Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Hey guys I really need some help to stop smoking, because I just had a BMX/ DEIP Flap
On April 11, I have to try something the patch the gum, and anything else please ladies any advice would be welcome, feel free to PM me
Tammy0 -
Welcome Tammy - So glad you found us. This is THE best bunch of gals around. I have been smoke free for 9 months now and I used a gradual step down program and then moved on to the e-cig. I know Karen also uses the e-cig. Others have used Chantix, patches, gum etc and I know they will come along and let you know what methods they used. We also have a resident stop smoking professional and she will email you her tip book for free - all you have to do is PM her your email address. BTW her name is VJ. I just had a lat dorsi flap done on Apr 18th and I was so glad I had stop smoking last year.
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Hi Tammy, welcome to our group! We have people in all stages of non-smoking, currently from a few days to 1+mo., to veteran butt kickers (those of us who are 7 mo.'s, to a yr., and several years). First thing to do is chose what kind of nicotine aid you are going to use, sounds like you don't want to cold turkey it. Start cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke a day, where are you now on the number of cigarettes you smoke daily? When I was down to 6 I started using the e cig at 8mg, then cut to 4, then to 0mg. I chew gum now - that seems to provide relief for the oral fixation. The 0mg. satisfies the hand to mouth habit. I keep all sorts of flavors of gum around for varieties sake. If you look back on the thread babshrink is just starting and you can read about some of the tricks she is using. Post often or just read so we can be a support to you as you set your quit date. Others will come around to welcome you, the mantra we are using comes from lisamarie, "just for today, I will not smoke", and then the days start piling up. It's nice to have you here with us. Karen
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Hi everyone, I have been trying to cut back considerable since my DX 9 days ago...I have my surgery scheduled day after tomorrow. My pre-op consultation with the oncol & a PA is tomorrow....still haven't decided which surgery I am having...plan to make that decision after hearing everything they have to say. I had one meeting the day of the DX, and of course, they suggested that my chances for recovery are much higher if I quit. I have smoked since I was 16, and it is my friend, foe & a HUGE monkey on my back. So difficulte to quit completely. I have an e-cig, and I really like it, and was cut back to only 4 real cigs for a few days, but have already creeped back into about 10. Used to smoke about a pack a day of Carltons. I need support & help with this, but I know I can be very, very naughty about it all. It is cunning and baffling how the litte voice in my head says..."aww! It's fine, this little one won't hurt..."
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Just...and that little voice is truly cunning isn't it! Yet your head knows it isn't the truth one bit.
Tammy, wow you had a diep and were still smoking? And they knew it?
Jo, best thing I did for the bmx surgery was rent a lift chair/recliner. Will do so for the next one too. Slept in it for a month.
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Welcome to all the new girls , Gabs, I am on the april boards with u , I am finally 8 weeks free of smokes ... now I can tell the PS tomorrow I am 6 weeks nicotine free
he wanted 3 I am giving him 6 ..So girls ,, if I can stop smoking anyone can . ") I was a pack a day Marlboro reds girl .. and I say "Just For Today I will Not Smoke "
Jo I am so glad u are back .. anyway lots of pp today .. and my nuclear medicine at 2 then picking mom up at airport .. then tomorrow is the big BMX day
Gulp ... xoxoxoxox
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Hey Jo and Karen I'm happy already I posted in this thread, I may just make it!!!
Ummm Galsal, they knew I was a smoker and told me to quit and I'm trying kinda
And yes that little voice!!! It's a small voice oh but it's so big!!
I had my BMX/ DIEP Flap on April 11, it was a eight hour surgery
And when I woke up whoa. The pain, I felt like I was beat up with a baseball and like a Mack dump truck was laying on my chest!! So much pain!! But, it's a good pain, I'm cancer free!!! I just have to do four rounds of Chemo because three of the twenty- three was positive for cancer,
As I'm siting here typing this, how dare I still smoke!?, I feel like soaping myself in the face.
Yes Lisamarie
I know your on the April boards and have read your post
Ladies I need your support , and you gals feel free to be mean, lol
Just want to let you know I am here and I'm reading,
Thanks Tammy0 -
lisamarie, you have a busy day today and just for today, I will not smoke. Stay strong girl!! Tammy, here comes the mean (tongue in cheek), do not let that tiny white cylinder dictate your life!!! You have power over it not vice versa. You can do it, you know you can. Jo and Bama. start pouring the salt. it's snowing here, WTH. Big heavy flakes on leafy trees, that's what took all the trees and powerlines down in an October storm a few years ago. Schools to the south of me are closed, supposed to be 2-4 inches where I live. My cat is looking out the window in amazement, the day before yesterday, she was playng outside in 70 degree weather. hugs to alll, Karen
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Karen - Forgive me for I can not help myself. It is going to be a pleasant 83 degrees out today and I am going to try and sit out on my deck for awhile and enjoy the sunshine. Already tired of being cooped up in the house but trying really hard to take it easy and rest. This is the hardest part for me as I am so very active.
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Dear Jo, if you add together the temps. for today and tomorrow we will not reach 83! So envious of you relaxng on your deck, I am going out to brush the snow off the car and wear my winter coat, grrrr. I know you're getting itchy to be doing something, but a few more days of R&R for you. Waiting to hear from Bama, it is now snowing harder than when I first got up with a little wind effect just to keep it interesting. My neighbor bought a new snow blower which he did not have to use this winter, I have a mental image of him standing by their front window salivating. He is such a great neighbor he does our walk and the people on the other side of him too.
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Thanks for the welcome, Ladies. I have only had one today...that morning one is hard to give up!! It is really WHAT I usually even get out of bed for!. Need to replace that long standing habit. Right? Anyway, I am a good person & rule follower in most areas of my life, YET, I just have had a heck of a time letting go of this one vice I have had with me for sooooo many years. I just figured I would always quit one day...well the day is here, and I'm still justifying and begging for one more day/cig. I have a lot on my mind today with my surgery tomorrow and all...and still don't know what type of surgery I am having. Have to make up my mind by today.
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Karen - When we lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming we had a neighbor that would do our driveway. DH worked in the missile fields and would be gone for 3 days at a time so our wonderful neighbor who was also our mail carrier would make sure I could get in and out of the garage.
Just - It is a hard habit to break - I know I smoked for 40 years. I smoked all through active treatment and decided once the dust had settled that it was time to work on the smoking. I do know there was no way I was going to try and stop after diagnosis. The right time for me had to come along and it eventually did as it will for you.
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Welcome home Jo and a very happy birthday to you!
To all newcomers..this is a great thread....this is where I got the encouragement to quit smoking...I am 3 years now!!!
hugs to all
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Candie, WOW 3 years, that is so great! I'm at 15 mos., came up through the tutelage of Seaside and o2bhealthy, I think you were their mentor. This has to be the best support group in existence. We have so many people right now at various stages of non- smoking from days to months to years. Just, you have come to the right place to quit, watch the thread as you decide on your non-smoking plan, if it is your time to quit something on someone's post will speak to you and voila' it will be your time. I was a heavy smoker, both a stress and relaxation smoker, pack a day to pack and a half, never thought I could do it, it is hard but it is doable with the help and support of this thread. I, too, had a cigarette lit when my feet hit the floor in the AM, I am a veteran gum chewer now, my DD just informed me it is her quit date today, she promised my DGS and DGD she would quit on their birthday , which is today. I'll be mentoring her, she, like our Jo, is resolute when it comes to making a decision, so I have great hopes for her and for you. Galsal, have not told you lately what a great job you are doing, you remind me of Jo, decide on a plan and stick to it, you are both ex-military aren't you?
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As some of the kick-butt veterans know, I work in tobacco control and I will send you a free Tip book to anyone on this site, just PM your email address.
I also am a member of ATTUD--the Assoc. for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence--this is strictly an evidence-based group which has most of the top researchers from around the country as members. Just yesterday we were told of new research published in CHEST (a journal for chest MD's) about e-cigs and a rare type of pneumonia. (exogenous lipoid pneumonia) It is caused when oils are either inhaled or aspirated from the stomach into the lungs and causes an inflammation. usually it is seen in elderly people who use mineral oil daily as a laxative or have GERD and their stomach contents go up into their esophagus. The symptoms are a cough, fever and difficulty breathing. E-cigs have glycerin in them (one of the ingredients of the vapor), which is an oil. Most doctors never see a case of this type of pneumonia and wouldn't know the connection between the it and e-cigs. The symptoms go away once you stop using the oil. Just my 2 cents for today.
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Lisamarie,
Hope everything went well today and that your Mom arrived safe and sound. We will be thinking about you tomorrow as you have your BMX surgery. When you feel up to it, please post to let us know that you are OK...
Here we are all lined up ready to hop in your pocket.... Hmmmmm, on second thought maybe you should pack us in your overnight bag.... There's so many of us!
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Here is the updated roll call to add Candie1971 and Babsbrink!!!
Welcome to all the new people! I will take some time to more formally welcome you when I am off of this stupid laptop and back on my Ipad.... I have lost 3 posts so far if I lose one more, I'm throwing it out the window!........ arrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggg!!
People who we've heard from recently:
babsbrink - April 18, 2012 quit date
lovehertons - April 3, 2012 quit date
lisamarie68 - Feb 26, 2012 quit date
Galsal - Jan 13, 2012 quit date
jo1955 - July 15, 2011 quit date
karen333 - Jan 16, 2011 quit date
jan508 - Sept 20, 2010 quit date
LadyinBama - Aug 10, 2010 quit date
BarbaraA - June 2, 2010 quit date
SeasideMemories - Jan 18, 2010 quit date
o2bhealthy - May 5, 2009 quit date
1Athena1 - April 27, 2009 quit date
candie1971 - April 22, 2009 quit date
MinusTwo - July 11, 2007 quit date
People who we have not heard from in awhile but hope
are still doing well:kal_1865 - Sept 28, 2010 quit date
Angelice - Sept 3, 2010 quit date
akeefe7 - July 11, 2011 quit date
sunangel27 - May 29, 2011 quit date
rehm046 - May 1, 2011 quit date
Dutchy - Set quit date for March 1, 2011
Ellie1959 - Set quit date for March 1, 2011
Sweetaerobabe - Feb 16, 2011 quit date
Malleme - Feb 6, 2011 quit date
Basia - Feb 5, 2011 quit date
chabba - Jan 11, 2011 quit date
dsgirl - Dec 3, 2010 quit date
Kitchenwitch - Nov 30, 2010 quit date
Linda603 - Nov 4, 2010 quit date
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lisamarie, will be in that pocket along with all the rest of us, sending prayers along. hugs, Karen
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room in the pocket? I'm there! just for today, we're not smoking!
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YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I am a former smoker her to offer support. I quit in 89 cold turkey before patches and pills. I quit with my ex husband smoking my brand in the chair next to me. I quit while in the Air Force with everyone smoking around me. It was HARD. I was undergoing infertility treatment at the time and having surgeries for it. It wasn't terminal but it was very, very emotional. I had a pocket in my uniform where I kept my cigs and lighter. I put tic tacs there. Everytime (100x day) I reached for my pocket they'd rattle. I'd be like %$#@! Then I'd have a tic tac. 10 days in I had a car accident and tolled my car three times down an embankment. I was okay but all the responders were smoking (my brand). I started to say "can I have a cigarette" repeatedly. But I never said it. After that I felt I could quit through anything. I am SO SO grateful that I don't smoke today and do not have that constant pain of having something so bad for me have so much control over me.
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Stacie.... Thank so much for the encouragement! It means a lot!
We do have a couple military girls here... I think Jo was Air Force and galsal was Army..... I could be wrong and I hope someone would correct me if I am......
Quitting is so hard but, I have yet to encounter anyone with a decent time under their belt who regretted their decision!!
Please feel free to post encouragement here... We look forward to hearing from you as well as any long term quitters!!!0 -
Seaside - I was in the Air Force - what a good memory you have. Stacie is right - so many people in the military smoked - it was almost like it was a requirement back in those days.
Stacie - Thanks for coming here and giving us all encouragement. I quit July 15, 2011 and not only live with a smoker but also work with 2 smokers. You are an inspiration to us all.
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Jo,
How are you feeling? I know it can be hard to find a comfortable way to sleep,.. Hope you have found something that works for you and are resting and healing up fine!0 -
Oh yeah... One more thing.... I love a good quote and tend to save the ones I really like.... Saved this one.... "I am SO SO grateful that I don't smoke today and do not have that constant pain of having something so bad for me have so much control over me."..... Thanks, Stacie!
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Stacie...what strength and courage! Always happy to see another Veteran that's female. Hell, used to stand outside in -20F to smoke. I feel your pain.
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Thanks everyone , I am getting ready to pack my bag and put ya all in it .. taking my valium ..and surgery is at 6 am ... full of anxiety and I just wanna cry ... had the nuclear medicine now I am radioactive ..lol luv u girls , I am not smoking just for today ... but sure feel like smoking one
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Lisamarie, my radioactive friend...lol...
Very natural to be nervous... Would be more surprised if you weren't... Take your valium and get some rest and know that we are all by your side! Thinking of you tonight and holding you close tomorrow.... Hopefully, we aren't so rowdy in your bag tomorrow that nurses kick us out!!0 -
My LX & Sentinel Node Biopsy is scheduled for tomorrow morning the 24th!
I'm excited and am hoping for Clean Margins!!! Clean Margins!! Prayers & positive thoughts. 0 -
Dear Just, prayers and positive thougts winging your way. May there only be "clean margins", and an excellent surgeon.
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lisamarie, the only glowing will be you and not the tip of a cig.
that's because despite it all, just for today you will not smoke! i tell you, it astounds me that we can find it within ourselves to QUIT in the midst of the turmoil going on around us through this BC journey!just - positivity sent your way!
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