last winter before I quit! Definitely, in a MUCH better place this winter but, am feeling bad for those I see huddled outside.
Sounds like you are to the point where you are ready to KICK those cigarettes to the curb!!! Post often for support... Look forward to hearing from you!!
By the way... Great photo in your avatar... Not sure what was going on but, to me it just says VICTORY!!
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Ellie, all of us women are here for you. I still have to get my plan in place and pick a stop date again. but I visit this site regularly. I hope to see you here often.
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Had a tooth pulled this A.M., no smoking for 24 hours, 3 and a half weeks ago that would have been so hard for me. Benefits of quiting, after that first week,it truly does get easier. I do have cravings once in a while, but I get on my stationary bike or come to the den, a no smoking room, and browse on the computer, still using the e cig.,but not as much as I had been.
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