Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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MaddyMac,
Yes, I had the u/s guided wire localization the morning of my lumpectomy....Was given a shot of lidocaine and really wasn't a big deal. I figured it helped my BS know exactly where she needed to concentrate!
And, in reference to Mom's... Mine... Love her but Omg... She tries so hard but just falls apart!! Then it becomes me trying to deal with my stuff AND comforting her.... Sometimes I feel like... Thanks for coming but do us both a favor and go.... I'll let you know how it all turns out....
Hope this doesn't make me look like a witch but... just how I'm feeling tonight!0 -
Seaside, welcome to my back porch. I used to smoke back there, and now I sometimes just sit and talk to my dogs and talk on my phone and do all the things that I did while smoking back there. I now do everything except the smoking, and you are all welcome, all the time. If you don't like dogs, there may be a problem, but there are only two, and they're awesome.
My3Sunz, yes I did: Not a good pic, forgot to remove shades and bluetooth, still in the truck, etc etc, but we cut off over 8 inches.
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MinusTwo - Thanks. That is my four legged fur baby. He is a shelter dog and a mom's dog LOL! My little revision is going to be done in the doctor's office - no big deal. Just gonna move the "football patch" over a bit. Some days are pretty rough living with a smoker and working with 2 smokers. There are times I take a puff of DH's cig and it reminds me why I quit. I would be much easier if he would smoke outside but that is not going to happen.
MaddyMac - I will be there for the pocket party. Love the emergency whining test - don't drink Johnny Walker but wouldn't mind Jack Daniels Black. LOL
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Jo- if you like Jack Black, treat yourself to Gentleman Jack sometime. Sooooo smooth.
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Fierro.... No worries on the dogs.... We have been owned by dogs since we were just married (so 25 years)! Our last one was my companion all though my diagnosis and treatment... She was by my side every step of the way and, ironically, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (an agressive bone cancer) and, after a couple of short months, had to be euthanised!! I miss her each and every day!!
Jo,
A bit of Jack Daniels will definitely fix what ails ya......0 -
Wow, that was a lot of posting done there. I was having trouble keeping up with who had a smoke, who didn't, who is getting surgery, who is seeing a doctor, etc., etc.!
I think it must be a full moon because some of us having fallen down, other's want to fall down (myself), and other's who are holding us up. One way or another we will beat this demon ... how can that little cigarette demon hold so much power over us? We know when we use it and we know not to use it, but somehow it tricks us. So, everyone, pull your "panties" up and think positive. Imagine if some go "commando" - can't use that line! Anyways, we will succeed, as we are "the champions".
MaddyMac, I had the wire brush inserted prior to my lumpectomy - used to guide the surgeon to the lymph nodes. I didn't have lidocaine - use something different up in Canada (they said it was a nuclear shot). Nurse said it would hurt and be over as fast as I said "ouch" and she was right. No big deal but after 5 hours of this piece of wire brush in me, I wanted to rip it out because it kept brushing against me and it was ticking me off. Oh well, it did what it was supposed to do.
So, to all the smokers who are back on track .... congrats!
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Aha!! Now I understand all the "pocket" references! I knew I'd tumble to it eventually. Since there are various pocket events coming up, I will add a few Bechet sea-salt caramels to the communal pocket. I almost wish I had not discovered these they are tooooo good. And I gotta stick with JW Black, but I respect JD sippers too.
You know, I'm sitting here on Fierro's back porch, where the moon is napping in an overhead tree, and it's OK to bi$ch about our moms. My dog Dancer (who is 15 years old now, and half coyote) is lying on my feet, and other people's dogs are draped appealingly here and there, and some of us have been lunching on South Padre Island, and I really have to say: what couldn't we do, with this kind of strength?
I think we're amazing.0 -
MaddyMac,
I agree! We ARE amazing!!
Fierro,
Hope you have a big porch because I'm thinking there's going to be a bunch of us pulling up a chair....lol!0 -
I wish I'd had you girls around when I quit - you are all amazing with each other... what support and friendship.
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It's a big enough back porch, but I'm starting to wish I'd swept out the dog hair before you all showed up. Please do NOT look down. Oh, and if someone looks out at you while you're here, say, "I need a few minutes...I'm having a smoke." That's what I do, and the look I get for not having a cigarette anywhere near me is priceless. My kids just say, "O...Kay?" and walk back in the house, shaking their heads.
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Fierro - LOL!
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Go, Lisa! Go, Everyone!! You really CAN do it!!!!
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Now all that reading about slipping and having a smoke made me slip and have one. Ooooh it was sooooo good. Probably the best ciggie I've had ... also had it with liquor, coffee, friends, dancing, you name it. I didn't feel bad about it at all. The joy of the smoke .... couldn't have been happier. No one said anything to me; no one looked at me in horror; oh, I think I was all by myself. Imagine my display when I woke up and realized it was only a dream. Shucks .... I was all excited. Now today, that's all I've been thinking about .... having a smoke. Haven't done it!
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Judi - You had me there for a minute. What a dream. At least that is all it was.
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Had me too JudiH, I was preparing my don't beat up on yourself counsel, but was dismayed by how much you enjoyed it, before I knew it was a dream.
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Ahhh. The key to the perfect cigarette has been discovered! You can enjoy it as much as you want without any health concerns, there is no social stigma, no pain in the pocket book. Yeah. The perfect smoke. I think I'll have a few tonight. Maybe I'll replace the chairs on my back porch with some cots.
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Ha, ha! I thought you would all get a kick out of my "smoking adventure".
Funny Fierro. I couldn't believe it! I read your comment about your friend who has the lung cancer and it keeps you from smoking. I hear you and I admire your strength. I watched my brother die of lung cancer and I just threw his smokes away .... didn't want them "affecting me". But boy oh boy, all this smoking talk as been on my mind and, I'll tell you, it probably was the best smoke I've ever had!
I was even telling some "ex-smokers" today and they said it gets a little harder as time goes by. I can't speak for others but right now it is always on my mind, so I think that's why I'm finding it hard. But, I'm like all of you (except being a little wee Canadian), we are trying so darn hard to kick this to the curb!
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Go Lisamarie, Go! We already KNOW you can do it, you've done it before. Just for today I did not smoke. You're one strong female, girl!
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Go lisamarie go, you are a warrior, "just for today" author, be strong girlfriend.
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Go Lisamarie Go!!!
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Lisamarie, I echo everyone else's support ... you can do this!
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Thanks girls , i have no idea why its so hard now ... I do love u guys so much . u show me such strength and concern, with lots of unconditional love . Judi , im glad that was a dream .. I almost thought oh no .. Love ya girls
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Lisamarie, it's a go but a sometimes we can slip. So, we just move ahead and think only that we will make it. I'm finding these days very hard - yet I'm standing in a group of smokers and could easily get a smoke, but don't even think about. Go figure .... I can't understand why I'm craving one so bad but don't think about bumming or buying smokes! Must be my old age ... brain can't think fast enough!
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Developing an ICE plan, (in case of emergency). Plan ahead so you have a plan of what to do for those times when a craving comes from "out of the blue". Develop resources for those emergency times. Sometime you cannot identify the reason for the craving; all you know is that you just want to smoke.
Identify early warning signs. What thoughts, feelings or actions might lead to back to smoking?
• "I can control smoking".
• "Nobody's going to know".
• "One won't hurt".
• "I don't have any other way to relieve my stress".
• "I can't have a good time without smoking".
• "It's my only vice left".
How can you reframe these types of thoughts or what can you say instead?
Identify high risk situations. You are most likely to relapse in situations you are not prepared for. The situations or emotions may be so infrequent; it would be hard to foresee all possibilities.
• Review your tobacco use record for certain places or people where you are mostly to smoke.
• Do you live in a state that still allows smoking in restaurants and bars where the combination of alcohol, being around other smokers and having a good time can led to a relapse.
• Do you live in a state that has banned public smoking, how will you handle when traveling to another state where smoking is allowed? Or your annual vacation that has in the past always included your cigarettes?
• Other smokers might try to sabotage your success. Practice saying "no".
• Avoid social situations if you might be tempted to smoke.
• If you're at a social event, and feel tempted, leave and protect yourself from caving in to "just having one".
• Do you still go out to the "butt hut" or the smoking area on your work breaks or with your smoking buddies?
• If you have quit and then relapsed before, what caused you to pick up that first cigarette? Have a plan to do something different when this situation comes up again.
• Continue to develop, practice, and improve new coping techniques to deal with stress and negative emotions.
Your ICE plan for those "out of the blue" cravings that comes up should include answers to these questions:
• What can you say to yourself?
• How can you change your behavior to avoid smoking?
• Who can you call who will help you? Identify your social support and have their phone number available.
• Where is a safe place for you to be?
• What tips on your action plan helped in similar situations?
• Cigarettes smoked out of habit, require a change in behavior. Cigarettes smoked for emotional reasons, require a change in thinking.
• Write down the answers to these questions in your notebook, so you can read back your ICE plan when you need to.0 -
Hi Jennifer
It's been a long time! Hope all is well with you. I'm doing great. Smoke free for 21 months now. Who would have believed it?
Life just gets the better of me at time but in a good way. Very busy!
Now I'm trying to lose the 20 lbs I gained from quitting and the tamoxifen. MO putting me in Arimidex I think in November. Did you change your meds?
It looks like you have everything under control here
Keep in touch!
Love ya,
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Jan!!!
So glad to hear from you and equally happy to hear that you are still going strong!!! seems like just yesterday that we all were just starting out and look at how far we've come!
I have also been battling the double whammy of weight gain from quitting smoking and Tamoxifen.... Have managed to shed 10 of the 20 lbs that I'd like to ditch.....
My MO brought up the prospect of switching to one of the AI's at my appt back in January... I balked and he agreed to stay the course (Tamoxifen) for now..... I suspect
when I see him in July he will be looking to switch me!
So happy to hear from you!!0 -
Helllooooo ladies! Doesn't look like a real bad day up here in Ontario. Looks like it is going to rain but I hope that holds off till I put some soil/rocks/plants in my garden. I am on an Al (Letrozole) and I chose this for me over Tamoxifen for 2 reasons: 1) my age and 2) the risk of cervical cancer. I am done with cancer and I thought why risk it. Like both of you Seaside and Jan508, I quit smoking and when on my meds. It seems we all gained the same amount of weight - the magic 20 lbs. Has I mentioned before Seaside, I upped my exercise routine and even paid for a personal trainer to develop a program for me. Seems it working - I saw the light the other day. AND, yesterday, one of my operators who quickly pointed out the weight gain when he first saw me after my return to work, told me that I've lost weight. Yayyyyyy! I'm getting firm (like a peach) and losing that muffin-top somewhat. So, with me going to be 57 this year, I say "not bad" for 57. Not 25 but o.k. So, I point of all of this is the Als aren't so bad - my MO said it would work itself all out and now 16 months out of surgery and starting the meds, it's o.k.
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I also gained that "magic" 20 lbs. Can't really blame it on Tamoxifen. Had already been on it for over a year when I quit. I needed to gain at least 10 lbs - I was too thin. Now the goal is to lose at least 10 libs.
Seaside - I am kinda stuck with taking Tamoxifen. Can't handle the AIs so I won't have to worry about being switched. My concern is last year when I had my annual pap, I had been on Tamox for 6 months and after a transvaginal US had a very thick uterus and a 1.5cm fibroid tumor. Three days later had a hysteroscopy/D&C. Don't want to have to worry about cervical cancer either. I had planned on talking with my GYN about a complete hysterectomy and ovary removal this year but will hold off another year. Just have recon surgery and don't want to go through 2 major surgeries in the same year. Oh the crap we had to go through.
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Jo, quick question. At our age, do we need to have the hysterectomy/ovary removal. I also don't know what would cause thick uterus? Somethings I'm just plain ignorant about. However, I did find a wonderful product that helps us older gals/cancer surviviors with relubricating the vaginal area. Will share if interested?
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Judi - I don't know for sure but I do know that if will help prevent cervical cancer, I am willing to have it done. I have a long history of the fibroids and just don't need something else to worry about. The tumor that was found last year is still in there - he did not remove it. He said he wouldn't unless it bothered me which I guess it doesn't. I see my GYN on the 20th of this month and I am going to have a talk with him about this. I have 3 1/2 more years on Tamoxifen. UGH! What is this lubricant you are talking about. Yes, I would be interested. You can send me a PM if you like.
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