Stop Smoking Support Thread
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Hopes everyone is doing great , I had a really bad day yesterday , cant poop so I was so sick throwing up .. OMG .. anyway yesterday did come with good news as well , got my pathology report back and left side is clear nodes and all , right side nodes clear but she said it was very active with the lcis and adh and she thinks I made a good decision to do this . now its about getting back to me healing and trying to deal with the TE's and right now the pain sucks and due to the not being able to poop , I am stopping pain meds .. i cant deal witht he stomach issues .. I love u ladies sooo much .. and now my PS calls me his mirical because he asked me to be 3 weeks nicotine free and i went 6 .. he is sooo proud of me .. and I never could have imagined being cigarette free ever .. I owe a lot of it to u ladies and all ur support and love to me . I love u all vbery much ..xoxoxox , jo i hope all is going well with ur recovery ,, galsal how are u ? Karen hugs to u .. seaaside hugs to u too ... yeah where is maria ? hope well ..
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Judi - I hope that is the case, it is what I was expecting all along if me nodes were clear
The BS just threw me for a loop when he mentioned the thing about maybe I would want chemo because of my "young age"...(again, bless him)haha!. He also said, the tumer was ALMOST 2 cmm. It was actually 1.7cm at it's widest part...earlier, when looking at earlier path reports, it appeared to be 1.3 to 1.4 cm....not sure if this is the deciding factor..(size)? And maybe he just errs towards this treatment and believes in it..we shall see...I meet with Hematology/Oncologist this coming Tuesday, and with the Radiologt/Oncologist the following Wednesday. I am hoping they do an Oncotype test. I honestly am not too keen on chemo...but I'm not too keen on having a recurrence either...just need to learn more about my exact situation. Oh, the waiting game!! 0 -
Thanks Jo for the info - I always find this "stuff" so confusing. I too was 55 at time of diagnosis and my brain can't handle all this info coming at me. JustBeatit - love your BS sense of humour - we are all young; old to me is 99. Here's hoping that things going your way this coming Tuesday. Jo, I too hope you are recovering nicely .... it will be a nice day when we are all cancer free 5 years from the date of meds starting. Hang in there LisaMarie1968 .... nothing is worse when you haven't had a good "bm". I was beside myself but found that if I ate a few french fries, it started my system. Wasn't I smart, found a food I love & have a bm. I say that was a good day. Galsal, I think I just miss the act of smoking. I absolutely loved it but now it's just a memory!
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P.S. Joe, you are right about the rads treatment in Canada - 16 rounds every day is the minimum treatment. Dr. didn't recommend Taxo for me even though I could have taken it but said the SE of uterine cancer and blood clots may not be worth it - had to agree for me. I usually went to the dr. 1x a year and after this, seems like too much so I decided to cut it short. Here's hoping Canada's minimum rad treatment is effective!
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Judi - The "Canadian Protocol" for rads is slowly making its way to the US. I have talked to a few ladies that have received the 16 treatments. I don't think it will full take off here - if that happens, Rad Oncs won't make as much money and we will quit financing their next new car and/or home. Sheesh!
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Jo - too funny! Thanks for the chuckle ... good to see we still have a sense of humour after all of this. I agree .... we do a lot of financing for these docs!
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Hi my fellow smokers & ex-smokers ... We just met w/both my oncologist & reconstructive surgeon yesterday ... good news my cancer appears to be ER/PR+ which means it should respond to hormonal therapy ... more good news ... MRI shows that the lymph nodes are not affected (more testing to be done) ... great news, doctor will perform skin sparing bilateral MX, my areolas will be spared and I'm on the schedule to have full reconstructive surgery the same day as MX. Wow - that was awesome.
Now - given I have breast cancer this is all awesome ... but Plastic Surgeon says I have to quit smoking NOW. WTF?! Are you kidding me?! I'm a 30+ year, pack a day smoker! I've promised myself not to be a victim and to be as agressive as I possibly can to beat this crap ... but quitting smoking?! Now?!
OK ... I counted to 10 ... set a date ... Monday, May 7 is quit day. I'm not as strong as others, so I'll be using the good ole patch to get me through. I'm scared shiXless right now - but if I'm going to beat this crap and go back to a new normal, cigarettes are not part of that life. Wish me & my poor family luck. They might have to lock me in a padded room!
Anyone out there want to do this together?
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Welcome my3sunz42 - You have found THE best place to quit smoking. These ladies are so amazing. Each one has her own quit story and I know they will be along later to offer some tips and advice. I was a 40+ year smoker and I loved it. I never thought I could but I am now 9 1/2 months smoke free. I use an e-cig to take care of the hand to mouth habit. You can get them with nicotine and then work your way down to zero. That may be a good way to start. Rest assured we will be with you every step of the way. Don't fret if you smoke, just pick yourself up and start again.0
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Hi my3sunz, as Jo has said you won't find a better support system than right here. I was a 30 yr. plus smoker, and I loved to smoke, had one lit the minute the alarm clock went off. I joked that I would have to have my jaw wired shut in order to quit, and I'd probably find a way to keep smoking. Like Jo I used the e cig, stepping down to zero and becoming a constant gum chewer, better for the lungs. That first week was hard but doable, I came here everyday for support and encouragement, getting little tricks to help the craving lessen. I am a 16 mo. non-smoker on the 16th of this month. I feel better, my complexion is brighter and have used all the tips offered here, We have non-smokers at all phases of quiting. Some of the women are at 1+ month and you will learn alot from them, since they remember vividly the first few weeks. Take one day. one hour at a time if you need to. You went through cancer you can do this. Karen PS why don't you try cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke a day by 1, then 2 and so on.
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my3sunz, I was so afraid as well , omg i thought quit smoking I can never do that I smoked Marlboro cowboy killers .. and a pack a day for like 20something years . i can never tell anyone it is easy but I can say it is very doable . I just jeep sayoing "just for today i will not smoke" and the great support we have here is so amazing that words cannot say enough for how these ladies help and support and just love u .. just keep in mind u can do this and you will . we are all here for you , just sad to say we all meet due to BC ... well Hopes everyone is having a good day
.I am trying so hard . Mom left today very sad for me , I am staying strong trying to do things on my own again . I am having second thoughts about my TE's I feel like I just want them out . I cannot stand the pain and the tightness .. 
I feel im alone now and so be it if no man ever wants me boobs or not .. anyway emotional day for me luv u ladies much 0 -
oops ps I am 9 weeks and 4 days free of smokes and it just gets easier .. best of luck to you and ur family
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lisamarie, I knew you were counting in mos. now, and through all this anxiety and the procedure itself and now hurting, you still chose not to smoke today, you are a real trooper. I especially like how you gey on board when a new person joins us - it is so helpful for them, since you took that road not too long ago and it is a boost for you, you are far enough along to get the pleasure of helping others!!!!!!!! Very, very proud of you!!!!!!!!! Karen
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Had a PS appt today. Got one drain out and one to go. I knew before I went that one would not be coming out. It feels a lot better since I got rid of the one closest to my back. Don't have a pulling sensation anymore. Just gotta be patient.
Hope everyone is having a great smoke free Friday.
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aww Jo , I feel so bad for you with the drains , I hated every minute of those thins .. and hpeing soon ur other one will come out as well . Hugs to u
Karen ty , I try to help if I can .. I just didnt think id be able to stop smoking and well I am doing it so it makes me feel good .. Luv and hugs to u
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Hi my3sunz! Well, I can see we were all a bunch of "hard core" smokers! Imagine being faced with breast cancer and quitting smoking at the same time. Hardest thing for all us to do but these ladies and myself have done it. I used to say "it's my best friend, always there for me, doesn't talk back", etc., etc. Here I am today coming up 18 months smoke-free and I can't believe it. Sure, I could fall off the wagon ... I imagine myself with a coffee and a smoke and think "what bliss" but then I think of "C" and it ain't so blissful. Jo is right! You will find a way to quit and reap all the benefits. Someone told me that their uncle said it took him a full two years to feel like a nonsmoker but every step of the way, he could see himself there. So will you. These ladies have found a way to do it - I did it because I was having my surgery 2 days later and I was going under the knife, come @#@# or high water. No surgeon was turning me away. So it was an easy decision for me - no time to think about it. But, you have your support here and will be cheered on!
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Hi everyone, day 17!! I have had a horrible week at work, so the fact that I didn't cave has renewed my confidence. This is not easy, in fact it is really difficult, but each day when I look back and realize that I made it through, is so rewarding.
my3sunz42 Welcome. This place is great, you get so much support and encouragment. I am using Chantix, it has helped make this transition bearable. My latest trick, whenever my skin starts to crawl, because the craving is so strong, I eat a prune. I actually never had a prune until two weeks ago, but not only does it take care of the craving, it also helps with an unpleasant side effect of my meds.
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Dear babs, Day 17, you are going great guns, especially if work was hard this week. Nice little tip on cravings, killing two birds with one stone. Do you use the mantra, "just for today - I will not smoke", lisamarie coined that phrase to get her through the rough patches. I use one that was suggested to me by a former lovely lady when I was going through a really rough patch, "stay strong". Either one is great to use in a crisis. I love the way you women help support the newest members, it is twice as strong coming from you because it wasn't that long ago that you were in their shoes. I like to refer to it as a support group within a support group!! If you page back, you will see we got a really nice compliment on our thread from the Moderators, pretty great honor!!!!! Keep on keeping on. Karen
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Where is BarbaraA? She hasn't stopped by in a long time. I am not on any of the threads she posts on.
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Jo, checked BarbaraA using the search engine, she posted on May 1st on two other threads, sounds like she has been hugely busy with work. She'll pop in one day to congratulate the newbies. Do you women mind being called newbies? or would you rather a different name? if so, any suggestions? Karen
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My3, in order to have ANY recon surgery I'd have to be nicotine free for a specific period of time. When I learned that, I quit the very next day. I enjoyed smoking too and had for 30+ years. Was it worth it? HELL YES! No recon done just yet but waiting on it hopefully soon.
Lisamarie, you did it...just for today you would not smoke!
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I recently popped into to make a comment, and found I really liked the strong women on this thread. Just wondering .... it would be interesting to count together all of are years smoking and realize we mostly did it out of habit. We sure didn't have anyone encouraging us to "smoke". Now the shoe is on the other foot, and all the encouragement is there "not to". So ladies, we are all strong and like everyone else, just keep putting one foot ahead of the other to stay that way. We can do it.
For the ladies that are feeling under the weather, tomorrow will come and it be will better. You all rock, remember that!
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Karen, Thanks for the update on BarbaraA. I worry about those we don't hear from in a while.
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Guess I'm the senior member. It will be 5 years in July. (not to mention I'm probably the oldest too) My3 - I used Chantix and literally went for a walk every time I wanted to smoke. If you have the time, I believe in cutting back in steps. But others swear that is just rationalization. LisaMarie - wonderful that you've made it through all the pain & problems w/o giving in. Babs - cheering for you. Judi H - thanks for weighing in. And as always thanks to Jo & Karen & everyone else who makes this thread a succdess.
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Good for you Minus...I too used Chantix and did do the walking thing for those specific times like just waking up in the mornings, chewed gum while driving, etc. Congrats on your years of freedom!
May all have a blessed Saturday and just for today, we will not smoke.
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MinusTwo - Wow! Five years - you go girl. What an inspiration you are to the rest of us.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
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WOW Minus two congrats on the Five !!! Wooo Hooo ..
Hi Jo, how are u feeling ? I hope good .. I cannot shake this pain tightness nausea and not pooping , I feel like dying funny thing i wont smoke .. lol
Hope all u lovely ladies are having a great healthy smoke free weekend .. Lots of Love and Hugs to ya
Congrats Babs 17 days is great .. like the ladies told me here soon u will be counting in Months .. It seemed so far but wow it comes so fast .. keep on keeping on you are strong and just for today you will not smoke and neither will I Big Hugs
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Great weekend so far .... sunshine outside, exercised today and feel great! Wow, MinusTwo .... 5 years is fantastic. Do you still count or are you over that fruitlity? Just think ladies, we will be there as well. Lisamarie68 ... I think you need to get your situation checked out .... pain/tightness/nausea and plugged up is not good. I sure know how you feel and now I'm the opposite way ... just wished it would make it's mind up. Hope you feel better. Ladies, have a fabulous weekend!
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Thank you both for your encouraging words. I'm overwelmed with the support available in these discussion boards - there are so many amazing woman out here that go the extra mile to help each other. I'm counting down the hours until my quit day (Monday, May 7th) and I'm determined not to let this nasty habbit limit my abilities to fully recover! Thanks again!
cheryl
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my3sunz, mark that date on your calender, as lisamarie will attest soon you will be counting in months the time of you being a non-smoker. One of the greatest things is answering a doctor's question of "do you smoke" and proudly saying "no. I quit".
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You have meade me think. I "thought" I gave up smoking but went onto the electronic ones with just nicotine in them. You have made me think again and think it is about time to stop atogether electronic or otherwise. You CAN do this. I am going to do this too. Thank you
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