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Stop Smoking Support Thread

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Comments

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    I do accept the apology , I have been busy the past few days . Sorry everything is still good here on my end ... just living .. and a few more days till I get the photos .. in the mean time it is Snowing again today so I made this snowman to brighten my day .. I hope it makes you all smile too ...

    image

  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 570
    edited February 2014

    very cool...I smiled when I saw you posted!


  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    LisaMarie - love the snowman.  Sounds like it will be lasting a good while w/2 or 3 more storms headed your way.  Great that you're still not smoking.

    Who else made it through the weekend?  Or didn't make it and wants get back on the "horse" today?

    I went to start my car yesterday afternoon & had a dead battery.  AAA came this morning & I'm ready to roll again.  Except had to stay in the garage while he worked & I'm FREEZING.  I know - it's only 40 so I'm whining compared to those of you in the east.  But I've back in the house for two hours w/the heat cranked to 75 degrees, long socks, cashmere throw wrapped around my legs, 5 layers on top including Cuddle Duds, sweat shirt & winter coat - and I can't get warm.  Guess i'd better work harder at gaining back some weight since a move to Hawaii or the Caribbean isn't in the budget.

    Just for today.....

  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 276
    edited February 2014

    Thanks Lisamarie, for both the acceptance and for the snowman picture. Smile

    Minus Two - I made it through the weekend and now I get to start counting in "months" since I quit - well only one month so far, but you have to have one before two I guess. I'm familiar with that kind of chill you describe, the only thing that ever worked for me was a very long hot bath. Personally I haven't gone outside in almost two weeks, partly because of the cold & partly because of surgery recovery, the cold really hurts the chest area right now.

    Hope everybody is doing well on the not smoking, and again Lisamarie - thank you for accepting my apology. 

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited February 2014

    Happy I is a happy camper now. Lisamarie, I love love the snowman and it did make me smile! Ok, now as to the cold, this winter is getting on my last nerve for sure! We had 6 inches of snow today, a reprieve tomorrow and then plenty more on Wednesday and again on Friday! Arghhhhhh! NO MORE! I need spring! Happy One Month Ziggypop! Now they will start to roll by and before you know it, you are counting the years!

    Minus Two, I agree with the hot bath theory. It always works for me. Either that or cook for an hour in a hot kitchen with the oven on..LOL

    One more day down ladies! Keep the faith!!

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited February 2014

    Hello everyone ... glad to see everyone is doing well.  MinusTwo .... I laughed at your attempt to warm up .... I lost count with all of the layers ...I'm going to opposite way ..... starting now with hot flashes .... never had that. So LisaMarie, I've thought of a new career for you ... your snowman was so adorable, and I think you you start with Christmas cards ... I'd buy them.  Ziggypop, glad to hear your in countdown mold. I have craved a cigarette for the last two days that I was even justifying to myself why it would be o.k.  I'm 3 years out and it's still hard .... I think one pop and it will be o.k.  And, the smoke smell outside is fantastic!

  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 570
    edited February 2014

    Hello ladies...Congrats on 1 month Ziggy.  Warm showers do it for me to warm up my feet.  It is worse with neuropathy.  I have been craving a cig a lot more since ending chemo.  I think because that was one of the main reasons I quit.  I shut that door so tight but it keeps opening lately which I find strange.  I will not smoke...I cannot smoke! 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    Judi, Judi, Jud - I know you won't give in.  Love  - likewise.  I'm preparing for radiation, and boy is it tempting.  Just - there it is in your face from time to time.  Me too!!!  Maybe it will be better when spring breezes come and the smoke smell doesn't hang around so much.  Ziggy - way to go.  LisaMarie - I'd buy the Christmas cards too.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Hi Ladies , I am glad everyone loved the snowman ... He made my day .. Yes the not smoking is crap ... someday's I struggle so much with the demon .. But I can't have one ,I cannot let the demon in... I pray just for today I will not smoke ... anyway I know the Winter storms are totally driving me crazy .. I have been tanning at the gym .. trying to feel the warmth .. then the bf comes home and says stop that tanning you are starting to look like a racoon ... lol .. anyway another snowy pic for you all .. and what do you mean by making Christmas cards Judi , sorry but my question mark button is broken ... Do you mean my photos ... 

    imageI call this winter Beauty ..Hugs alll xoxoxoxoLisamarie 

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited February 2014

    Lisamarie, you have a good eye for photos so I think that is exactly what Judi meant! Greeting cards with your own photos..your own line of cards! You can start small and sell them to specialty shops and gift shops at hospitals and give a couple of dimes to BC research and then go for the big guns! HALLMARK! LOL...I am an employment specialist and I often help displaced workers find new careers so I am an expert Winking go for it chica! xo

    Everyone else, stay warm and dry. After 6 inches yesterday, we are expecting another 7-11 tonight! then on Sunday, a foot!!!! YIKES

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    April , Thanks so much .. It's nice to hear that I have a bit of a talent . I just adore taking photos. it gives me something to do as well as keep me busy at times.. and I like it a lot . I shall think about it ... Do you have like an assessment test to take to find a good career choice . I feel lost . I am 45 and no clue what I wanna do .. sad but true . I have taken care of people my whole life . I am doing some schooling online at penn foster for my associates in applied science for vet tech , but I am finding that none of the vet offices are willing to train or give you a chance without experience .. jeeze ..lol what's a girl to do . I guess I will really think about the cards .. thanks ladies .. and April I know .. we also got hit again and we are getting hit again tomorrow and again on Sunday and that day I will be traveling to NC to go to see my kids and my other sweet granddaughter Isabella ... Hugs xoxox winter go away ...

    LisaMarie 

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Love this one too , I just took it this afternoon.. the water is starting to freeze , but then as you look out the bay is not frozen .. there is such beauty in nature .. Hugs ...

    image

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    LisaMarie - I hope you're taking a train to see your kids and not driving in the coming storms !!  Great picts.

    So... totally unrelated to smoking ...  I got a star at PT today.  I haven't been doing my "homework" exercises because I'm often dizzy or short of breath or have a racing heart (fun chemo SEs) - but she still said I did great at the balance & strengthening tasks.  Damn neuropathy!!  Tomorrow I start back with the Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year at the chemo center.  And Thursday I meet w/the radiation oncologist to finalize the plan for rads.  I'm looking forward to 2015.

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited February 2014

    April .... I hear you about the flippin snow.  I have had absolutely enough of snow.  I can't even see the cars when I'm coming out of my driveway.  Almost ploughed into one.  MinusTwo ... I had forgot about the smokes today but boy the last few days the cravings came out.  I think because I have been stressed lately and that was a coping mechanism for me.  LisaMarie, April had it right what I said about the cards.  Your photos are stunning  .....  listen to the employment specialist.  Take heed and who knows what the road will lead you to!  Your winter scenes would make beautiful Christmas/winter cards, thank you cards, whatever .... change of seasons you can adapt to whatever.  Think about it!

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited February 2014


    Only have a minute cause I am at work but here is an assessment Lisamarie! http://www.mynextmove.org/

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Thanks April .. xoxox hope everyone is having a good day .. 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    Happy TGIF.  Well I got measured & marked & mapped.  I have red, blue & black ink everywhere - and 9 (yup nine) pinpoint tatoos.  You guessed it - I'm starting radiation next week.  The good news is it's only 5 weeks.  The bad news is it's every day for 5 weeks - but most of you have been there so I know I'll come out the other side.  Further good news is that the dentist worked me in today & I got my teeth cleaned for the first time since chemo started a year ago.  Oh they feel so smooth!!

    My SIL and I are meeting for brunch tomorrow for a mini-celebration so see how my taste buds are recovering.  After another freeze tonight it's actually supposed to be sunny & get up to 60 degrees Saturday.  Not quite warm enough to eat on the patio but heaven.  And we choose a restaurant where almost no one stands around outside & smokes - so no temptation.  But I might have a Bloody Mary.

    Hope everyone's having a successful week in fighting the demon.  Or considering starting again next week.  Just for today I will not smoke.

  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 979
    edited February 2014

    long time no see! Or write rather. Just checking in to see how everyone is holding up. I am still smoke free. I was working a lot, then kept getting sick and now I think I am getting back to normal (whatever that is). 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    Hey Beckers.  Are you going to stay in CA or move back to OK eventually?  Certainly I don't recommend it now - it's too cold.  Glad you're on the mend.

  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited February 2014

    Hi ladies, I'm looking for some help. I have an e-book (which I will still send to anyone on this list for free) called, "Tips to Win at Quitting Smoking, Finding the missing piece in your plan to Stop Smoking and Stay Quit". 

    I'm finally able to get it printed and before I do, I'm asking for your help in ideas for a different title. My little book is more than just "tips". So if you've got a copy, I'm asking for suggestions for a different name. If you haven't read it, what words in a title would entice you to at least thumb through a stop smoking book?

    Thanks so much. and again, if you'd like a free copy, send me a PM with your email address. 

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited February 2014

    VJ .... how about "Finally A Quitter"!  I agree, sometimes a name change is just what you need to spice things up a bit!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    or maybe "Quitters Do Win".  But I think I like Judi's better.  More ideas will surely follow.

  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited February 2014

    Thanks JudiH and MinusTwo for your ideas!

  • jajjaaj
    jajjaaj Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2014

    Just checking in. It has been 13 weeks and 3 days since I quit cold turkey. Haven't missed it. In fact, with my heightened senses between the chemo and the lack of cigarettes, I can smell everything a mile away. And it isn't always a good thing. Walking through a parking lot at the grocery store, I could smell a very strong odor of cigarettes. It was stale and nasty, I had to cover my nose and mouth. I couldn't even figure out where it was it was coming from, but it made me feel nauseous. All I could think of was that there were several people walking into the store and someone had just put one out. This coming from the gal that loved the smell of a lit cigarette. On another note, my constant reminders are that the nicotine creates stress on my heart right along with the Dox and Herceptin. The awful smell is just the icing on the cake and the Herceptin infusions are in my future until Feb 2015. By that time, it will be a year and 3ish months, no point picking up that dirty habit again. I just hope my nose continues to be sensitive and that awful smell stays with me. When all is said and done, I'm thinking that I will be a non-smoker for life will be a given. Crossing my fingers.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    jaj - Congratulations.  That's marvelous.  Oh you lucky girl that the smell is awful.  I wish I still didn't find it pleasant going on 7 years.  The one thing I did notice was how awful my old 'local' (bar/pub) smelled after many, many years of smokers even tho it's illegal now.

    LisaMarie - you doing OK up there in the snow?  How did your visit w/your kiddos go?

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited February 2014

    VJ, how about "Smell better than an ashtray" HA! Just kidding but jajjaa's comments made me think of it! Congrats to ou jajjaa!

    BECKERS!~ OMG, we have been wondering about you! Glad to "see"you and happy to hear you are still of the evil cigs.

    Minustwo, 7 years is awesome! I want to be you when I grow up ThumbsUp

    I am coming up on ten months! Yahoo!! Love being a non-smoker. My clothes smell so nice...like fabric softner and my hair smells like conditioner now. Ahhhh, it's the little things Winking

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited February 2014

    Hello everyone!  Finally back after a few setbacks.  First, my workload has diminished .... my case has been clear and I can see the light again.  Second, my dear father passed away last week .... 91 years old.  He was a WWII vet and the condolences from his regiment were fantastic.  He would have been so proud.  Ladies, we all have had our ups and downs with quitting smoking but one day we all succeed.  My dad was a drinker and he quit drinking after a heart attack.  Mine smoke quit was with cancer.  Sometimes a big scare makes us a winner but we don't have to have this to succeed.  All you need is folks like us to walk beside you, hold your hand, and listen to your voice.  With that being said, hello to Rebecca ... glad your on the road to recovery from work and illness; to Jaj .... congrats on your quit .... you now have gotten to see what other quitters see; to MinusTwo .... seven years and you are one amazing lady; April .... thanks for making me laugh ... humour is what we need; and to those I haven't mentioned .... keep it up.  LisaMarie, MinusTwo is right .... where are you?  Hope all is o.k.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Happy Valentines Day to all my friends .. I am here . I just have not been on the boards . I was in North Carolina and had fun fun fun with the kids .. went shopping for wedding dresses with my daughter and we said Yes to a Dress.. I cried .. my youngest is getting married ... and I had a blast with my granddaughter isabella .. she is 7 months and too fun... Then I am behind in school work so I have been busy playing catch up...as well as job hunting and the darn storms are not helping any ... I am so ready for Snow to be gone and Spring to arrive .. I guess that is asking too much ..then yesterday I started to come down with something .. UGH ...Other than that I am doing okay... Minus two I hope all goes well with the radiaition sending you a big Hug... Beckers wow Hi I am glad you are feeling better .. and nice to see you .. and Judi .. hugs to you as well so sorry for your loss . ok back to my school work Love you all and stay warm and enjoy your valentines day ..xoxooxox

    Hugs 

    Lisa Marie 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    Judi - Sorry to hear about the loss of your your Father.  Sounds like he had a great send off.

    April - so glad you're still "humming" along. 

    LisaMarie - how exciting - a wedding coming up.  I hope she's waiting until the snow melts.

    Stopped at Denny's after my 1st rads yesterday for a Grand Slam.  Things still taste "off".  It's hard to make myself eat. How can it be that cigarette smoke smells good?  Sigh.  Tonight I'm broiling two lobster tails just for me.  Well, they're only 4 oz, previously frozen, and nothing like you get on the east coast, but I'm going to melt lots of butter and pretend for Valentine's Day. 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,357
    edited February 2014

    Bumping for newbies.  Welcome whether you're trying again or not trying right now.

    I guess everyone's busy shoveling snow.  I hope you all have electricity & heat.

    LisaMarie - when will we see more glamor shots? 

    Good going to those of you still slogging along on the hardest job in the world.  When the going get's rough just remember - Just for Today I Will Not Smoke.  And for those of you still considering quitting who have posted off & on, we're still in your corner.  No blame/no shame.  You'll know when the time's right.

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