Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Seaside - Computers can be frustrating at times but hang in there. It may decide to cooperate especially if you threaten to throw it out the window. LOL
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Lol.... Jo,
We'll see! While I wish I could have been encouraging toward it, I think right now my laptop is cowering in the corner.... Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for both me and it..lol!!0 -
Seaside,Jo and Everyone
Thank you very much for the great support. It feels good to be off the cigarettes.
Having tried four times to stop smoking and failing miserably , I really took a good look at myself last week and said to myself if I can't do it for myself, at least do it for my girl's sake. I didn't want a scenerio if the cancer reoccured and my precious daughters to turn around and say to me crying "But mom if you had stopped smoking the cancer might have stayed away" . The things I used to tell myself when I was smoking and even to my eldest if she saw me smoking, I would tell her "It's not this cigarette that's feeding my cancer, it's the hormones!!!"LOL
One cigarette is too many and a thousand cigarettes are not enough!!!
I even had a great nickname for my cigarettes "I'm going outside for a smokeyjoe!!"
Now it's my electronic smokey joe!!! Hahahahahahahahahaahhahaha
Just for today I will not smoke............Just for today............
Have a beautiful day everyone and ((((((HUGS))))))))))
Blessings
Maria
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Thank you for the good words!
Maria, I had many the same thoughts as you. Especially about even if it was merely the hormones feeding the bc I sure didn't want to "help" it come back or get other cancer by continuing to smoke!
Off to OT today to see the Lymphedema Therapist. She'll check me out since took measurements before surgery. Then will be having a pelvic US to see how all of that is, especially the ovaries. Then tomorrow I go back there to see a shrink - all because I asked for anxiety med and before surgery as well as to talk with some one too (they sent me to psychologist for that part). I guess I should be grateful for the resources. Personally, I think it should have been appts arbitrarily made for a person, merely from having a bc dx.
Yesterday spent several hours with the Lady I'm named for and her Husband. Interestingly enough, she'd indicated more than one of her friends have had implants for 20-25-30-35 years without ever being replaced. Makes me wonder why if we do implants for recon it's spoken of they will need to be replaced after 10-15 yrs. She's fully seen other mx before and recon too, so I did let her see the bmx results from 3 weeks ago. She thought it looked good.
Btw, how in the world does one go about getting a specialist signature line? I work with computers and can't figure it out. Feeling rather like a dunce on that one right now. LOL
Sally
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Good Morning my Non Smoking Friends ! 9 days today ... doing the happy dance !!!
I cannot belive the strength I have . Raff I know what you mean about the kids , mine are all grown but I keep seeing this commercial on TV about Lung cancer and iy talks about how will you tell your kids you are going to die , and to stop smoking now ...
We are all doing great...
.I also thought that about the hormones too .. I said the smoking isnt doing anything to the bc it is the hormones , then I decided due to cervical cancer and now this .. if I continue to smoke who knows what cancer will be next prob lung or throat so I am glad I made this decision
and glad u all did too Galsal, I keep hearing that too and I am soo worried about 10 year replacement on implants .. I dont know ...I see the PS tomorrow and then BS wednesday .. tthink I amy get my surgery date .. I am so friggin nervous ...
Just for Today I will not Smoke !!! or "Let Go and Let God" so many slogans .."Easy does it "
Hugs andf Strength to you alll today
Lisa
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Oh the stories we can tell ourselves as smokers!!! And the whole time we know that they are just excuses, you are all doing so great. This is the first time since I began posting that newbies were so at the ready to encourage each other, it is just great to see, you are really there for each other. Karen
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OH wow all of a sudden I am having this crazy Urge to Smoke and it wont go away !!!!! why is this happening . I was feeling great .... and now I feel all on edge ... like my patch isn't working .. I have been chowing down on sweedish fish and blow pops .... yuck yuck yuck ... I hate this feeling ...
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lisamarie, cut a straw to the length of a cigarrete and hold it like one , take a series of breaths. Chew gum, exercise,blow bubbles, use a relaxation tape, one moment at a time, baby steps for awhile, it will pass. Stay strong! hugs, Karen
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lisamarie,
Karen had some great suggestions! Pretty much do ANYTHING that will take you mind off of it!! You will hit these rough patches from time to time that feel like they come out if the blue and hit you like a ton of bricks...
Nine times out of ten it is because you have hit a 'first' since quitting smoking! By that I mean some situation that is very heavily tied in your mind (either conciously or subconciously) with smoking that you have not yet broken that connection! You may have noticed that the daily stuff that you have been doing is getting a little easier without triggering the urge to smoke... That's because, 1 by 1, you are breaking those connections... As time goes by there are fewer and fewer until cravings are
rare!
If you can just ride it out, it will pass!!
Thinking of you!!0 -
Karen's right. When I quit before - chewed a LOT of gum when driving, chewed on the little straws in drinks when I was at my American Legion Post, moved away from my regular seating area to the other side of the bar to sit where most people didn't smoke, sucked on sugar-free candies when driving if not chewing gum, walked in very early AM right after my coffee instead of having a smoke, etc. This time I'm not doing these things so very much as it's not as tough since am no longer heavily involved at the Post.
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Galsal, the scene of my one slip, an American Legion Post, liquor involved and strong triggers, stress and ingrained pattern of behavior. That was smart to change seats, I had to stay away from the Legion for awhile. Funny to see the Legion as another person's trigger. Karen
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Thanks girls , I thought maybe my patch was not working .. so I ripped it off and put on another one .. This morning I woke out of a dream and in the dream I was smoking 2 cigarettes ...maybe that started this day off bad ...then my tax money I wanted to use to move out of my crummy apartment .. got taken so I am so sad and frustrated .. I hate to be a brat .. I hate complaining ... I left work for a few today and bought candy .. came back to work and have been with blow pops , jolly ranchers, sweedish fish, and lemon drops ... Oh my This too shall pass .. I am still feeling overwhelmed but sooo determined not to give in to the evil Nicotine Monstor sitting on my shoulder right now .... I also do have 3 fake cigarettes my boss gave me to hold .. unfourtunatly I left them home . I thought it was great that I didnt need them and was feeling good ... Hoping tomorrow will be sooo much better
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LisaMarie - first time I quit never had dreams of smoking. This time I do and more than just once. Go figure.
Karen - it was even worse than that. I was on the Executive Board and the Adjutant too as well as on the House Rules Committe, Kitchen Staff (served mostly though), Entertainment and Activities Committee, went to the Conventions, etc. I was there a lot and it's only about 4-5 blocks from home. I do think that had a lot to do with my backsliding into smoking although I'd not been there much for a good month or two by the time that happened. Oh well, live and learn right.
My plants on the back screened porch tend to suffer now that I don't go out there and smoke with my coffee. HA
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Pretty quiet here today... How's everyone doing?
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Seaside- I am here. Just been super busy at work and also been on another thread a lot lately. I am gathering information on the LP flap surgery that I hope to have sometime in mid to late April.
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been busy co ordinating children's rides and my errands with a car in the shop and a 2 person pick up truck, just got the car back today to the tune of $501.00 repair bill, OUCH. Is Idol on tonight? hugs, Karen
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Am around. Saw psych today. Changing the Wellbutrin to something else. Apparently it exacerbates anxiety. Well how peachy is THAT. Asked me if I'd been more anxious before the Chantix or BC. Told him how back in June my coworker had been let go when one from our dept had to reduce by one person. That I handled people for the computer systems and she handled the machines for it but then had to pick up her stuff too. That it seems the stress and added anxiety of the extra work and of course almost being at menopause affected me and then I smoked.
So he's changing to some other antidepressant that works better for anxiety. Hope it helps me be less of a worrier!
All in all, still glad it was a day of not smoking though.
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Oh OUCH, on the repair bill, Karen! I really don't understand why, when it comes to cars, everything is soooo expensive. Being without a car stinks, too! We have 4 people here and 3 cars so guess who goes without most days... And then if one's in the shop, it's just chaos!! I think Idol doesn't pick back up again until tomorrow. So one more night....
Jo,
Take your time and gather all your info!! We are so lucky to have such a wealth of information right at our finger tips here! Don't know what they did back in the day before the internet and BCO but, it must have been a really scary place to be....
Galsal,
I'm glad too that today was another day of being smoke-free for you! I, too have struggled with anxiety but find that since I quit smoking I am less anxious. Didn't happen right away but over time. The other thing that has helped me a bit is that my doctor switched my blood pressure medication to a beta blocker... It has a very slight sedating effect that helps with anxiety and it also gets my blood pressure to a normal level... So 2 benefits for the price of 1! Hope this new medication works well for you... Anxiety stinks!
lisamarie and Maria,
Thinking of you and hoping you are doing well!0 -
Seaside - I have collected so much information and feel so good about my decision to do the LD flap that I just want to get it scheduled and over with. You are absolutely correct when you said there is a wealth of information here. The ladies on the LD thread have been super and so willing to share info. I do read what they say and then look further on the internet. Speaking of the internet - wow! what good information I have found there. Between doing all this research and super busy at work, I have not had time to think of smoking although I do still have my ecig - like Karen said at one time, it is my "adult binky" - my assurance that I will not go back to reg cigs.
Hope everyone had a good Tues.
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I am still here everyone , I had a very busy day off had to get laundry done , and looked at an apartment...as well as my appt with the PS ....and he decided that I should be nicotine free at least 3 weeks before my sugery ... soo Today I am cold Turkey ladies ... No patch no cigs .. and so far okay .. he also informed me that after my PBMX i would not be getting immediate reconstruction ... I will be getting TE's .... ho hum ....Anyway Grateful to be here and alive and smoke free ..
Got appt with the BS today at 12:30p .. and am working my reg 12 hour shift so hoping my day just sails on by .... Good Thoughts and Strength to all today .. Oh yeah Most of all HUGS ... we are STrong Just for today I choose not to smoke !!!!
Lisa
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I'm back. My tx w/rads is over and I did promise myself that when the stress of tx is over..........I'll make another attempt. I've been reading here and you all are my heros. I WANT SO BAD TO JOIN YOU. I still have patches and the ecig but the chantex seems to be a smarter option to start since it doesn't involve the nicotine??????? Taking a half dose is a great idea.
Here I go..... putting it off til the weekend. An excuse to continue, one more time.
I hate cigarettes! I never say HATE. It really pisses me off. Sometimes anger is a good motivator.
Maureen
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Welcome back Maureen, you have set this weekend to be your quit date. You've fulfilled 2 steps by coming back: the promise to come back after treatment and choosing a quit date, you also chose your plan for quitting - Chantix. We have two women coming up through 2nd week and galsal, just over one month, you will find them to be a support group within a support group, the best technique I've seen since my quit date of just over 14 mos., never even thought I could do this. You've placed yourself in with a great, strong group of women!! Glad that you are back. You can do this, one day at a time. Karen
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Maureen - Welcome back. You have already made some major steps in the quitting process and you should be proud of yourself. I quit almost 8 months ago and never thought I would still be here after 40+ years of smoking - and I LOVED SMOKING!! I still have my ecig to get me through a stressful time in my job - that, and a DH who still smokes.
This is a fantastic group of women - they are amazing. Just take it one day at a time.
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Yay chef127 and welcome back!!! We SO WANT YOU TO JOIN US, TOO!! lol
So happy that rads is over for you as I'm sure you are, too! Since you have been following along here, I'm sure you've noticed what an incredibly supportive group this is... Lots to be learned from everyone!! You have 'walked to the edge' and taking that final leap is scary (I remember the fear very well) but, if you can muster the strength to do it, we'll all be here to catch you!
Back on Jan 3 VJ posted a very comprehensive list of things you may experience the first week (for those wondering, I didn't remember the date... had to search... lol)... Reading that, if you haven't already may help to further get a plan in place...
Welcome aboard... Post when you need to!0 -
That list came from my tip book, which I will sent a free copy to anyone on this list. I just need your email address. Have a joyous day! VJ
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Karen,
So, so true!! While we all have some perspective to offer, there is no better support than to go through it with others who are dealing with it at the same time you are...
Jo,
Going to suggest just one small change to your post.... 'They are just amazing' needs to be changed to 'WE are just amazing' because YOU are included!!!0 -
Jo, I was at the gas station the other day and asked if they had ecigs. They did but none with zero nicotine. So I bought none. I wanted them for those "just in case" moments.
Kudos to every one of you. We ARE amazing!
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You ladies are truly AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The adult binkie is great for those tough moments. Karen
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Galsal and Karen...
Yes... We ARE, all of us, amazing and just SO strong! After all we have dealt with to get through our surgeries and treatments we have all decided to take on one MORE challenge and that is to FINALLY break free from the hold that cigarettes have on us... In a sense, reclaiming some control over our lives and our health when so much seems out of our control....
Thinking of you all.... Remember... Just for today, I will stay strong and not smoke!0 -
Adult binkie! Priceless!!!!
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