Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
-
Good morning ladies...just decided to check and see how you all are. Mainly because I know how difficult this is to do. Sometimes I actually get amused at how easy quitting this habit sounds and think some of the advice is given by someone who was never addicted to anything. It is extremely difficult to do this and is I think worse than heroin.
My mother quit -- cold turkey, as did my Dad....as well as my husband. In those days ( about the same time fire was discovered ) they did not have pills or gum, or any of the devices that came out much later. As I had tried a number of times before.....I knew cold turkey probably wouldn't work for me though I think there is something to be said for those who do it that way. I imagine it to be easier not to re-start, but don't really know that.
Just hang in there....quitting smoking is like lining up your kids and trying to decide which one to give up --- which do you like least. It is very difficult to give up the best friend you ever had----the one that never turned on you, said anything bad about you, comforted you through every tear you ever cried, celebrated everything you have, and made you feel calmer after every storm and upset. I enjoyed every cigarette I ever smoked but now I just enjoy.
I'm still pulling for you. Yours is a super difficult task.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 -
Mornin ladies-
2new- Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how I look at it, I cannot tell you if I experience skin irritation with the patch. That would be because it isn't on my body! Turns out that my blood counts completely tanked last week. So no chemo was allowed for me yesterday Boy was I EVER bummed! Now instead of only one left on the 27th, I have 2 left with last being May 4th.
On the bright (?) side, I will be going to the Dr. with my parents on Monday for his lung cancer prognosis and I will now be much more "present" then had I had chemo yesterday. I have 5 sibs but I have inherited the NOT coveted title of family cancer expert so I will surely understand more of what they are being told. Truly brighter is that I can now drum up deserved excitement for my daughter's wedding shower a week from tomorrow. There was this feeling that it would take me till Thursday to have any energy to put toward that. Now, I will be able to fully enjoy the planning week.
Sooo, I figure I am perfectly entitled to push my quit date to my next chemo on the 27th. I'm thinking my sisters here would agree right????
Have a few hours of warm weather before the rain arrives this afternoon so I am out to do whatever gardening this body can endure. Must wear those gloves as any cuts would have me bleeding like crazy. Apparently, that's what happens with low blood platlets. I surely DO NOT need that.
Have a wonderful day my friends,
xoEllen
0 -
Hi everyone....decided to just take a peek and see how you were all doing. I wrote what I thought was a really nice note, spell-checked....and then forgot to hit the submit button. Aaaaaarrrrrrrgggg.
It is hard to be hard on yourself when you are up against something like this addiction. As mentioned before, I never could have done it w/o the Zyban. Years before, everyone I knew quit the old-fashioned way --- total and complete will-power. I can take all kinds of pain and distress and have, but in this case I was a total gutless wonder. Turned me into a quivering mass of nerve ends everywhere. I had access to money and a store and knew just how to get myself out of my misery and wasted no time.
So just keep on trying. Giving up smoking is like lining up your kids to decide which one you no longer want.....which one do you love a little less. You are trying to give up the one thing in life that has been completely consistent and has never let you down, never lied about you, never made you feel in-secure and who always soothed you whether you were right or wrong. Picked you up when you were feeling tired or down and helped you stay up when you were that way too. Right there to enjoy a night on the town with you, or an afternoon ballgame with friends, Always there every morning to share coffee with you. Spent time with you after every meal and put you to sleep at night.
I think about that saying " No one said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it ". I'm still pulling for all of you. It is not easy, but it is definitely worth it.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 -
IllinoisLady - You said, "It is very difficult to give up the best friend you ever had----the one that never turned on you, said anything bad about you, comforted you through every tear you ever cried, celebrated everything you have, and made you feel calmer after every storm and upset." I totally agree...you hit the nail right on the head! Thanks!
REKoz - Sorry about your blood counts! I'm sure your feeling bummed. Maybe planning your daughters wedding shower will lift your spirits! I'll be thinking of you and your family on Monday and hoping everything will be okay.
Janzin - Hey! How are ya?
candie1971 - How are you doing?
Hope all of you ladies are having a great day! <HUGS>
0 -
2newboobs.iliinoislady,rekoz: I am on 29 1/2 hours and no cigarette. I felt dizzy at times today...I have done this cold turkey before so I dont know where the dizziness is coming in.
Illinoislady, I totally agree with what u said
Rekoz,have fun planning your daughter's wedding shower
2newboobs, not liking this quitting thing...I dont want to quit...I feel like I am doing this kicking and screaming.
ok, goodnite girls
0 -
Candie, taking up walking is a great idea. It is my savior. I make sure that I take the time to walk 4 miles every day. I am blessed to live in a place where the weather is always nice but treadmills work great too. When I am exceptionally moody, my dh will bring out the dogs leashes and my walking shoes and tell me to leave, because he knows that I always come back in a better mood. Set some good tunes on your mp3 player, and GO! Good luck with your quitting.
Ellen, I am praying for your dad. Try to enjoy yourself at your daughter's wedding shower. It is a very special time for your whole family.
Janzin, I hope you didn't get too buried in work and snow!
2newboobs, I hope you are feeling better and the cyst is subsiding.
It is beautiful day here in Naples. My sister is in town and we were up until the wee hours of the morning laughing our butts off. My dh is being wonderful and acting like our host (cooking, mixing cocktails.......he even CLEANED). Boy, I am sure I will owe him for this one, but I do appreciate the break.
I wish you all a great week. Walk, breath but DON'T SMOKE.......except for me, I will be smoking until May....heehee......
Ellie
0 -
Ellie, youwalk 4 miles per day and you smoke??? You dont get out of breath? Enjoy your sister's visit and wow...what a cool husband!!! Good for you!!
I am gonna start walking but it will take me a lil at a time to get o your 4 miles..lol.
I am gonna start today with my ipod....as long as there is music Ican do allmost anything.
Enjoy!!!
hugs and prayers,
candie
0 -
flfish - Thanks, the cyst isn't as painful so maybe the antibiotic is kicking in. So glad your having such a good time with your sister! Sounds like fun...and with hubby acting as host it can't get much better!
candie1971 - I understand not liking the quitting thing. It totally sucks when you enjoy smoking! They say the first couple of weeks are the worst, so hang in there! Easier said than done, I know! I've tried to quit several times, but never made it past 5 days. So, all I can do is keep trying until I get it right.
I feel so weak when it comes to quitting smoking. My cigs have such a strong hold on me, one that is almost impossible for me to break. I feel like I need my cigs to get through the day. Not only do I need them, I still want them. It's a horrible addiction! I still enjoy smoking (very much), but have hoped there would come a day when I wouldn't enjoy it anymore....no such luck! Quitting (for me) won't happen unless I become stronger and try to kick this addiction....it has to be something I really want and am determined to do. I'm getting there slowly, very slowly!
Have a wonderful day ladies <HUGS>
0 -
Candie- You are my hero- 29 1/2 hours is awesome...goodness. that was 14 hours ago. you are at 43 1/2 now, right???
I am so proud of you.
mb
0 -
Hi Ladies, sorry I haven't been around. Exhausted!!! Will catch up later but wishing you all the best!
Janet0 -
candie - how are you today?
noble - doing okay on Chantix?
Hope everyone has a wonderful day!
0 -
HI Ladies, love seeing all of you here working it! I am still exhausted from working 14 to 16 hour days without any breaks. Friday and Saturday I didn't even have time to eat. And I won't get a real break till July 1st. But the good news is that I had the largest tournament ever for my biz with over 320 competitors. When my ex ran the biz, our largest count was 146. That snow storm really messed me up, had 100's of call asking me if I was still doing the tournament and my answer was yes. Had a lot of no shows because of the roads but I think at least 80% showed up. Now that my event is over, I am starting my chantix tonight!
2NewBoobs, I used to drink and quit drinking for over 10 years. It wasn't hard for me to quit drinking because it was more of a weekend thing and I worked in bars so I may drink at work. Quitting drinking at work was tough though but wasn't too bad, never felt anger or depression, in fact I felt good. After 2 years of sobriety, I quit smoking and that floored me as that was my drug of choice. I went into a huge depression. I started drinking and smoking again on the day I got dumped from my ex. I had thought that I was this crazy drinker but now I realized it was center around my life style and now I don't drink too often, not every day and sometimes and when I do sometimes it is just a glass of wine. Congrats on your 10 years, that is so huge!!!! Congrats on your days of smoke free. Dizziness may be living life without your best friends, it is common to have panick attacks too when quitting but that will pass, take deep breaths and give yourself over to your higher power, whoever that may be, suit up and show up and the rest will fall in place. I got dizzy spells after quitting cigs too.
Got to go, friend missed their flight,catch up with you later.
Best Janet0 -
Janzin, what kind of tournament did u have?
ok now at 72 hours. I have read that the first 3 days are the hardest physically so I have gotten this far. I hope I can keep it up. Part of me is upset that I am doing this as I really like to smoke. I was starting get out of breath going up a flight of stairs sometimes...today I did well, much better. Wow, can that happen already..in just 3 days!!! I havent had a chance to walk yet...today is a nasty rainy day.
tomorrow I have my wrist surgery.
hugs and prayers,
candie
0 -
candie - WOW! 72 HOURS.....THAT'S GREAT!!! YOU GO GIRL! I'll be thinking about you tomorrow; please let us know how your doing when you can.
Janzin - Sorry your so exhausted. Wishing you luck with the Chantix!
REKoz - How are you? Have been thinking of you and your family today.
Hope everyones having a good day. <HUGS TO ALL>
0 -
Hi....I'm still checking in on all of you. Candie, you are really doing well. Here's something that I found for all of you.....no matter how you are quitting:
And this is how the body starts to heal itself when you quit smoking:
- 20 minutes after quitting: The increased blood pressure and heart beat/pulse rate return to normal levels.
8 hours after quitting: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop by 50%. And blood oxygen level returns to normal.
24 hours after quitting: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body. And lungs begin to clear out the mucus and other leftover debris from smoking.
48 hours of quitting: Nicotine is completely out of your system. Your taste buds and olfactory nerves start functioning, improving your sense of smell and taste.
72 hours after quitting: Bronchial tubes begin to relax and breathing becomes less restrained. As a result, your energy levels increase.
2-12 weeks: Blood circulation improves and lung function begins to improve too, initiating the risk for heart attack to drop.
3 months after quitting: Fertility starts improving.
3-9 months: Lung function is enhanced by 10%, resulting in relief from cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and other breathing problems.
1 year after quitting: Risk for developing coronary heart disease is reduced to half.
5 years after quitting: Risk of heart attack becomes half. And the risk for stroke becomes comparable to that faced by a non-smoker.
10 years after quitting: The risk for various cancers (lung, oral, throat, esophagus, etc.) decreases. Yes, it takes that long for cancer risk to reduce, but the risk of heart attack becomes the same as for someone who never smoked.
Hope you all keep up the good work.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 - 20 minutes after quitting: The increased blood pressure and heart beat/pulse rate return to normal levels.
-
Hello Everyone,
Janzin you keep me laughing thanks. 2newboobs, fifis candie, mscruggs. Illionois lady and to all who come to this site thanks.
Questions chemo and smoking does it cause cancer? or does the chemo not work?
Treatment #2- I am on taxotere I didn't smoke for the first 10 days afte chemo but my constipation was so bad that I finally did when all else failed and I mean all else failed. I loved that earlier story it meee...... I go for #3 in a couple of hours and I have smoked maybe 2 cigs a day for the last 7 days. Last time the Onoc was really upset with me for even having one cig. After reading above I am wondering am I giving myself lung cancer right now. I am taking chantix no caffeine makes me nausea most of the time with chemo, And like I say I quit for 10 days straight both times now and go back not because i can even taste it because it truly seems to get the constipation moving. the more hair loss and insurance bills have really just depressed me.
My insurance said they would cover the network Dr but they didn't have a PS or Breast surgeron in my area so they ok the Drs I could find and now they are only paying them 5% of their bill the rest is on me over 50K.
I know everyone else has a lot going on and I am so sorry to hear about your father and best friend and I'm so pulling for you to be together for your daughters wedding.
Thanks you wonderful ladies, I have read all the emails and send you hugs every day.
A positive week thru the rain, it's just God washing away the bad cells
malle
0 -
Goodmorning ladies!
malle - I don't know the answer to your questions as I haven't had chemo, but I'm sure someone else will respond. I'm sorry that your going through a difficult time and hope your better soon. Yeah, some of these insurance companies really suck! Have you looked for a PS or BS that's in the network, but outside of your area?
Hoping all of you a having a nice week!
0 -
Candie--I hope you are doing well with your quitting. Yes, I do walk 4 miles a day, and I do not get out of breath. I have always been active, so maybe that helps. I golf too, and I walk the course....and I smoke between holes....heehee........just terrible of me I guess.
Malle-I can't help with the chemo question, because like 2newboobs, I was fortunate enough not to have to go through that.
Janzin, good luck with the Chantix. Wow, you quit drinking for 10 years? That is fantastic. A couple years back, I quit for one year. I did it because I was in a healthy, work out stage of my life (although I still smoked, go figure?). You guys are right in my book, quitting drinking was MUCH easier for me than quitting smoking. I think that is because when others were drinking, I would still sit and sip soda, and I felt like I wasn't any different, but when others smoke and you can't, it is just so tough. In other words, I could still drink, it just would not have alcohol in it, but I can't still smoke without having the nicotine....does that make sense?
I hope all are doing well.
Ellie
0 -
Hi Ladies, still so tired and so much work to do but have a little more time this morning. I now know how some of you feel when you have been gone for awhile, lot of catching up to do. Running Jiu Jitsu tournaments is a lot of work, it takes me a few days to recover from it. Didn't start chantix yet because I was too tired to look for it, but will today! My office/bedroom is covered with paper work, looks like a tornado went through it.
MB, congrats on your 9 years of sobriety! I use to tell people I smoked so I wouldn't be perfect so they wouldn't hate me, lol. Glad you like my giggle fest picture, I can be such a dork. Sending you support for you quitting, got one down and one left to go. You can do it!!
Candie, glad to see you are back and working it. I was worried about you! 3 days are huge!!! Looking forward to hearing you get your week in. It will get better every day and pretty soon you won't even think about smoking!
Pantufas, glad your surgery went well! That is awesome news. Happy you like my humor, I try to laugh through the hard times and the good times. I had a slightly mentally retarded person on my staff. I didn't know by talking to him on the phone, just thought he was an older slow man. But he went to our weigh ins, I noticed there was all these cards torn up because he had a hard time writing the names on them. So the day of the tournament I gave him an easy job. I ran out of paper towels and grab some from the school concession stand and they told me to bring it back. I had him take pizza to all of my staff and when I got the paper towel back, it was covered in pizza juice on the bottom. I was like OH SHIT! I told one of my staff to return it bad side down, had to laugh about that one too.
REKoz, congrats on your 5 years of sobriety. Good luck with your chemo and quitting smoking. I had to push my date back too. But we will get there!! Good luck with your father and have a great time on at the shower, you deserve it!
Fifish, the snow had my tournament all jacked up. Had to drive in it and I am still a California driver. Had a lot of no shows to the tournament, will be going though results today and will find out how bad it was. I am going to start walking too, and eat better. Time to take care of oneself! I did the same thing when I quit drinking, always had a drink in my hand such as pineapple cranberry juice. I don't drink often but sometimes I can drink a lot when I do such as 7-8 shots in one night. So I am going to be quitting drinking to for a while because I can't drink and try not to smoke too.
Illinoislady, thank you so much for sharing your experience. We need support from the ex smokers just as much as the ones who are still trying to quit. You give us hope and strength. Warm hugs coming your way!
Malleme, welcome back!!! Missed you! Not sure about the chemo and smoking, heard it was a lot less effective so it's best to quit. Everyone has a theory on what gives you cancer, chocolate, MRI, stress, living by power plants, smoking, the list just goes on. Guess we can just try to do the best we can and live each day the best we can. I hope someone post an answer to your question. Sending you positive thoughts!
Well back to work, so tired. Looking forward to quitting and taking care of myself as I need all the energy I can get as my job will be pretty demanding for a while. I was so busy the day before the tournament that I didn't time to eat or do a number 2. Same thing the day of the tournament, too busy to eat or do a number 2. My staff was packing up my van after the tournament and I passed gas that was so horrible that everyone looked like they were going to gag, and being an honest person I took credit for it of course, lol.
Much love,
Janet0 -
Hey Ya'll! Still reading as much as I can with these horrible eyes, and trying to keep up with you. I'm so thrilled at the way you all have come together and formed such a great support group! You're amazing and wonderful and I'm so thankful for all of you! Keep up the great job!
Chantix, day one for me!
0 -
Malle: fight that insurance ruling. You can. And you can win. I had the same thing happen after miscarriage. My PCP wrote a letter to the insurance comparing the mileage and signifying his approval of my choice. Boom. Insurance paid.
As for chemo, the studies are inconclusive and there haven't been many. The first links I posted were about lung cancer patients and the finding that nicotine somehow protects the cancer cells during chemo. Nothing esle has really been done. It's risky, but we don't really know how risky or what kind of risks are involved.
0 -
Webwriter - Good luck with the Chantix! Keep us posted.
Well, today I had the cyst drained and packed (YUK). I know, it's gross! I'm typing while standing because I can't sit down right now; the numbing shot has wore off and I hurt! I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.
Thinking of you all!
Hope everyones having a good day!
0 -
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html
My cousin just told me about this site, sorry if someone posted it already. It is pretty interesting.
0 -
Hi Ladies,
I'm not posting 'cause I'm still smoking!
I'm too ashamed to be in your company. Will give it a genuine try before my chemo starts on May, 4th. Gotta luv ya! 
Nancy
P.S. I'm counting on your antics to cheer me up!
0 -
Hello Ladies! Beautiful day here in Denver. Good day for a hike if I wasn't smoking. My avatar was one of the 14ners here in Denver meaning at least 14,000 in elevation and they usually start around 7-8,000 feet. I was proud of myself that day as I could never of done a hike like that while I was still smoking. I like to do a few more in my lifetime!
Cherneski, thanks for that link, you are so right, my friend (cigs) will never let me hike and even though the cigs seem like your friend during stressful times, they are really your enemies.
Pantufas! I have missed you! Please keep posting, this thread would not be the same without you. I too am still smoking but we need to join cyber hands and quit this terrible habit! Just started Chantix last night, I think this might be the winner. Every month we get to process so much BC and put things behind us that eventually we will get there! I have just got pass the worst in BC and my tournament was a success! By the way, my last post had a bottom paragraph that I thought might get a smile out of you.
Webbie, glad to hear from you. We all thank you for starting this wonderful thread.
Malleme, I might have a problem with my insurance too. Keep us posted and I wish you well.
Fifish, REKoz, 2Newboobs, MB, always happy to hear from you.
Nobleanne, miss you, hope you are doing well.
Nervouknitter, miss you too and your funny stories and support. Hope you are doing well.
Candie, you must be on your 5th day? let us know how you are doing. Sending warm wishes your way.
IllinoisLady , once again thanks for your support. I am sure you will have some good tips for us and support since you have walked the walk. Thanks for being here.
I just wanted to add that in the last year and 1/2 on my divorce, everyone thought I would sink in business without my ex. I am one of the very few women promoters in the US and I also have a harder time gaining the same respect as a man. I just got paid a compliment last night from someone whom I didn't expect it from. He said that they were surprised how successful my tournament was and had thought I would sink without Mauricio. I had earned a lot of respect from people my last tournanent. I could of given up on some of my tournaments that didn't go well in the past, but I believed I would find a solution and that I could be successful if I kept trying. I am still not where I would like to be, but what I am saying is that we have more strength deep inside of us!!!!! So if we keep trying, we will all quit!!!
Best wishes,
Janet0 -
Pantufas, I am still smoking too, so don't be ashamed. We will get there. I will pull for you if you pull for me, ok?
Janet- you go girl. There is NO reason why you can't pull off these tournaments as well as a man, if not BETTER! Bless you for working with your mentally challenged worker, I am sure it made his day to have "jobs" to do. You will find they might not be able to handle as much work, but they will work HARDER than anyone else in the world.
Bless you all ladies!
Ellie
0 -
Fifish, you sure got that right. That poor guy took a bus and walked over 20 blocks in terrible weather conditions and showed up with a smile. He was so happy to be part of the event and I was happy to help him have a happy day. He is welcomed back any time. Though next time I will use my own paper towels, lol.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Take care ladies!0 -
Just had to say HI to all you great gals! Janzin, I am so impressed with your ability to acknowledge everyone. At my age I'd write the names all down and then misplace the note, so it still wouldn't work. Just know, though, that I do check the posts and think of all of you often. It's good to know who has a pain in the butt, whose butts are a pain, whatever. My three months of not smoking comes up next week. I still have days where I think I want one; then my Mom came by the other day and I could hardly get past the smell of the smokes to give her a hug.
Even if you're still puffing I hope you all keep in touch here. Getting ready to quit takes time--and it's so nice to be able to share with people who understand and aren't judgmental. Happy day to all!
Jill
0 -
hi just popped in to say hi...can't post much as I had wrist surgery the other day and too much to type w/one hand. Still not smoking...today is day 6 !! gosh how much i want a cig...but i gotta keep going...good luck to those who r trying...be back soon
hugs and prayers
0 -
You ladies leave me at a loss for words
. ( Did I hear a collective sigh of relief? ) You have probably figured out by now that I am bi-polar and have two distinct personalities. Nancy, the shy easily hurt one, would like you to meet Pat, the outgoing, sarcastic, protective one. You can wipe the floor with Nancy but Pat can lift the back end of a car off of the ground. I have to be careful and make sure I sign with Nancy. We both love all of you and we both love to laugh and we both have bc. Until now, I could count the people who know this about me on one hand with fingers left over. That doesn't include doctors. Most people are frightened of people like me but I can assure you that the only person I have ever hurt was me. (us) You have befriended me and given me courage when even Pat was scared. I'll never be able to thank you because words aren't enough.Janzin- that gaseous expulsion must have been silent but deadly. Good on you for owning up to it!
God bless you for caring about the gentle minded souls. Can't believe they wanted the paper towel back! That takes recycling to the limit. Keep on going gal. You are making your own way! I agree with NervousKnitter. You have a memory like a steel trap. flfish-thanks for bucking me up! I will certainly pull for you!!!!!!!! Did I tell you I was a Sunshine
baby? Tampa. Also lived in Panama City and Pompano Beach.REKoz- missing you too. Hope you are okay. Didn't you just have surgery?
That is far as this sieve of a memory can go at the moment but know that all of you GREAT ladies will pop up when I least expect it. If I am this bad now I can't imagine what I'll be like when I start chemo in a few weeks. It will be yet another me. A bald one ! Any suggestions on a name?
Hanging with you and doing the best I can.
Nancy
0
