Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Dear Galsal, I think this is one of the best postings I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Karen lisamarie, thinking of you and sending prayers.
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Seaside, I am feeling better everyday but still have a long way to go. Will be so very glad with the drains come out - they are a real pain in the butt - and I don't mean cig butt - LOL!!!
Lisamarie - Best wishes for you today - you are going to do great. Post when you can. (((HUGHS)))
Just - Got the fingers crossed for clean margins. I would love to join the pocket party but have to be too careful so I will think of you from my chair.
Galsal - I used to put on my parka and stand outside the hospital and smoke with wind chills well below zero. Those were the days.
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prayers to those having surgery
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JustBeatIt...
Just now saw your post!!! In addition to lisamarie, your surgery is TODAY, too! Thinking of you and praying for nice clean margins and clear nodes......0 -
lisamarie and JustBeatIt,
Thinking of you both and sending gentle hugs and prayers for healing your way!! Hope all went well and that you are back and posting soon!0 -
Today makes seven days!!! I am really psyched, this is the longest I have gone without a cigarette in 44 years! Like Jo, I decided to wait until after active treatment, and for me, it seems to have been the right decision, I knew I would fail if I tried to stop while I was so scared and freaked out. I seem to do okay during the day, being at work helps alot, but evenings in front of the TV are a different story. In the car, I put a CD in with a song I want to learn the words to, and play it over and over again, singing at the top of my lungs, it keeps my mind occupied, and the urge to smoke almost vanishes. I have done at least a hundred Sudokus this week, another thing to keep my mind busy. I chew gum until my jaw aches, and drink lots of water. Also, I have told anyone who will listen that I am not smoking, I figure the more people who know, the harder it would be to admit failure. And of course, I keep repeating "Today, I will not smoke" so far, I haven't "lost it" with anyone, I carry Xanax with me, but I haven't felt the need to use any. So far so good, I still feel motivated and each day has just renewed that feeling, I am so grateful to have found this group, although I don't post daily, I am glad to know you are here. Thanks for all the help.
Barbara
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Barbara, you little quiet girl, you've been hiding your light under a bushel, 7 DAYS!!!!!! We are so proud of you, you've been using every trick (chewing till your jaw aches, I can relate to that), but inventing new tricks. Singing at the top of your lungs in the car, that is a great one, so many of us associate driving with smoking ---- what a super tip. I am so proud of you, Just for today, I will not smoke. GREAT JOB. Karen
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Thanks for the kind words Karen...Babs, you go girl! all of you....have a great evening!
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Babs - You go girl! SEVEN DAYS - THAT IS AMAZING! I also put a CD in and sing in the car. That really does the trick.
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Babs - Congrats. Seven days is a real accomplishment. If your weather is cooperating, it helped me to go for a fairly fast walk everytime I wanted to smoke - especially in the evenings. Good going girl.
Jo - glad to hear your recovery is on track.
Lisamarie & Just: Hope everything went well today.
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Hello! I'm excited to come across a place to get support to quit smoking. As the queen of closet smoking.. I really have no support systems, because most people don't know I smoke, and those that do think it is so seldom, it's not a big deal. But it is a big deal. So I'm showing up here as a proclamation to myself that I do have support and I can do this. Now I just have to figure out how to make it happen. On and off smoker for many years. Had lumpectomy, results not what was expected, a masectomy next. I've even signed in on the forum as a different user, because people who know me, are also researching and know who I am on the rest of the site. They love me to bits, but don't know I still smoke. Isn't that crazy? Now I am here. I will quit. I appreciate just knowing you are here. Found great tips already.
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Imgood, glad to have you hear no matter what you really are or what your known nick is. Wow, you've made that HUGE confession to not only yourself but publicly. That must be liberating, to finally get it ot there!
Welcome and as our own lisamarie says, just for today I will not smoke!
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Imgood - Welcome to the best group of ladies on BCO. I'm sure it felt good to come out of the closet and face this problem head on. Sounds like you are totally committed to quiting and I just know you will do it. Others will come along throughout the day to welcome you as well.
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Imgood, you have come to the right place for support and encouragement - if a heavy stress and relaxation smoker for 30+ yrs., at a pack to a pack and a half smoker can become a 15 mos. non-smoker with these ladies, you can too.
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Welcome Tammy, Babs and Imgood!
Jo: The drains were the worst part of the whole thing. I had one that stayed in for 6 weeks. That sucker just would not quit draining. But that's unusual. They said most people get them out in a couple of weeks. Hang in there and enjoy DH doing the housework!
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just for today, I did NOT smoke. saw PS and should get a call next week to schedule surgery. wasn't my PS but they weren't about to reschedule me a THIRD time.
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Galsal, they dare not mess with a warrior like you, look at the way you quit smoking!!!! Lisamarie and Just waiting to hear from you, praying all went smoothly.
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yes, yes...we demand GOOD news! karen, thanks girl! had a southern belle female vet with me and we agreed I would NOT answer my phone for any calls from the hospital. that way we would show up for the appt no matter what and work our magic to see ANY of the PS to get things moving along.
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im home from hospital, stayed a little longer they though i had a hematoma and was gonna send me back in the surgery for left side. im ok . I am hurting really bad. they couldnt get my pain managed as my body did not agree with any pain meds . i have 2 drains . they hurt me burning all the time . no shower till drains come out
, recliner no good my mom had to prop up bunches of pillows and had to sleep in bed .nodes are clear , and it looks like no chemo for me . i did not smoke 
Hugs to u all..0 -
Galsal, great solution, you are formidable in many areas, PS, BC, non-smoker and I'm sure the list goes on! lisamarie, glad you are home, so sorry for you being in that much pain, I have trouble with many pain killers also, good thing that mom is there with you. Sometimes the pain is so bad that nothing but mom will do. I hope it lets up its' grip on you, and despite it all - you did not smoke. Strong woman!!!
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lisamarie - So glad you are home and resting. No second surgery for you - congrats. I also had a hematoma and did need that second surgery - no fun. My PS also told me no showers with the drains but I am doing it anyway. DH tapes plastic wrap over the holes and I try to stay out of the water as much as possible then I make sure I pat dry the area really good.
Thinking about you and wish you a speedy recovery.
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Glad to hear you're home Lisamarie and so sorry for all the pain you are in... Is there nothing else they can try?? Sometimes it's a matter of getting the right combo.... Gentle hugs coming your way....
Heading out the door soon for my mammo/US so the scanxiety is reaching a fever pitch.... DH couldn't get off of work so this will be the first one I go to alone. The breast center lets me hang around and wait for the results so hould know later today if I can breath for the next 6 months or not!!
These tests are such a love/hate situation for me.... I like the fact having the reassurance they provide but, geeez... sure hate the days leading up to it.... I'm sure I'll get through it.... Now if I can only keep my hands from shaking while filling out the paper work.... I swear sometimes they must look at my shaky writing and think I'm on drugs...lol0 -
Oh Seaside, that scanxiety is just too terrible, but as you say it is a love/hate combo. Sending prayers your way. Let us know the minute you get them. love, Karen I can relate to the shaky hands, I once tried to take a sip from my coffee travel mug and dribbled it down my shirt.
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hello ladies,
I am suppose to quit for surgery, just don't want too. I am still getting taxol and it is pure hell. I know the day before and day of I will want to smoke, that stuff(taxor) scares the dickens out of me. I only have had 1 tx so far but the bone, joint and muscle pains were awful. Smoking is what gets me out of bed, lol. My PS wants me nicotine free for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. My date is June 27, maybe I will go get acupuncture the beginning of June. My SNL and port surgery healed just fine. So who had healing problems following surgery as a active smoker?
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I quit after active treatment and did not have PS. Did have lumpectomy as a smoker, most PS will not do recon while the woman is an active smoker.. If you check back on lisamarie's posts, you will see how we supported and she was determined to follow PS's treatment plan, you can become a non-smoker. This is a dynamic support network of friends, I don't think you will find a better one. I quit after 30+ years as a heavy stress and relaxation smoker. I had said previously that you would have to wire my jaw shut for me to quit, and that I would probably find a way around it. I too was one who had a cigarette lit the moment my feet hit the floor in the AM.
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3 YEARS TOMORROW!!! If you'd asked me 3 years ago if I could do it I would have said NO. But I did! And yes, there are still days when I could rip the cigarette from the hand of a passing stranger.....
I see the last time I was on this thread was a year ago. My apologies for not being more supportive.
Friends, you can do anything you set your mind to. It may not be fast or easy but you can do it.
All the best, She
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My PS never even asked me if I smoked. There was not even a space of the intake form for it. I do find that fascinating - although I had already quit it was really a non issue. I also smoked during lumpectomy and rads. My surgeon made me get a cardiac clearance before the lumpectomy and what a pain in the ass to have to go to the cardiologist 2 days in a row for all the tests. I swore I would not do that ever again.
Back from PS appt. Drains for at least another week. Got cleared to drive and go back to work half days. I sit in front of a computer most of the day anyway. I can either be productive and do computer work or sit and play games all day. Frankly, I am bored with the games.
She - Congrats on 3 years smoke free. You are such an inspiration to the rest of us.
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Dear She, YAY for you, 3 years,it is so nice to hear success stories.. Just as you said it is not easy but is doable, it will great to have you back to encourage newbies, although our newbies feel our support and support each other!
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Lisamarie: I'm with the rest in hoping you get a handle on the pain soon. As for the showering, I wrapped around my entire chest with Glad Press & Seal. Looked funny, but I was able to shower with no water on the drains or incisions.
Jap62 - Like Karen, I lit a cigarette in bed - BEFORE moving. I lit the 2nd one when my feet hit the floor. After smoking for 43 years, I quit almost 5 years ago & I swore if I was ever diagnosed with a life threatening disease, the first thing I would do was buy cigarettes. When BC came along 3-1/2 years later, I managed w/o smoking. Woo ha. I loved smoking. I miss it. It ruled my life. But you have to address quitting when you're ready or it won't work. We're here when you're ready - or just drop in from time to time to say hi. We're not judgemental since we've all been there.
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jap62, Healing after surgery isn't the only reason they want you to stop before surgery--it also complicates the anesthetic. Good luck
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