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Stop Smoking Support Thread

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Hi dmlennon, welcome, we always have room here.  Congratulations on your decision, it won't be easy, but you have the patch, you had cut down drasically, and now you have all of us.  You won't find another support group as strong as we are.  Someone is always around to cheer you on, or hold your hand or  validate your feelings.  We have groups in all stages of non-smokers, from 1 day (you) to 1 month to 4 months to  almost a year to 1 year plus and all the way up in years (who stop in now and then, to assure us that it can be done). Check in a few times today, I know others will want to welcome you.  You go girl, Karen       ps. hi, lisamarie, you beat me, just goes to show what a great group of non-smokers we are, congratulations on your 1 month and you're cold turkeying it now for 14 days.  I remember when you came on the thread and thinking this woman is going to make it!!!!!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012

    Karen, Thanks .. i think lots has to do with all of you and the support .. it makes me feel better and loved and most important not alone ... Hugs 

  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 77
    edited March 2012

    I am 54.  I was diagnosed at 53.  At that time I had been smoking 3 years.  Stupid to start at 50, but everybody around me smoked - DH, co-workers, all the musician friends we have ... it started as social smoking, going outside to the sidewalk with the smokers at the bar, then the next thing I knew it I was bumming a menthol here and there ...

    It really started when my health nut niece died of BC in Sept 2007.  Nobody took better care of herself than Shelli, and when she died - my motto became "if ya got 'em, smoke 'em, we're all gonna die of cancer anyway."  Cheeseburgers, cigarettes, whatever your vice was, knock yourself out because it did not seem to matter, if you're number was up, it was up.

    Then I got the diagnosis call ... and knew I would quit but kept smoking.  Chemo just kicked my ass and made it very easy to quit.  So now I tell the girls who work for me (2 are smokers who are trying to quit) that I do not suggest chemotherapy as a stop smoking method, but that it is very effective.  Now how bone-chilling is that? 

    Every once in a while if I am having drinks with friends I hit a cig ... but it tastes like ass.  I do not miss the stinky breath, the smell of it on my hands, the burn holes in my clothes.  And of course there is the cost.  We all know it is bad for us. 

    One of my office gals has a stop smoking app on her smart phone that keeps track of how many minutes it has been since she last smoked, how much money she has saved, blah blah blah.  It is pretty cool.  I want my DH to quit.  When he exhales it smells like the cancer smell to me.  I hate it.

    Best of luck in your cessation efforts ... can't hurt, might help! 

    Debbie

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Welcome dmlennon - This is such a great group of non smokers.  When I first came here 8 months and 16 days ago I thought to myself I must be kidding myself.  I was a 40 year smoker - I loved smoking.  Now I am down to using an e-cig - need to so I keep my sanity.  My DH smokes and in the house and both my co workers smoke.  So I am surrounded by smokers.  Bottom line - if I can do it so can you and everyone here will help you out. 

    Hi Karen, lisamarie, galsal and all the other wonderful ladies on here. 

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited March 2012

    Welcome and big kudos on your new journey!  Every one comes around to when is right for their own self to quit.

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Hi Jo, hi Galsal, I am sitting in my den and there is snow covering the street, trees and lawns, it was supposed to be a dusting, looks like an inch already.  Weird Buffalo weather, I am not getting my winter clothing back out.  This is why you live in Florida, Jo.  hugs to all who live in warm climes, winter jackets to those of us looking at snow.  Karen

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Karen - I hate to tell you but I live in deep south Texas - very close to the Mexican Border.  Florida is too expensive for my pocketbook.  And as for the snow, you can keep it girlfriend.  I have been in shorts and flip flops for several weeks now.  No winter clothes for me.  HUGS!!

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Jo, where the heck did I come up with Florida, it says TX right next to your picture, the snow has addled my brain.  Does it count that I know where my flip flops are? hugs back at you, Karen

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited March 2012

    LOL  I'm in Fla though.  we get a winter for about a month or two at the outside most.  Sitting in shorts and sandals.  Will be wearing a sunhat today while attending a BBQ and sitting in the shade.  Even without Lymphedema, I fry in the sun.  Darn red hair when I was born!

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Galsal, enjoy the sunshine and your BBQ, the snow ia still on the lawns here, street is bare though.  It is supposed to be in the mid 40's, so the snow will be gone soon.  Warmup to the 50''s coming this week, this is seasonal weather for us. Stay covered up and just for today we choose not to smoke.  Karen

  • dmlenn1
    dmlenn1 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012

    Ahhh... Thank you for the welcome!  It is amost 11am and I have been up since 7am not smoking. Not wearing a patch. I am holding the cigarette.... but I just keep putting it back on the table. I keep saying, you know... another hour without smoking it won't hurt. I am trying to do this one hour at a time now. I got through yesterday with only a minor slip up. I think I can do it today... or at least for the next hour...

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited April 2012

    dmlennon, one hour at a time it is right now, I set out 6 when I had really cut back, put them where I could see them.  I did use an e cig that I bought on line for a time.  Jo  uses an e cig, Maria is down to just holding it, Lisamarie is down to cold turkeying it, after a time on the patch, we all used slightly different approaches, if you read back pages you will find a variety of tricks we used to keep us from that little tiny cylinder. VJ our resident expert on smoking cessation will be on to offer you more tips and a booklet free of charge.  You can do it, just for today I chose not to smoke, use it like a mantra, also Stay Strong.  During a particularly stressful event, I just kept telling myself stay strong through the cravings.  I also went to bed early, so I had less time to think about that cylinder. Can't smoke when you are sleeping, that tip from our resident leader, Seaside Memories.  So good to have you aboard, mark your calender so you don't forget your quit date!  Karen

  • LadyinBama
    LadyinBama Member Posts: 993
    edited March 2012

    Hi ladies. Congrats to all the newbies for hanging in there.

    Congrats on 18 months Karen!

    Jo, glad you got your surgery date.

    I've been busy so haven't checked in for a while. Which is good, glad to be getting a life back!

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Bama, glad you are busy with life, that is good.  Found college reruns of football today and the surprise snow we had has melted, hopefully we really begin spring!  My stepdaughter came over today to cook dinner for us, brought my ex's first ex, had a good time comparing notes.  Strange but good.  hugs, Karen

  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited April 2012

    As Karen mentioned, I will sent a PDF copy of my Tip book to anyone on this list, I just need your email address.

    My current project is helping to pass prop. 29 in Cali, The California Cancer Research Act. It will add $1 to the cost of a pack with 60% of the proceeds going towards cancer research. Cali will be the 2nd largest source for cancer research funds next to the federal govt. www.Californiansforacure.org

    Have a joyous day!

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited April 2012

    Just for today I will not smoke!  Have a lovely Palm Sunday all.

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited April 2012

    Galsal, and just for today all of our crew will not smoke.  Have the house to myself today, it is very quiet and really dreary outside, raining some.  I am being very lazy, watching golf and reading "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". 

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2012
    Happy Sunday girls ....I moved .. all done . now all I need to do is unpack boxes and organize .. my daughter will arrive at laguardia NYC on April 4th .. I am excited to see her and then I am 23 days away from my BMX .. and my mom will be flying in April 23rd .. as she will be helping me after surgery .. I have been crazy emofotional for the last 2 days .. crying for almost anything and everything .... I feel absolutley crazy .. and scared out of my mind ...yesterday I wanted to drink and smoke but ... I did not do either thasnk god .... I hate to loose my 9 months of sobriety and my non smoking time .

    I got that app on my phone .. I have 5 weeks 1 hour and  1 minute and 35 seconds now .. and I did not smoke 700.86 cigarettes and I saved $350.43..

    I miss all o 

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2012

    I miss all of  you and I dont have any clue how the fonts changed ... lol

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited April 2012

    lisamarie, I'd be shocked if you didn't cry, moving is traumatic, your daughter coming in, surgery on the near horizon and mom coming in.  You are STRONG lisamarie, all that without a smoke or a drink.  hugs to you, Karen

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2012

    Thanks Karen ... Omg .. I feel as though I am loosing my  mind so fast ... UGH ! glad I have u all .. xoxox 

    My bosses name is Karen , I dont have my mom near all the time and she is like a mom to me .. I call her Mama K .... so cool ur a karen toooo Cool 

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited April 2012
    lisamarie - You are truly an amazing woman.  So much going on lately and you stuck to your guns and did not drink or smoke.  You are an inspiration to us all.  Smile
  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited April 2012

    woooHOOOO   look at the stats for Lisamarie!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2012

    Thanks Ladies ... you all rock tooo ... and it is because we are strong and we are determined .. "just for today We will not smoke " I love u all xoxoxo Jo Galsal seaside , maria ..

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited April 2012

    I'm betting you have several boxes unpacked already and are making your apartment your own.  You did such a great job this weekend!!!!!  The one time I slipped early on, there was liquor involved, did not drink for a few months after, since I knew it played with my inhibitions, it was also a high stress situation.  As was your's, just for today, I will not smoke.  hugs, Karen  Hi Jo, Seaside, o2b, Jan, Minus Two, Galsal, Maria, VJ. 

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited April 2012

    Just wanted to pop in and say Hi!  Karen, Seaside, Galsal, Maria, MinusTwo, o2b and anyone else I missed.  

    Been busy getting things in order before my upcoming surgery.

    Hope everyone is having a great day. 

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited April 2012

    A new day to be one that we will not smoke!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2012

    Morning ladies , Its Tuesday and My day off to unpack and arrange my apartment for my daughters arrival tomorrow and soon my mom for my surgery .. lots of work ahaead .. at least its a sunny day here in Long Island .. I did start a sore throat yesterday hope its nothing but it hurts like crazy this am ... Anyway .. friends Just for today we will not smoke ..

    Love and Hugs to you all  

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited April 2012

    Sorry about the sore throat but at least that will keep you from smoking!  Another day down lovelies. 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,422
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for the HI-HOs Karen & Jo.  I've been in recurrent job training the last two days.  And yes - I walked out to stand with the smokers after lunch.  Those folks always have so much knowledge (gossip?) about everything that's going on at work.  And it was actually nice to smell the smoke.  Yup - I'm one of those who still love the smell.  But - just for today - the smell is all I enjoyed.  I'm waiting for my 5 year anniversary in July.  Well, 5 year no smoking anniversary.  BMX is slightly over a year.  Glad to see you're all forging ahead.  For those of you who are lurking or just thinking about quitting - keep on reading and join us when you're ready.

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