Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Seaside, I want to join a quit meter!! How affirming! 9 grand?!!! Wow.
Galsal.....Woah! I thought my PS nicotine testing me was interesting. You are right....it is good to be smoke free.
Jenjen, 5 years is such a long time. I've never even made it one year in my adult life. So many have quit. It is the minority to smoke any more.
Ms. Judi, tequila?! Ha! Reminds me of this youngster when I was in college (I graduated at 40 so not too long ago). They were all youngsters but that's beside the point....anyways, she was told a shot of tequila would help her do better on the anatomy exam and offered me some. I respectfully declined not EVEN trusting myself on tequila as I don't drink too often. Poor kid....it didn't work. At least you can pile it on and enjoy yourself if you get sick! Ha!0 -
SeasideMemo, thanks for the info. All I can say is "wow" re the quit meter. I often wonder how much I have not smoked since I quit. Your stats just amazed me. The money saved is unbelievable. I think I just switched my savings from smoking over to clothes buying. But at least I'm not smoking.
Galsal, the benefit plan is the way the companies are going. I remember when I first started working in the Toronto Health Department in 1976, and the anti-smoking movement was starting. I thought at that time, this will never take off, and who are these "goons". Now 36 years later, the smokers are the "minority". Times are a changing! Ten months out for you - how fabulous!
Jenjenl, we all will be there like you - 5 years. Hard to believe isn't it. I was just saying to a smoker how many months that I have been smoke-free, and he couldn't believe it. He said it was just yesterday we were both outside having a smoke. I can hardly remember those days and it ain't because I'm getting old, tee hee!
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Judi,
Lol on switching the cash saved on one thing to cash spent on another!! I did the same with DH's blessing.... A portion of my savings I spent on me, me, me!!!! The rest I put aside to save! My savings have more than paid for the new family room furniture that we bought right around the time I finished treatment...
Beckers,
There are lots of good quit meters available for free! I chose quitnet because they didn't require a lot of personal information and they download nothing onto your computer...
Love getting my e-mail once a month... Reminds me of how far I've come... I will pass the $10K saved mark next month... Just Unbelievable!!! I see you are in CA... I think you guys are right up there with us in NY on the cost of cigarettes so your savings will add up fast!!0 -
Hello ladies! Very quiet here but that must be a good thing. Karen, you and I are coming up two years not smoking. On the 20th for me. Because it is cold here, I can't stand the smell of smokers .... I can't believe I smelled like that in the winter!
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Hi all, today is 23 months for me JudyH, hard to believe it has been that long. Unbelieveably still get the occasional craving, but have resorted to my binky instead of succombing to the urge. Had to get coats drycleaned last winter to get rid of the smoke smell, it is the stale smoke smell that bothers me. Hope all are doing well, this is a tough time to soldier through. Karen
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K, congats to you! Imagine cleaning your coats because of smoke. I remember washing my ski jackets frequently because of the smoke - smoked outside and boy you would smell. I was at our LCBO - liquor store - hard liquor, wine, liquors, is only sold at our government agency which is the Liquor Control Board of Ontario - and smokers were buying their stock. Yikes, some of them reeked so badly then I was cringing. Imagine that! Before I would noticed it but not cringe. Oh well, one positive thing came out of breast cancer!
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CONGRATS ON 2 YEARS!!!!!!...smokers do stink! Ha! I should say, cigarette smoke makes things stink. I used to wash my hair daily because of it and it was a dried up tumbleweed. I'm grateful to have approx 6 months!!!!! I think it helped me so much because of making it through the triggers that would have had me back smoking in the past. Plus, I don't fall for it when my head tells me I can just have one and won't do it again.
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At eleven months now. Passed my cancerversary this week without thinking of cigs. WOW, surprising even to me!
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Beckers.....HOORAY on 6 mos!!!!, I remember the first day you posted, a half a year smoke free, through triggers and going strong. Galsal.....YEAH on 11 mos.!!!!!, I remember the first time I saw your post and thinking - YUP. she's going to make it. Merry Christmas, a bit early to all of us, non-smokers all.
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Judi, Congrats on the upcoming 2 YEAR mark!!! That is a huge milestone....
Karen, You and I celebrate our quit-aversaries in January.... Two years for you and three for me.... Yay for us!!! Hmmmm... I think maybe we each have one Chocolate Martini for each year.... Could be interesting...lol!!
Beckers and Galsal, Couldn't be prouder of you both!!! You made up your mind to kick that habit the heck out of your life and you slayed a beast that ranks up there with one of the toughest out there!! You should be very proud of yourselves!!0 -
Soooooooo Ladies, I have a dilemma on my hands that I hope I can get some insight on from you all...
Those that have been on this thread for a long time already know this but for those who haven't, some background...
I quit smoking almost 3 years ago with help from the ladies with me on this thread. Prior to quitting I did a huge tapering off on the number of cigarettes smoked by going outside to smoke (trust me in NY in January you have to really want a cigarette to go out to smoke one...lol)...
So what's the problem?
Well, it's my in-laws both of whom smoke and will be coming here for the Christmas holiday as they do every year. We have said that it is OK for them to smoke in the house when they visit for the past almost 3 years even though it kills me because we bought new furniture after I stopped smoking in the house! They are in their 80's and DH can't see making them go out to smoke so I've sucked it up and dealt with it by opening windows to add some ventilation... However, this past week both of my kids (young adults really) have mentioned that the reason they either hang out in their bedroom or go out when Grandma and Grandpa are here is because the smoking is just so bad...
So now I don't know what to do.... I feel like we have allowed them to smoke in our home even after I quit so to now tell them they have to smoke outdoors (or in the garage) may cause a rift but.... on the other hand.... I feel like because of their smoking I am missing spending Christmas with my kids... And, if I'm being truthful, my house does stink for weeks after they leave...
I truly feel caught between a rock and a hard place.... Any and all thoughts or ideas are welcome...0 -
Seaside, I feel it's no longer socially appropriate to smoke indoors. It seems kinda shocking to hear of someone who smokes indoors these days. Can you set them up an area in garage with space heater? Just do it and show them when they first get there.
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Dear Seaside, truly a tough one, I wll mull it over but on first glance it does put me in mind of my cutting back a number of years ago (did not quit) and my garage. I was in southern Pa. at the time but it was still cold. I picked the corner of the garage farthest from the garage door and set up a smoking area. An old easy chair and footstool, an old cabinet for cigs, ashtray and to put my coffee or libation on and a space heater, also the "old" Buffalo Bill's stadium throw. I fear I made it too comfy, I spent a lot of time out there reading, the dog even had an old army blanket he laid on as eventually he always accompanied me. The tricky part - how to break it to them, is DH on board too? I'll give that some thought, doesn't help that they are in their eighties. I spent alot of time out there!!! Karen
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Hi Seaside, good to hear your voice again! This is a tough one but doeable. Your DH would have to be on board to make it possible. If he is, then let them know ahead of time that you have set up a place for them in the garage to smoke with comfortable chairs and heating. It is your home, you have new furniture and your children don't like the smell - Period. It's hard but hopefully they will be respectful and honor your wishes...if not could you afford to put them up in a hotel/motel? Maybe this will help them cut down or possible even consider quiting themselves...
((((Karen and Jo))))
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P.S. My husbands parents are heavy drinkers...when I was dx'd my DH started drinking to cope and now he is in AA and I am in Alanon. He was a closet drinker, never physically abusive but emotionally it got bad (Dr Jekyl & Mr Hyde). We informed the in-laws that we will no longer allow alcoholic beverages in our home. It was hard for them! They used to bring a liquor cabinet with them when they came to visit. They are in their 80's too but this is for my DH well being and the mental health of our family and you know what, they have really cut back in their drinking since then!
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o2bhealthy, always so good to see your smiling face and as aways good advice, you were always here for me, as well as Seaside and sweetaerobabe and Barbara A. - hugs right back at you ((((((o2bhealthy)))))). love Karen 2yrs. in January, still feels unreal!!
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Beckers and Galsal, a BIG CONGRATS to both of you. It is probably the hardest thing we had to do in our lives but you made it. Galsal, happy cancerversary to you - you beat this sucker! It's amazing that we have all stayed strong and guess what, we are closing in on Seaside's heels .... 3 years - yay! I still sometimes think of a smoke but then I'm out and a smoker is nearby. Stinks to you know what and I never want to go back.
Ladies, off to Texas tomorrow so a very Merry Christmas to all and I hope your holidays sparkle and shine!
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Seaside, what a dilemma you have but I think honesty is the best! They probably will respect and understand this. Truthfully, I too used to smoke in my place until I bought my first house. My dh hated the smell of smoke so I took it outside. Karen, I made my seating just as comfortable and when my dog saw me grab a smoke, she knew where we were going. Thanks for the chuckle and the memory. I honestly think that people are understanding the no smoking indoors now and don't want to create a scene. Ask them what you could do to make it comfortable for them and see what they come up with. I used to go to my neighbour's garage as they had the heater and the chairs and they kept the garage door open. Not the best but when you want to smoke you put up with it. Also, when it is too cold, you cut your breaks shorter and don't go out as often. Good luck with your dilemma ... it will resolve.
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Ha! The garage memories!!! I think I've spent more time in garages than in the house. Last year, I was living in Oklahoma and they have moths....lots of moths. I would be in my garage at night ducking, bobbin n weavin.....slapping the air!
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Thanks for all the responses..... As usual I knew I could turn to you all for help and you would understand!! Thank You!
DH I think agrees in principle but he is a very mellow, don't rock-the-boat kind of guy... Plus, to be fair, his Dad does have arthritis pretty bad (although he says he's just fine) which I think plays into DH's reluctance...
I don't expect that anything subtle will work because when they visited while I was doing my outside smoking only taper it never occurred to them to take their smoking outside, too! Although, now that I think about it... When they were here this past summer I think the smoking was only on the back deck so maybe they get it but the cold is too much...
Sooooo, here's what I'm thinking (unless I totally wimp yet again) is this... We set up a little area in the garage (which they will walk through when they get here) and when they ask what that is we can say that we set that up as the smoking area when we had my family's Christmas get-together a couple of weeks ago (which we did have and my brother and SIL went out to smoke so just a little fib).... Maybe.... Hopefully... They will get the hint?
Karen and Judi,
Lol on the garage set-up!!! I was worried that I may get a bit too cozy so, since my goal was to show myself how much time I was wasting smoking and to eliminate the mindless smoking, when I hit the garage for a smoke I didn't set it up with any comforts and didn't do anything else other than smoke... Which, when it was cold, I got to the point where I could suck one down in 5 minutes.... Oh my.... Don't miss that at all!
Karen,
I also wonder what happened to Sweet.... She just kind of disappeared...
Beckers,
I'm with you... I think there is nowhere indoors except for your own home/car that anyone would expect to be able to smoke so why would they assume they can smoke in my home?
Michelle,
Been awhile and so glad to hear from you!!!
Your comparison to bringing alcohol into a home where someone is working hard to kick that addiction with smoking in a home where you know it could prove to be a temptation or really, quite frankly, just something that you don't want in your home anymore is a good one...
The stress of a serious illness does take it's toll on us and the people who care about us and sometimes our coping mechanisms aren't optimal. Glad to hear that DH is getting help from AA (a really great organization by the way) and you are getting support from Alanon (also great)....
Hugs my friend! Think of you often!0 -
You ladies are ALL amazing. Congrats. Best Wishes. Happy Holidays.
I love the garage stories. I did that the first few times I quit but it was too comfy for me. I had always smoked in my house & in my car. After I'd quit for 3 months, I had carpets & drapes & furniture cleaned and the car detailed. And washed all the clothes or took them to the cleaners. Don't want to go through that again.
Seaside: If you'r conflicted about being nice to these elderly folks, play the BC card. Your doc simply said you can't be around smoke - first or second hand. Therefore...the garage idea for them is great. I'm sure they'll understand. Or anyway they'll live with it.
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Dear Seaside, I think Minus Two's idea of playing the bc card is good, a tiny fib. Be sure to have enough blankets and throws to cover up your father-in-law and your mother-in-law and if you wimp out, you wimp out. And that's OK. much love, Karen
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I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd been on here until I saw the Thanksgiving wishes! I hope everyone is doing well and are still cancer free and smoke free. Merry Christmas everyone.
Karen: AU got a new coach, actually our old offensive coordinator was hired as HC. He's cleaned house and brought in a whole new staff, so maybe next year! Hope all is well with you. I saw on TV that Buffalo is having some bad weather. Stay safe and warm.
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Bama, so far it is just a light dusting, tomorrow we are supposed to get between 3-6 inches, not much for us, but it is supposed to be very windy and that will blow the snow sidewards, I don't drive, except in town when it is like that. Hope cleaning house will do the trick for Auburn, they just announced today that they will do a few million dollars worth of modernizing the stadium, so the Bills will be locked in for the next 10 years and would pay a hefty fine if they were bought by someone who wanted to move the team. There has been some talk of a shake up of leadership here but so far nothing concrete. I'm still smokefree, my daughter will try again in the New Year with an e cig, that's what I used. A very Merry Christmas to all the strong women on this thread, we are all into months smokefree, I'm coming up on 2 years, mid January. The Bills have 2 more games to go - hopefully will give a strong performance!
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Hello Ladies:
I am new on this thread and I see that everyone on it has successfully quit smoking. I, unfortunately, am still trying. I have used the patch, gum, the aid of a smoking cessation coach and even a psychologist. I'm still smoking. I'd like to quit by January 1st, but I am so stressed just thinking about it, I don't know if I'll ever succeed. I know I need to stop. Any advice would be really appreciated.
Carmen
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Carmen--you say you need to stop but do you want to quit?
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Dear Carmen, you do really need to want to quit because the first few weeks are tough even using the nicotine replacement devices and products, I had to keep busy when the urge to smoke hit, my house was spotless and I lost weight using an indoor recombent bike parked right in front of the T.V. I also tapered down the number I smoked each day till I was down to 6-8, I was also using the e cig, it satisfies the oral fixation and hand to mouth ritual. You can get them in different strengths of nicotine and taper that down to no nicotine. Others will be joining in to give you their tips and plans. We would certainly welcome you and support you on this site.
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VJSL8 - karen333 - you're both so right. Unfortunately, I happen to like smoking. It relaxes me and seems to clear my mind at the same time. I need the willpower and the desire to quit. Does anyone know where I can purchase an e-cig? This might do the trick. As you said Karen, the hand to mouth ritual for me is very comforting.
Thank you for the warm welcome and your support.
Carmen
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Carmen, that was my problem too. Nothing had worked, not even the ecigs that look like cigarettes. Only the new generation of ecig helped. If you want, I can pm you where you can get a set like mine, and also where you can buy organic e-liquid. Since I got mine, on the 5th of July this year, I didn't need another cigarette. Prepare yourself for about $90 to start, but that will include eliquid that would last for at least 3 weeks. After that it will be about $25 a month you need to spend for e-liquid and wicks (depending on how much you smoke).
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Carmen (and to anyone else on this board), I have written a book about becoming smoke free and the first part is all about how to increase your motivation and prepare a plan. I just need an email and I will send you a free PDF copy. good luck, VJ
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