Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Bama,
I was thinking about you!!!
Glad to hear that you are home and that, so far, the results have been good! Waiting on the pathology is hard but, hopefully the pain meds will allow you to sleep and the time will pass quickly!
Praying for you every day!!!
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Here is one of the responses I received to a request for research re: anxiety and quitting:
"I haven't conducted research on this, but we've had dozens of anxiety disorder patients on Chantix (only a few with agoraphobia, but every other anxiety diagnosis, mainly GAD, Panic disorder, PTSD, etc). I just saw a new anxious person yesterday and we're prescribing Chantix along with group counseling. Overall our Chantix results (along with group or individual counseling) are very solid. Maybe a slightly lower quit rate with anxious folks, but not sure this would be statistically significant - still very positive. On a number of occasions, we've referred some of these folks to co-occurring behavior health/psychiatry/family docs for additional counseling and/or meds (or encourage them to use the meds they have - antianxiety meds, but are not using currently for whatever reason). We've also found that the short acting NRT, particuarlrly inhaler, lozenge, gum, can help provide some relief/soothing from anxiety instead of their "old crutch." At times, our counseling is adjusted to include more cognitive restructuring, self-soothing, relaxation training, assertiveness training, and some mindfulness concepts when needed."
I hope this helps. VJ
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debbie6122,
Thanks for popping over to check on me! I had started to post over on the dinner thread and then thought better of it. Didn't want to ruin anyone's appetite
Glad to hear that you had something similar and it was benign! The doctor is leaning that way for now with me saying that Tamoxifen can cause a layer of benign cystic tissue to form just under the lining layer giving the illusion that the lining itself is thickened. I will be having a sonohysterography (whew, had to look that one up) on Tuesday. He seems to think they will get a better picture with that.
If it turns out to be anything else, I will then have the D&C done.
Geez, can it get any any more fun than this?!
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Lisa,
I liked Karen's suggestion alot! Try breaking the whole process down into small steps that you feel you can do. I think as you take those small steps and are successful, your confidence will build and the fear will lessen.
We are all different in what works, but I used that approach all during my diagnosis and treatment. If I just looked at the next thing that I had coming up, it was manageable. It was when I looked at the whole year that I was facing that it became overwhelming and terror set in.
I think you have taken a really good step in seeing what your doctors recommend. (See, you've already taken one step)... I found that my doctors were very supportive and I think were happier than I was when I finally quit.
Hang in there!
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Karen,
SOOO sorry that I somehow managed to miss your quit-aversary!!
Better late than never!!Congratulations on 2 MONTHS!!!! Keep it going!!
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Hmmm, I am really losing it!! I almost missed my OWN quit-aversary... lol
From my e-mail today....
Your Quit Date is: Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:01:00 AM
Time Smoke-Free: 423 days, 18 hours, 18 minutes and 42 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 8475
Lifetime Saved: 2 months, 4 days, 17 hours
Money Saved: $4,070.40Hope you all have a great day!!!!
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Seaside- Is that your child and dog? That has got to be the cutest picture ever, you should put it on a postcard. "Love it"
Yay, on the quit-aversary!!! Its somthing to be proud of- 3 years for me!
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debbie6122,
Wish I could take credit for it but, it was from google images!! I agree, though, it made me go aaaaawwwwww!
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Seaside: Congrats!!! With all that money saved, let's have a big party
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Bama, nothing but R +R this weekend for you, sending prayers your way. Karen
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Seaside, I lost track too, has it been two months already? Boy, I'm doing good, thanks for the congratulations and that is an impressive amount of time you have saved. Your lungs must be squeeky clean. Thanks too, for being the record keeper on this thread, you have got a great memory to track all of us.
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My mastectomy is scheduled for March 28. I really want to quit smoking before surgery. I have 2 cigarettes left and I am going to try to quit "cold turkey". Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you!
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Bama,
I'm ALWAYS up for a good party but, we'll hold off till we get you healed up! After that, LOOK out!!! How you feeling today?
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Welcome Babsbling!!
I sure will remember you in my prayers!
Quitting can be rough BUT it is so worth it. I would recommend that, when you get some time, you try to read back a ways in this thread. Get a feel for what worked or didn't for all of the ladies here. Everyone is different and what works for one may not for another but, it will give you kind of an idea on what to try!
Welcome aboard!
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Thank you so much Seaside. I will do just that. I need all the help I can get!
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I have a gripe and this is the only place I felt someone would 'get it'.
I have been a non-smoker for just over 22 months...
My mom calls from Hawaii and says 'I put $175 in your paypal account, please go to the reservation and buy 3 cartons of the light green American Spirit cigs for me and ship them to my friend ..." Stupid me I did not say no! So I buy the smokes, remove the packs from the carton for ease in shipping and ship them to Hawaii.
I bought the wrong color/flavor!!! So I now have 3 cartons of non-exchangeable cig's that I do not want and I am expected to buy three cartons of the correct color/flavor!!! I am PO'd and don't have $$$ to throw around to correct this 'favor' for my mom, I cannot reach her to get this resolved!!!! I do not feel that I should have to eat this expense because I was told the lightest green pack when I should have been told the lime green pack. I totally get not wanting the wrong kind, I was adamant about my particular brand and would not smoke anything else. I just wish I had just said 'NO' int the first place so I am kicking myself in the butt for not being strong and mad at the whole situation. Plus this is a temptation I just don't need. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
If I have a yard sale can I resale these smokes without getting arrested????
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Babsbling, welcome aboard. This is a great site with wonderful women who will truly support you in your journey of quiting. It is definitely hard but as they say in other threads it is doable. I was a 30 years plus, a pack and a half a day smoker, it was my first concerted try and I just passed my two month quit anniversary! You do get cravings but with the help of the women here you get the tools you need to stay smokefree. For ex. I had a day not too long ago, that was chock full of cravings, I went to bed at 9, cause you don't have cravings when you sleep, I went for a walk, I exercized on my stationary bike, plus I came here for added suggestions on how to get thru that kind of day. And the suggestions were numerous and quick. It is a truly great support system. Again welcome, will loo forward to your posts. Karen
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o2bhealthy, I don't blame you for being pissed off. I hate it when I get roped into doing something I don't want to do because I can't think of a way out fast enough. An hour later I can think of a dozen reasons. At the reservation near my hometown, you can exchange if you have the receipt and tell them you got the wrong kind. But if that is not the policy at yours that doesn't help. Don't know if you can sell at a yard sale, but I suspect not, as that would be considered resale. If you did and did not get caught that would be OK, but I don't know about you but I generally follow Murphy's Law. Karen
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((((( Michelle)))))),
What the heck is it about dealing with our parents that makes us feel like we are 5 years old again???! I battle the same thing at times. The reason you DIDN'T say no is that she's your mother!!
I know I had a particular brand that I smoked BUT I also know that, if push came to shove, I would have smoked rolled up pine needles if they contained nicotine. You tried to do her a favor and it didn't work out (Maybe a good thing??? Bet she won't ask again...lol) seems like she could be woman enough just smoke what you bought but, I know people don't always step up and do what's right.
As far as selling them... I'm not sure what they actual laws are on that but I do know Craig's List has some unusual items listed... Wouldn't surprise me if there were cigs listed on there.
Do you actually have them at your house?? May want to put them under lock and key where you can't get to them!!!
Hang in there!
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Michelle,
I would send them out anyway. You said your mom is unreachable right... so send them out. You bought what she told you to buy.
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I love you guys!!! I have just been sitting at work simultaneously kicking my self in the butt and ranting and raving in my head "I just want these DAMN cigarettes GONE!!!!"
I knew you would get it...
Thank you so much for talking me down from my ledge! Unfortunately I am one of those people who will make it right. I am hoping my mom will step up and reimburse me for the expense to purchase the correct type. My mom does smoke this brand but she smokes the yellow box. I cannot in good conscious leave my mom's friend hanging even though it was just a basic communication error.
Yes Seaside they need to be locked away! It's funny I really haven't had any cravings for the longest time but now that they are accessible I am jonesing pretty bad. I will be strong! I will not cave! I can do this!
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{{{MICHELLE}}} You can resist!! Sorry you are having to deal with this.
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OK Ladies..... veeeeery quiet here! Hope everyone is doing well!!
Jan508,
Been a bit over a week since the "twins" were born and we haven't heard from you lately! Hope all is continuing to go well for you!!!!
((Sweet)),
You had your LAST chemo 4 days ago so, from the past, if you're going to feel yucky, it's about now. Know that I am thinking of you and hoping that, this last one isn't as bad as the others!!
(((Karen333))),
I know that Sundays are a hard day for you! Hoping that today you began your writing to your godmother and that it was an easier day for you than last week! Please know as well, that if you would like to talk about her, we are here to listen!
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Seaside, you brought me to tears, you are so kind. I did OK up till about an hour ago, read, worked on my journaling, haven't ridden my bike yet, took a 1 hr. nap, (can't smoke when you're sleeping),been on the computer a little, watched some of my favorite TV shows. Now it is hitting me, it takes a lot to make me cry, but this is a lot. She was the most fantastic lady, liberal,cool, wearing jeans and her sneakers, always put her makeup on if we were going anywear in the car, 87 year old. We would get so caught up in talking, one time it took us 7 hours to get from Pittsburg to Conneautville, we were talking and laughing and smoking I kept circling Pittsburg, it's all of a 2 1/2 hour drive. We stopped at a really nice diner somewhere around Pittsburg, to use the bathroom and have coffee and a donut. She made friends with the waitress and by the time we left everyone knew our story, we all laughed and the customers wished us luck finding our way home. She would make me laugh so hard , I'd have to run for the bathroom. When I got my diagnosis, she called me everyday, to hear about Dr. visits, tests...She was diagnosed with BC in 1984, radical mastectomy, no further treatment. I went with her to the prostheses clinic last year and this year and she got her new 2 Medicaid paid for bras, and she was thrilled, she'd just gush over the fitter. I have to stop, I'm crying really hard. Karen
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Hi Seaside, I had typed a post to you yesterday about my godmother and how my day went, but I was crying when I wrote it and ended deleting it. It was so kind of you to remember about my Sundays. Yesterday was better till the evening hours, I wrote in my journal in the A.M. anf focused on one of our typical adventures, a drive from her son's home in Pittsburgh to Conneautville Pa. - a 2+ 1/2 hour drive. We were talking non-stop and laughing and smoking for 5 hours, until I noticed I was simply driving aound the city and had not left Pittsbugh proper. Stopped at a diner to have coffee and a donut and to use the ladies' room. There were 2 policemen in there (absolute truth), I started giggling over that. She told all the patrons and the waitress the story and then we were all laughing, did get directions from the policemen, in fact they drove ahead of us to where we needed to get on the expressway. We were 5 minutes away from my cousin's house at that point! We did get home, promising to never tell that story because we would get teased like crazy. 7+1/2 hours to make a 2+1/2 hour drive. We told on ourselves eventually and got teased unmercilessly. We had had an adventure, at one point we were in Ohio, I have no idea how I got there or got out of there. I was laughing so hard at one point ,that I was crying. She was a true delight, witty, always willing to laugh at her faux-pas,her title for Two and a Half Men, and she really thought it was the title, was Two men and a Boy, close no cigar. I didn't have trouble with smoking today, I am just truly grieving over losing her. She had BC in 1984, had a radical mastectomy, no further treatment, when I got my Dx, she was there for me, on the phone each day, I had to explain the tests, what doctors said, how I was coping...She was unconditional love to me and I will miss her so much. Karen
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Karen: You made me laugh. We miss those we love so much, but keep your good memories. My mother always screwed up the names of TV shows, musical groups, you name it. We used to roll on the floor laughing at her when we were kids. She told us one time that Johnny Carson was having a mystery musical guest (it was the band Guess Who). She liked these two shows in the 60s, one called Then Came Bronson and one called Bracken's World. She'd say, "oh, look, it's time for Here Comes Bracken to come on."0
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Bama, what is really scarey is that I am now doing so many things I used to laugh at my mother doing! I very purposely get up from the couch and walk into the kitchen and have no idea why I am there. Karen
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karen333,
Glad to hear that, overall, your Sunday was better than last week even though the night was hard! Little steps....
Those quiet hours at night or early in the morning are most often the most difficult because I think it is, then, that we are still and our thoughts and feelings take over...
Loved the story about your trip!! Too funny!!! I can see why you miss her so much.. The best friends are the ones who can make you laugh till your sides hurt and where you can share an experience that, even though it didn't go quite the way you planned, you look back and think... WOW... What a GREAT day that was!!!
If what you posted is any indication, you write very well and I think documenting your journey through grief will be helpful to you and a beautiful tribute to her memory!
I look forward to any other stories that you woud be kind enough to share.
Sending you a HUGE hug.... Hang in there!
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Good evening all:
Boy I have so much catching up to do. Had a really busy weekend, the weather was gorgeous. My DH did his first art show of the season (check out his work on southerndigitalart.com
Went to PS today and we discussed possible fat grafting in a couple of months if my 'girls' don't fall the way I like them. It seems the BS takes extra stuff from the cancer side so the implants are exact, but they can fix them with fat grafting...whoo hoo...lipo that belly babe!!! I have to wait one more week to go to the gym so I think I'm going to take a couple of months off and let things settle down.
I'll go back and read when I get a chance, but congratulations to all and keep up the good work. I wish y'all quick recovery and good test results.
Hey, yesterday was 6 months for me!!!! Wow!!!!
Jan
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Bama,
Still remembering you in my prayers as you wait on your pathology results!! Sending NOTHING but good thoughts your way!!
Tomorrow is my "specialized" ultrasound to get a better look at what is really going on with the lining of my uterus. NOT looking forward to it at all but, the upside is, that I should have my results during my appointment so I know what I am dealing with tomorrow... I think I have decided that, if they see anything 'abnormal' I will most likely have it all out....
Huggggssss!
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