Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Johnetta...I can also totally relate because I did not want to quit smoking even after I found out I had cancer. My boyfriend of many years hates smoking and also my parents quit smoking in their 30's so part of my motivation was thinking how could I face them going thru treatment and still smoke? Also I read here that chemo would only work 61% or 39% I can't remember which if I smoked, and that also scared me into quitting. My best friend quit smoking with Chantix and she swore by it and was a very heavy smoker until she was 65. She promised me if I really wanted to quit Chantix would take away my urge and I used an ecig for a few weeks as I transitioned. But the ecigs still have nicotine so I knew I had to get off them soon. I quit 8/18/13 and started chemo 9/4/13. I know I can never touch a cig again or I will be right back where I was. I was amazed how well the Chantix worked because I didn't believe it would work and I really didn't want to quit. I still to this day love the smell and enjoy it when someone next to me is smoking. So I personally recommend Chantix with the ecig temporarily. One I got some time in where I did not smoke I was so proud of myself I kept going. I honestly believed God made it easy for me once but I don't think He will again so in my mind no way will I ever pick one up again. I wish you the best and we are all here to support you as you quit.
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Johnetta, Hi and welcome . I honestly don't think that any of us really want to quit smoking. I Love Love Love to smoke , MY boyfriend smokes and I smell it all the time and that makes it so hard , but I am doing good , I also used chantix. I feel that it works well . I think it really takes the urges away . I did however gain weight but that has to do with the hand to mouth aspect . I was 97 lbs and now I am 109. I love everyone here they are so supportive and never judgmental. If we mess up we just start over and stop beating ourselves up over it . I am a hard head It has taken me a while to get here again . I needed to quit for my mastectomy and recon . I did well for 3 months then I went back and I have been on and off ever since ,,, This time it needs to be different, I just watched my aunt die of emphysema and as I held her hand and she passed I know I don't want to die that way .. so that has been my motivation .. I am not smoking and feeling well ... Good Luck and remember "just for today I will not smoke" Hugs ..
LisaMarie
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Thank you lovewins and minus two -
I had to go to the grocery store to day and didn't buy a pack and didn't smoke - so that's good. It sure is nice to have your encouragement. Day four in the box.
Johnetta - me too with the lovin it thing.
Minus Two - those are good tips. And I do like sunflower seeds. Night all.
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Welcome to Johnetta and Ziggypop! As MinusTwo said "we all loved smoking". It brought a smile to my face as I remembered saying this to everyone and still say it. But now I'm an ex-smoker - quit date for me was December 20, 2010. I honestly would never have thought I would have done it but I have. My neighbour is quitting on Monday and I had to chuckle as I saw the feistyness in her that we all have experienced. I was actually thinking of her before I heard that she was quitting that if she only quit with me, she'd be three years out. But it doesn't work that way .... poor women is going to find it hard as her husband has quit but told her not to as he loves the smell of smoke. What a whack job, eh? Yes, you may have some ups and downs but honestly, you will get there. I never thought I would have and other women here have attested to that as well. Look at LisaMarie .... by jove I think she is now a "nonsmoker". Good going LisaMarie. Johnetta and Ziggypop .... cry, scream, vent .... we are all here for you! Ziggypop, I live in Ontario and it's cold as blazes out there ... I honestly don't think I would have had a whole smoke with this weather ... cold help us!
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MinusTwo, that is awesome! I want to reward myself too, but decided I wanted to do it on a larger scale. Putting every dollar in a special jar meant specifically for a cruise. Never been, and figured it would be a great way to celebrate being cancer free when treatment is done by using money I saved not smoking.
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Welcome Johnetta! One day ,...even on minute at a time. You got this! I am in month 9 of not smoking and I was a 45+ year, pack a day girl. I went to the casino yesterday and I actually gagged from the smoke. Me gag? Unbelievable!! I disliked being in a smoky room. Me? Yup. It is now official...lol
Seriously, it is hard but worth it!
Happy New year ladies!
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April - great visual. And wow - 9 months!!! Good going.
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Hi ziggypop, I am sorry I missed you before . welcome to the group of the most amazing and supportive women I have ever known ... yes Judy I am finally getting there . I still am smoke free yeah .. the one thing I am doing different is not counting my time . I don't care how many days I am smoke free as long as I am smoke free. I think that counting had something to do with my downfall .. but crazy as it is I am not counting .. just know December 2013 is enough . I like the taste of the cigarette gross right lol.. well as I always say Just for today I will not smoke .. glad you are all here for me and never left me ... thanks for the strength , the love, and the encouragement to keep trying ... Love you all
xoxoxo
Lisamarie
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you are such a sweet spirit Lisamarie.
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LisaMarie, I think you are right about the counting but when it comes that you haven't smoke for 1 month, 2 months and so on, you will have figured out that you are a nonsmoker. But, I think it takes longer then that, am I right MinusTwo. I honestly don't know so I have to turn to someone who has been smoke free longer. But, I'm glad you have figured this out which was a crutch for you ..... as I said, by jove I think you got it. Remember LisaMarie, we all loved the taste of smokes and the smell of smokes .... work on that one as well. You will find that after a certain amount of time, you will think it is disgusting. Today, it was so cold out that I'm glad I don't smoke .... I went to a meeting after lunch and was glad I didn't have to go out and come in smelling. April, 9 months ... it's like having a baby ... hard but worth it. Lovewins ... intereresting fact you cite re the smoking and cancer treatment not working .... you always find out something you didn't know ... thanks for educating us. By the way, where is our missing girl ..... Rebecca where are you?
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Judi - funny - the first thing I thought about the 9 months was having a baby too. April - once again - kudos. As for keeping track of dates - I know the date I quit and that should go on your permanent medical record so jot it down. For awhile I celebrated each month that went by - that was up to about 18 months. Then i kept track of each year. Honestly I probably wouldn't remember now except all these docs keep asking when I quit so I've memorized the date - but I even forgot to celebrate this year. Hope I don't get the "7 year itch" this summer.
Ziggy & Johnetta - how are you doing?
Beckers - I agree w/Judi. Drop us a note when you get a chance. We miss you!!
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Hi everyone .. well it's about 9 degrees here today .. Brr .. just like judi I am glad I am not outside puffing and freezing ... today is a good day.... "Just for today I will not smoke"
Hugs
LisaMarie
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Doing okay. Although my nerves are on edge and I feel like I am going to explode. Keep chanting "Just for today." It is rough though!!!!
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Big Hug Johnetta.....xoxo
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Johnetta - don't be afraid to get patches or gum to tide you over. We're cheering for you & holding your hand & feeling your frustration.
Lisa Marie - hooray. Another day!!!
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Johnetta .... yay! You feel your nerves are about to explode but you didn't give in. Your on the road to recovery from smoking and all things are magnified 100x but your holding your own. Keep going .... we are there with you. LisaMarie, another day almost down .... pretty soon I'm going to be reading how many months you haven't smoked. MinusTwo, you won't get the 7 year itch .... remember all of the money you have saved .... this may be the year to have a big spending spree. How are you feeling .... almost done tx?????
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Hugs everyone .. still going strong ... Happy smoke free thoughts to you all
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LisaMarie .... great going. Now I have to ask .... how many days/weeks/months are you on? You must be so proud of yourself .... I know I would feel that way, but that's me. How is the job situation going?
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hello ladies - just stopping in before bed to say one more day down. Today is number 8, at two weeks I'm going to start counting in weeks rather than days. They switched my exchange surgery to the day after tomorrow instead of the end of the month. I have just been scrambling to get things done. I usually sleep for two solid days after anesthesia so I should do okay with the quitting for those days. : )
Thank you all for the encouragement - it means a lot to me.
Johnetta - I got some nicorette gum & have a piece when I really feel on edge. It seems to help (might just be a placebo effect).
Lisamaria - sounds like you're doing great
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Ziggy - 8 days - great news. Wishing you all the best w/the exchange surgery later this week. Please let us know how you're doing when you can. Wow - I'd be scrambling to get ready too. Well at least you don't have to make time to get to the store to buy smokes.
Johnetta - good idea about maybe having some 'gum' on hand just in case.
LisaMarie - more kudos. Yes, how's the job search coming? Or are you frozen in place by the weather? Medical job, right? Not sure if it's too far away from you but I had a friend who was at East End Hospice in Westhampton. It seems to be a wonderful place. They also have a summer camp for children who have experienced grief.
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Minus Two , Yes Medical but my CNA ran out 2 years ago due to me doing private duty . what types of positions do they have there , my question mark key does not work anymore ... I live close to West Hampton as I work in Remsenburg now . Judi , I am not counting my days this time . I feel like if I keep count and havent smoked in a while I just decide I can have one . so my new game plan no more counting ... I am feeling really good about this .. I just know December is my quit month ...ZiggyPop .. good luck with the exchange surgery . I know I felt better after exchange as I hated the tissue expanders more than anything .. then the implants were too big and uncomfortable so I had a second exchange to a smaller set and have been feeling better .. I still have not decided about nipples yet .. lol .. I am also studying for my CDL and if I can get it I will be able to drive an ambulette to transport patients back and forth to appt and such .. anyway I am feeling and doing good .. still going strong and I don't think I can do this alone so I am so glad that I have you ladies in my life ...Much Love and Hugs to you all
xoxoxo
Lisa Marie
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Good Morning,
I have been reading this thread for some time now and love the encouragement everyone shows to one another. I am writing this while I am smoking
. Here is my story dx in end of April last year, bmx in July, exchange in October. My left implant is not doing well and it is scheduled to come out tomorrow. It will stay out for at least a month and then I will start the process all over ith TE's and fills. I quit for 4 days prior bmx and succumbed to my anxiety and lit up again. It is apparent now more than ever that I do not have a choice but still I cannot find the will?!? 0 -
Myers, everyone here are very supportive. an when you slip up that is just what it is .. I have been quitting ans smoking for the last year or so . I guess there will come a time when you finally just give in .. that I guess is where I am at now . I just held my aunts hand at age 65 while she died of emphysema and I guess that was all I needed to give me the extra will power or what it was I needed. I just cant die that way . anyway welcome glad you are here .. I always say "just for today I will not smoke " but you can change that up to minutes or hours .. good luck ...Hugs
Lisa Marie
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LisaMarie, in CT, if you are a CNA doing private duty, you can get a letter from the client that states this and they will renew your license. Not sure about NY though. If you need to recertify and you are low income enough or collecting unemployment, you can go to your local One Stop and they will pay for you to get recertified. Google One Stop employment center in your area and then google the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) program for more information. Anyone who is not working and needs retraining, there are funds available nationwide through this program. Here is a link to the national site and you can find your area and then you won't have to google! http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/training/onestop.htmFor the rest of you ladies, hang in there! It does get easier!! I promise! xoxo
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April - great input for everyone.
LisaMarie - Sorry, I don't know about specific jobs at East End Hospice. My friend was a patient there so I just know what she & her family told me about the wonderful care.
Myers - Welcome. Whatever you need, we'll be there for you.
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ladies you are doing great! Well done Ziggy, Lisamarie and Johanna.
Welcome Myers...best of luck!
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Happy Friday ladies ....hope everyone has a great day !
Hugs
"just for today I will not smoke "
Lisamarie
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Another trigger i am thinking is boredom ... but not giving in ...
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Rah, Rah, sis boom bah. Toss them in the ash can. Ha Ha Ha. Can you tell I'm a little goofy at 2:30am? Been working on bills & taxes. UGH.
Go LisaMarie, Ziggy, Johnetta.
Myers - what do you think? Is it your time now? Hang in there with us even if you're still smoking.
Oh Beckers.....come out, come out wherever you are. Seriously, hope everything is OK w/you & yours.
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I appreciate all of your support. I lasted 2 days and bought a pack. :-(
But, have now tried again. Things that I found have been working: drinking tea instead of coffee, sitting in a different chair, making my hubby get gas in my car (so I don't go inside and buy a pack), nicotine gum, repeating the mantra "just for today," and when the urge has me feeling "crazy," take a shower and brush my teeth.
Still SUPER hard, but so far so good.
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