Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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lisamarie, you are right - halfway between Buffalo and Rochester.
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I remember hearing of batavia .. maybe passing through on my way somewhere , I did go to Buffalo to do my physical and get sworn in for army national guard.
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Lisamarie,
Sorry that you and Jo are still hurting! I think just maybe the surgery recovery might be sort of like quitting smoking in that, just when you think you just can't do it anymore, the clouds part and it gets easier! I hope that things get easier on BOTH fronts for you! Holy Cow... Now that I look... You are almost to 3 months!!!! You are rockin' it!!!
Bama,
Sorry that the tats didn't turn out exactly as you wanted... I know they can sharpen up old 'regular' tattoos that have faded so I sure don't see why they couldn't do a touch-up on yours to get them just right! Lord knows, you deserve it!!
O2B,
Always great to hear from you!
JudiH,
Good tip on the tape!!0 -
my3sunz,
Congrats on day 4!!! Those early days are the most difficult but, once you are past them, it does get easier! Not sure the desire to smoke ever goes away 100% but it does change where, most days you just don't think about it and, when you do it's more of a fleeting thought....
Galsal,
Congrats on getting the go ahead for the DIEP! When I was considering a BMX, did a consult with a PS at Johns Hopkins for a DIEP... She was quite frank in saying she would not consider it unless I quit smoking due to a high rate of failure.... While I decided on a lumpectomy, her words stayed with me and were a big motivator to my quitting... If I am ever faced with this again, I want all options available to me! Hope things get moving slong for you!0 -
Karen,
Things here weather-wise were really weird today! Cold (like 40's) and really windy so felt colder yet! By the weekend we're supposed to be back in the 70's... Been very much an " If you don't like the weather just wait a minute" kinda year! My poor garden is soooooo confused!!0 -
Jo: There is a thread here about the problems w/tape - link below (or copy & paste). Some can tolerate Medipore H. I can only tolerate Hypafix. Worth a look. Sorry about the drain but better the drain than seromas or lipomas, etc. down the road.
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/756050?page=12#idx_339
Fierro: Welcome. At five years out I usually don't want a cigarette more than once a month & the urge passes quickly. Such a change from a new non-smoker when I wanted a cigarette every hour, or even more often. It does get better.
And everyone else - just for today !!!
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Fierro, I'm 17 months now free from the smokes and I agree with MinusTwo. The urge does strike but passes quickly. What I'm enjoying now is smelling the smoke on others and thinking "God, did I smell like that". My sister who has quit for over 32 years says she still gets the urge. Now, we all just think of our health and yes, we want all options available. Welcome to the group who will support you all the way. Ladies you should be able to get the "flash tape" as it is made in the U.S. Label says any questions write to Brazabra Corp, 8 Run Way Lee, MA 01238. Tee hee, love the corp's name. Sunny up here in Toronto and supposed to be 25 - ha, ha. Now that's a job to have - a weather person - you can be wrong so much and still keep your job! Happy Friday everyone!
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Back from PS appt. I had some red in the drain and thought this was a big problem. Turns out it was a blood clot that can happen and nothing to worry about. Red fluid is gone and we are back to clear. I have to start emptying the drain much more often so the cavity has a chance to shrink. Now looking at Wed of next week.
No special plans for Sunday. DH and I do not have children.
I do hope each and everyone of you gets special treatment on Sunday. You more than deserve it.
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Awww Jo , I wished u could have had the drain out .. i am so sorry .. I will pray u get it out soon .. hugs
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Dear Jo, thank God it was nothing to be worried about, and the fluid is now clear. The fluid must be what got trapped in my breast and led to an infected seroma, they had to aspirate it 3 times and on antibiotics for three courses of antibiotics. With the drain, it gets to empty directly through the drain. Is it in an easy place for you to reach?, or does DH have to help you? Don't get discouraged, you have all of us pulling for you. We need our Jo back, spirited and feisty, so we shoot for Wednesday. Did they figure out a way to anchor it, so it doesn't pain you? Gentle hugs {{{{{{{{{{Jo}}}}}}}}}}, Karen
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Karen, The drain is on my left side and I can manage it myself. I also had a seroma after my lumpectomy and had to have it aspirated several times. The first I knew of these was when my BS was going to insert the balloon catheter for the Mammosite. He took quite a bit of fluid off - then I knew why my breast was so huge. It wasn't all swelling from the surgery.
Don't fret - I will be back soon enough.
Hugs
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I have a story for you about quitting smoking. I smoked since I was 13, on an off, mostly on. A month ago, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, with the markers for fast spreading and reduced survival. It was like being knocked over by a truck. I got on a plane to fly to the mainland as I live on a Pacific island. In Narita airport in Tokyo, I went to one of those bars, all glassed in to keep the smoke in. I stood there, next to a guy, we lit up at the same time. I looked at him and blurted out "I have breast cancer". We both looked at our cigarettes and mine dropped into the tray. My last, and it has been over 3 weeks. I don't even think about it. I have had a few of what you may call cravings, but eating or drinking water or exercising gets rid of them. I have a natural revulsion for it, powered by cancer. We can use it to quit! It is powerful:-)
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alowen2, a cold turkey quitter - good for you and obviously it is working. You are doing all the right things to halt a craving in its' tracks. Mark the day on a calender, you'll be counting by the months in no time. Congratulations
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Congrats Alowen2 and welcome . sorry u are here on such terms .. BC sucks !
Well just when i thought my life could get any worse .. i am temporarily on unemployment for surgery and I was supposed to get 400 a week , but due to child support that I pay , I will only be getting 200 a week .. my rent is 1300 so I figure now I will be in pain and homeless .. if there is anything I want right now it is a cigarette : (
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lisamarie, money problems are simply the worst, you are paying out child support?, so it deducts $200 from your weekly expected $400. A friend of mine found herself in dire financial straits recently. We have a Community College close by and she turned her study into another bedroom and let the college know she had a room to rent. She got alot of responses and was able to screen them via phone and if they sounded good, she invited them out for coffee. She had a roommate by the next month, it is working out well, she is a very nice girl, you do lose your privacy, but it is surely helping her out. And it is money you can count on each month.
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aww thanks karen , yes i pay child support.. i wished I had a room to rent .. but it was a thought . I am an emotional mess , i was about to go to store and buy me a pack of cigarettes and i saw the worst smoking commercial and decided not to .. i guess just for today
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As the author of that post, "Just for today I will not smoke", hold on lisamarie, you can do it.
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lisamarie - Hang in there. You will figure something out. (((HUGS)))
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Jo, here's to you feeling better ... my DH & I have no children either so it will be a quiet day but that's o.k. Happy Mother's Day to each and everyone of you who will be celebrating!
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Hang in there lisamarie, Jo hooray for you, Congrats Alowen, Karen hope things are good...know I've forgotten many.
Another day down of not smoking. Feels GREAAAAT
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Lisamarie... Financial issues are really rough! Sounds like the unemployment is temporary while you recover which hopefully is right around the corner... Could you maybe work something out with your landlord? Maybe a break this month in exchange for extra for the next few months to make it up ? Just a thought.... Remember smoking will not solve this problem and will add to your financial difficulty! Just for today... We will not smoke!
Hugs!0 -
Welcome alowen2!
Great story! Each of us has their moment when we decide that we are kicking this habit out of our lives... It's different for each of us but, when the time is right, you just know it! Glad to have you with us!0 -
Jo,
Sorry about not being able to ditch the drain! So frustrating I'm sure but good things come to those who wait!!! So hear's hoping Wednesday is the day!!
Galsal,
Yay! Another day down and feeling good!!
JudiH,
I have children but have mixed feelings about Mother's Day weekend... I got my diagnosis phone call the Friday of that weekend back in 2009 so much of that emotion tends to resurface.. I think we will spend this weekend just doing normal stuff around the yard (weather permitting)... So nothing too exciting planned...lol
Karen,
You are doing such a great job in encouraging everyone!!! Hope things are going well for you! Love ya...But you already know that!0 -
Seaside, I have those same feelings in August 4 days before my birthday. We are being treated by my DGD and DGS to french toast and bacon for Mother's Day breakfast. Then at four will be going to my stepdaughter's for desert and chocolate martinis for me, Margaritas for everyone else. I'll hold myself to 1, I sure can't drink like I did in college. Had a glass of wine at the art show and had a huge hot flash and a cheap buzz. Off to bed, I'm a real party animal!!!
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Jo, the first time I saw a clot in my drain, I freaked out, so I know what you mean. I feel like this one drain is never going away, but the amounts are FINALLY going down (after nearly 4 weeks) and it may go next week. Here's hoping you get rid of YOURS, too.
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It's a brand new day and just for now we will not smoke! Kudos to those just starting out and Bueno to those hanging in there!
Get those drains out and enjoy folks! Hated those things.
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Alowen2, I quit the same way you did and 17 months I'm still not smoking. My thinking was the same as your's but the urge is creeping up. It's only once in a while but it is still there. I'm sure in a few years, I won't even think of it. Seaside, I hear you on your feelings about Mother's Day ... it is so unfortunate that it has to happen around a special day. Mine was Christmas but now I look at it and say "I'm here to celebrate". Enjoy the day whatever you do! Lisamarie ... what a tough time you are going through ... if you want to move to Toronto, you can live here rent free!
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Seaside, I hear you also about mixed feelings with certain days. Dx was two weeks (12/14) before Christmas which means my Birthday too. (12/26). Had the Breast MRI on 12/23. Made for a somber holiday and birthday.
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Fierro6 - Yes, hoping we both have a drain removed. On Wed it will be 4 weeks and that is enough. Please keep me posted on your progress.
For today, I will not smoke.
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well I am sad and embarresed to even come back here now , my emotions and life got too much for me and I smoked ! I feel terrible and I feel like a complete failure , I thought i had this thing beat at least for now .. seems I was totally wrong , I sit here in pain emotionally and physically and alone and feel as if my whole world has just crumbled around me ... I am so sorry for lewtting everyone down including myself Bless all of you for your strength , I admire u all and love u all
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