Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Seaside, I'm so sorry you really got slammed. During our local news, they showed weather extremes and Syacuse was on. That's typical Buffalo weather, everyone filmed was digging out their cars with at least what looked to be over a foot of snow. Hopefully that was winter's last hurrah and we won't see anymore of the white stuff. It's just been going on and on. We had the sun, it was glorious, forgot what it looked like. Today was 29 and tomorrow in the 30's and more sun. Sure could get used to this. But, you're right, hate to speak too soon. So, we have lousy winters and we are superstitous about it. I know that's spelled wrong, but have no spell check on this. Karen
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Hello All!
What a fabulous thread! I need "quit smoking" support in the worst way!
I just learned that I am BRCA 2 positive with the recommendation being prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. That hit me like a ton of bricks...I spent 2 weeks researching options and just when I finally came to sort of an 'acceptance' and narrowed down the procedure I would like, I learned that I would have to quit smoking in order to have the DIEP procedure. I suppose that would be common sense, but being that I haven't been thinking clearly lately it just simply never occurred to me. So naturally, what do I do? I am smoking more.... My personal life is on the rocks with zero emotional support, my job is very stressful and I have a young child. I am almost 46, started smoking around age 14 and never quit - not even for one measly day! I am terrified....
I've read books that indicate one needs to quit at least 6 weeks prior to the surgery, yet when I visit websites of plastic surgeons, most are saying 6 months. That terrifies me even more and am now feeling even more like a loser. I am hoping and praying for some words of wisdom!
God bless to all!
Lisa
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Welcome Lisa. You can do it!!
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Lisa
You have come to the right place for support for your quit.
There will be many coming here to help you and offer advice. Our resident 'quit mom' is Seaside and she's fabulous. She has all the info at her finger tips.
I couldn't get TRAM or DIEP because my PS refuses to do any tummy tucks on any smoker so I went for the tissue expander and implants. Funny though, I quit smoking the day of my BMX surgery and have been quit almost 6 months. Actually I think you can have the DIEP later but I'm not sure about that one.
Have you tried the patches, Chantix, gum, lozenges? There are alot of aids out there to help you quit. One of our members (VJ) is a tobacco cessation specialist and she has a workbook she shares with us. (Seaside had a copy and knows where it is)...:) (Sorry Jennifer but I know you have this stuff handy)
Post often and you will get alot of help from us.
Jan
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Welcome Lisa65inNY...
I am from NY, almost 50, started smoking around age 13 and, like you, never quit for even one measly day... UNTIL Jan 18, 2010. I, like you, was terrified! I finally reached the point where I really wanted to quit, did a LOT of preparation and getting a plan together and did it!!! I NEVER thought I could but celebrated 1 year smoke-free this past January.
You are correct in that any of the reconstructions that require micro-surgery, such as DIEP, will require a period of total abstinence from any nicotine for a period of time before and after surgery. It seems to vary in length based on individual surgeons. Most commonly, I have seen 6-8 weeks before and 6-8 weeks after but, as I said, it varies with the surgeon.
Best advice I can give is to read back through some of this thread... Lots of good ideas and tips...
There is a woman named VJ who posts here from time to time.. She is a smoking cessation professional and has offered her workbook that she uses for the classes she teaches, free of charge, to any woman from this thread who requests it. All you have to do is e-mail her. She posted her e-mail a ways back but, I can probably find it of you want. LOTS of great information there starting from how to get motivated, how to get a plan in place, etc....
Look forward to hearin more from you!! Lots of really great support here!
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See Jennifer: I KNEW you would have the info
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Lisa, you have found the right place. If anyone had told me that after 30+ years smoking I could just quit I never would have believed them. This is my first serious attempt and I am definitely a non-smoker of 6 weeks. I can't imagine having a cigarette again. The first week is the toughest, you will need plenty to do to keep yourself busy. Exercise is a great aid, and you will have the added bonus of seeing added stamina and less difficulty catching your breath. Drink plenty of water too. I used VJ's booklet too. We are all here to support you. Karen
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LOL Jan....
See... we all work so well together!! I was just reading your post and thought it was like you had already read mine
Edited to add: great minds think alike!!0 -
Bama,
Good to hear from you! How are you doing? You hanging in there all right?
Jennifer
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Hi, my email address is VJSL8@CS.COM or send me a PM. I just need your regular email address and I'll send anyone on this list a copy of my workbook-no strings, no spam, just want to help.
I'm in Arizona right now doing free quit clinics in Gilbert, Marana and Tucson--open to the public if anyone lives here. Here are locations:
https://www.freequitclinic.com/gq-clinic-events.aspx
I'm also doing the ones in New Mexico in May. Have a joyous day!
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Hi Lisa,
I just wanted to say Hi, and welcome, before I went to bed.... I was a long time smoker, (27 years) and I am now on day 18 (I believe) smoke free. I use the patch and have had great success and minimal side effects. Getting ready to step down on my dose next week and feeling quite confident.
You can do this. We are all here to help each other. Get a plan together first, Read VJ's workbook, and post here. We are all cheering you on!!
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Lisa, this is the right place to be. These gals have helped me stay on track. It has been 9-1/2 months for me, which is a long time for me. I had an 18 month quit once but fell off the wagon when I got PO'd at my then DH. Stupid, stupid. I can honestly say that the smell of smoke grosses me out now. For the first couple months, I used to just inhale deeply and enjoy the second hand smoke but now, it stinks. I am a non smoker. WooHoo!
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I've had the stomach bug for a couple of days, ugh, but other than that doing ok. Drug myself to doc appt yesterday. No new news, everything hinges on path from surgery next week before we know what we do about the newest cancer.
I got my quit email this morning: 209 days quit and $795 saved. Woo hoo!
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Welcome Lisa, after smoking for close to 40 years (I'm 51...) I quit the night before my surgery. My BS & PS said the type of reconstruction surgery would be limited due to my years of smoking. BUT, they did not hold up the surgery, they knew from the look on my face that I thought they were out of their minds to ask me to stop smoking after the diagnosis and impending surgery. The one thing that has helped keep me on track; during this entire process, all the testing & scans show that my lungs and heart are clear. Holy crap, I still can't get over it, this has got to be some kind of miracle...I just can't throw this away!! I just hope that my DH will also join me...
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Wow, thank you all for your quick responses and encouragement!!! Finally a place I feel like I can be accepted! I am going to ask for that workbook now and come up with some sort of strategy. I am going to see the b/s on Friday and find out what she has to say about the smoking. I just know that I will feel worse if I settle for anything less than what I really want (at least what I THINK I really want - lol - which is the DIEP) because of these stupid cigarettes that seem to have identified me as a person!! I would really hate to look back and say, "I had X or Y procedure done instead because I couldn't quit smoking" Maybe I just have to repeat that to myself over and over....
Congrats to all of you who have quit so far! I hope to be there with you!!!
Lisa
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Lisa, just keep looking at that small white cylinder and think of how it rules your life. Now it's trying to make medical decisions for you. You can do it, I never thought I had the will power to do it, but I'm 6 weeks smokefree. Karen
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I also thought I could never quit, and believe me, I have tried SO many times. My biggest motivator was the smell I noticed after I quit... I am so embarrassed to know just how bad I smelled all these years, especially at my kids school functions. I had my grandson this weekend, (my daughter smokes) and I immediately put him in the tub and re-washed his clean cloths and coat because even the clean cloths smelled like cigarettes. You can do it Lisa, and we are all here for you.
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Sweet, how ya feeling hon? When is your last tx?
I've been praying you get well soon!
Jan
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Oh Sweet...
I do SO know what you mean.... My (teen-age) son would just beg me not to smoke in the house because all of his clothes smelled like smoke and all of his friends parents thought HE smoked because of it...
He was so embarassed by that but, I think he was even more upset by the fact that, because I was his Mom, he felt he had to defend me even though he just hated what I was doing! He was/is my biggest fan and the one that wanted me to quit the most!!!
I still don't really find fresh smoke to be bothersome but it is really amazing how you can smell it on people's clothes and at the entrance to buildings... And here I thought I had everyone fooled into thinking I didn't smoke just because I did not smoke around them... Haa!
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One last thing tonight...
Tomorrow is the first appointment for me in a flurry of 2-year anniversary doctor's appointments. I meet with my breast surgeon who will then order my bi-lateral mammo and ultrasound. Not sure if that will be followed by an MRI or if that will be in the fall....
Not having any problems other than, what I presume to be Tamoxifen stiffness, that I know of but these appointments always freak me out a bit.... For those of you that pray, if you could just say a quick prayer for me, I would so appreciate it!
Goodnight all!
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Seaside, the appointments always freak me out too, prayers and thoughts coming your way from WNY. Hugs, Karen
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Jennifer:
I will pray that you have a wonderful appointment!!!!
Good luck to you!!!
I see my BS the end of March for 6 mo checkup with a chest xray..oncologist is in June.
Jan
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OK... Actually one last thing tonight...
Bama,
Blech...So sorry that you've had the stomach bug!
I am kind of wondering if we may be gearing up for a bit of that here since my husband is experiencing what we shall call.. 'abdominal discomfort" tonight. He's gone to bed but really wasn't feeling well beforehand.
Know that we ALL will be thinking about you next week!!! Congrats on over 200 days and almost $800 saved!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers!!!
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SS, (((HUGS))))).
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Prayers sent up that you have good doctor's visits/results, Seaside! Watch that DH, that's where my bug came from!0
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Jan,
I have Herceptin tomorrow, then next week will be the final blow. So probably right around St Patricks day.
Jennifer,
Praying for a good check up today!!
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Had the stomach bug also, all weekend, got it from my grandchild. I slept through most of Sat. and Sun. Seaside, hope the Dr's visit was a good one. Karen
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Just a quick pop-in to let you all know that, other than my blood pressure being a bit high in the doctor's office, everything went well. Nurse said, hmmm, your blood pressure is a bit high are you nervous.... Geez, ya, think??!
Mammo and Ultrasound scheduled for 4/4... NO MRI until October...Yeah!
My husband seems to be feeling a bit better today. I stopped at the store and grabbed some pepto-bismal to see if that would help but, he seems to have come around and won't need it... I did notice that much of that shelf in the store was pretty picked over so it seems that there is something definitely going around...
Bama,
DH slept in the guest room last night specifically because he wasn't feeling well... It was something that we started when I was going through treatment and couldn't really afford to be exposed to someone who was ill.... I thought that was sweet.. Here's hoping that it works and I don't catch it...
Sweet,
Thinking of you tomorrow during your Herceptin infusion.. I don't know much about Herceptin but I HOPE that it isn't something that makes you sick again when you've barely recovered from your last chemo...
I know that the prospect of that final chemo is probably weighing heavily on you but, hopefully the reduced dose will help! Please know that, while I wish you didn't have to go through this, we are ALL here, praying that this last one goes smoothly! Lord, knows you deserve a break!
Karen,
Glad to hear you are on the mend.... I am HOPING for a pass on this one but, we shall see.... Those stomach bugs seem to be soooo contagious... I guess I will know in a day or so..... YUCK!
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i feel miserable...i believe my god complex kicked in and i totally discounted the effect of the narcotic nicotine on my brain- real or peceived...this was the first time i ever tried to quit..i am having a cigarette rightnow.and i feel like a junkie but i didnot want a pill. I have truly been insane like i never imagined. Didn't even see it coming. I have Carrs book and aill do it again-for it made sense...i am being honest here,,,i was tempted for two minutes not to admit i smoked right this minute-but if i cannot be honest here than what is the point? i am too had on myself on the perfection point which is a joke as I am so not perfect. The vitual ease in quitting afte 40 years should have given me an inkling that there was going to be a rough patch...anyway, i now my head hurts but like a junkie i am calmer...i need excerecise to flood the endorhins-that is the only time in my life when i eve cut way down was when i was working out regularly...had just started back last year when the BC appeared.,..ah, at least I know I can and will do it...but i ealize eveything has its time...a week to surgery,,,,i hate being perceived as weak....i am simply appalled at the crap I have been spewing out in emotion these pas 24 hours....wouldhvebeen 7 days at 1230am this morning. But hey, i didnt ride bike the firstt ime out. Dont abandon me-i will do it when not eveything is coming to a head...thank you all for understanding i have clay feet and how hard that is to admit.
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My blood pressure was high last time at the BS and the nurse said the same thing, I think it starts climbing the closer I get to the appt. time. Sending a gentle hug your way Sweet. Karen
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