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Stop Smoking Support Thread

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Comments

  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 570
    edited February 2014

    Hello ladies...I hope everyone is doing well.  I have been back to work a couple of weeks and I am a little over half way thru rads.  Not sure why but I think I am having more cravings for a cigarette.  One minute I think I need to smoke I forgot to have one and then I realize I quit!  I cannot start again...no way.  I know if I do it will be a million times harder to quit again.  Stay strong ladies.  I say now more than ever just for today I will not smoke!

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

    Hi ladies!  Thanks for your sympathies!  No snow here in Ontario but going to be cold tonight .... LisaMarie I with you .... enough of winter.  Spring should come sooner then later.  Lovewins ... you are over the hump of your rads - I don't know how many you have to go through but it will zip through real fast.  Just remember, you will be tired by the end of it .... take time for yourself .... I can't believe you are back at work but remember, you come first.  Now for the smoke craving ..... remember that cravings will come and go.  The best part is you forgot about it,  Look at MinusTwo, 7 years a nonsmoker & the craving is there.  I told me dh today that I was going to have one but then I moved on  tLisaMarie, what an exciting time for you .... wedding, little granddaughter ... wishing you a fast recovery catching up in your schooling.  MinusTwo, good luck on your rads.  How many do you have to endure.  I had 16 rounds - 2 45 second beams.  It was gruelling but well worth it!  

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 1,262
    edited February 2014

    Hi Minus Two and Lovewins. You are the only two I recognize here. Hi to everyone I don't know too. You all seem like a nice group, with supportive stories and encouragement. 

    Sorry, still smoking but have come to the point where I am giving some serious thought... ah, heck, I want to quit but I think I'm kind of scared to. What goes in its place? I've always liked it. I don't get the SE's from it that others do. 

    But getting cancer is the first time in my life that my body has let me down. So it makes me think of chemistry class in high school. We did this experiment where we added one crystal at a time to a flask of liquid. Everything was clear liquid as we counted and added more crystals, until that one crystal that tipped the balance and the entire flask turned into one big crystalline structure. It was called a super- saturated solution.

    So I don't want my lungs to become a super-saturated solution of anything. Anyway, I'm going to try to quit. Talk to you again soon.

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

    RedReading - welcome.  You can drop in & out or follow along.  I didn't read all 327 pages, but surely did read many of them.  It kept me busy at night when I might have wanted to smoke.  We've heard lots of different ways people have succeeded in quitting and everyone's more than willing to share so ask any questions you want.  Take care of yourself first!!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Hi ladies .. The wedding is August 30 , so we will be very hot ... and as for the shoot OMG I hate the rest of the photos ... I will post one more but i really don't care for them .. well it was a fun and exciting day ... I am doing well .. not smoking hanging on .. I went to a vet hospital on Saturday and filled out an application . I need to call them mid week for an interview... it's part time but it will get my foot in the door and I will learn hands on what I am trying to learn online ...so I am praying I get the job. ok ladies one more photo .. and YES it is Snowing again today , I am soo tired of this crazy snow....Sending Hugs and Love to all of you .. and to everyone trying just know that is all you can do is try .. and when you have a mistake get back up and try again.. I tried lots of times ...xoxoxoxo LisaMarie

    image

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

    WOW LisaMarie.  You are so sexy.  What do your kids think?  My son would probably say "who's that?" since I don't normally wear make-up and certainly am more comfortable in levis & sweatshirts than fancy dress.  Glad you had a fun day at the photo shoot. 

  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 570
    edited February 2014

    Hello everyone!  Thank you for your supportive comments Judi.  I have 32 treatments 20 done.  I am pacing myself and going to bed early.  Good for you not smoking!  I have been toying with the idea of using my e-cig but fighting hard,  Really surprised how much more I am craving a cig now as to when I was going thru chemo.  I think your picture is great Lisamarie.  No pressure here Redreading....I find myself enjoying 2nd hand smoke still.  I wonder if that will change.  Good luck on your rads -2....I am just starting to get a rash.  Hugs to everyone!

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

    Hello ladies!  Lovewins .... take care of that rash .... moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  Up here in Ontario, they recommended using Glaxo which is the base for all creams without the fragrance, etc.  I put in on about 3 hours b/f rads and then afterwards, afterwards, afterwards.  Really helped me .... I also used the one with Vitamin E in it.  Don't worry about the craving ... we are all having them.  I think we are dreaming what would it be like but in our heart of hearts, we know what it would be like.  Keep trudging along.  LisaMarie, I don't get it ... you look fabulous .... I think we are our own worst critics ... I wish I had the guts to do what you did and look fabulous doing it.  Glad to hear that you are in the same boat as all of us ... not smoking but craving one and not giving in.  Good going!  I too put in a resume to a pharmacy to work part time .... I don't want to work full-time anymore .... I think the time has come where it is about me.  Good luck on your interview and the foot in the door.  RedReading .... come back because this site does work whether it takes 1 day, one week, one month, one year.  You will have the support you need to succeed!

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

    Lovewins - I know that some people who have quit are really turned off by the smell.  6 years & 7 months later - I still like the smell of second hand smoke.  Sigh.  But the good news...  I have to actually count the months to be sure how long it's been & haven't tried to count days, hours or weeks in several years.  Hang in there!!!  

    Just for today I will not smoke.

    I'm using Miaderm and 100% pure Aloe Vera after rads tx.

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

    Only have a moment cause am at work but holy smokes LisaMarie! You look totally hot girlfriend! High five for doing that photo shoot. It was sure worth it. Your boyfriend must have flipped when he saw these pictures! Wooohoooo girl!

    To all of you, just take it one day at a time. It really does get easier! And lube the boobs to those of you who are in the middle of rads! Emu oil (expensive but worth it) is really soothing.

    xo...stay warm and dry! We have about 35 inches of snow on the ground from the last two weeks. When it melts, we are going to drown! LOL

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Well Hello Ladies .. seems quiet in here ... well I am still not smoking .. going to the gym... and trying to get school work done just not feeling motivated ...other than that all is good .. Hoping spring will arrive soon... I miss everyone and hope all is well .. Big Hugs ... xoxoxo

    LisaMarie 

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

    Hi LisaMarie.  Congrats.  Good for you!!!.  

    I'm in Texas so I have no basis to complain, but I'm still ready for spring.  I can't get motivated to go outside - or do much else.  I know treatment is supposed to go easier if you stay active, but my biggest activity is turning the pages on my book.  Not even getting as much reading done as I'd like since I kept nodding off all weekend.  I'm into the 2nd week of rads.  At this rate I'll be sleeping most of the hours I'm not getting zapped before I'm through.  Thank heavens for my neighborhood buds who pull me out to play dominoes one afternoon a week.

    Hi to everyone else who's quit, thinking about quitting or just struggling along.  Beckers we do think of you.

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

    Hi ladies .... same as you here in Ontario.  I'm just so damm tired that I said to my dh that I'm going back to my favourite spot "the bed".  Plus, I'm looking at retirement more and more each day .... I was hoping to go January 2015 but I don't think I will make it.  MinusTwo, I'm not doing rads but I'm just as tired as you.  Hope you keep going strong .... it will be over before you know it.  Must be the winter blues we are all feeling .... do I hear Las Vegas calling my name?????????

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

    Judi - more like Hawaii !!!  Now I just need to find someone to schlep my bags.

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 1,262
    edited February 2014

    Minus Two, I'm in second week of rads too. Cannot believe how exhausted I am. Went to bed at 7:45 last night. Sleeping 10-12 hours a day, working 7, commuting and rads takes another 2. Not enough hours in the day. Is this tiredness norma?

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

    Red, being tired during rads is very normal. I could barely lift my head off the pillow in the morning if I remember. It does get better eventually and doing it in the winter doesn't help I suspect since without lots of sunshine, I am more tired anyway.

    Lisamarie, hang in there chica...soon we will be hearing chirping birds and seeing lots of sunshine! That is the only thing keeping me going since this winter has been endless!

    Best to all. Have a great day!

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

    Red - I admire your energy to keep working through this.  Sunday I literally did nothing but sleep.  Woke up twice to eat but was back in bed w/in 2 hours.  And still went to sleep by 11pm!!

    Tomorrow ought to be a doozy.  Herceptin infusion at the Medical Center at 7:30am - 40 minutes from home.  Then radiation at an MD Anderson out-lying clinic - another 40 minutes, but not towards home.  Supposed to be violent rain storms with a cold front.  Oh what fun.  I really can't complain since it won't be snow & ice, but our temps are going back down to 37 tomorrow night.  Oh - did I forget to mention it's been 75 & 80 degrees?  Don't shoot me ya'all.

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

    MinusTwo .... hope you are rained on too hard .... my sister is in Brownsville and she told me about the 75 & 80 degrees.  She was so funny when she came here for 2 weeks for dad's passing .... running shoes she was wearing and my brother-in-law's fall coat.  We had that HUGE snowstorm the day she was to arrive but plane was cancelled.  So someone feels your pain about the temperature dip .... but remember, ours will dip too.  Ladies, I wasn't too, too tired during my rads - I only had 2 45 second shots .... are you ladies or did you ladies receive longer radiation doses?  But I hear you about the tiredness, I don't think it every goes away.  But remember, as we age we'll be nodding off anyways, and not apologize for it .... ha, ha!

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 1,262
    edited February 2014

    Judi, I get 4 each time but I'm also on the cdn protocol so they are more intense so we can do all including boosts in 20 times. I just find I am dragging myself everywhere. I got up and just left work twice in the last two days. Just took a drive around the big block with the window open to try to blow away the cobwebs. 

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

    Judi - I get 9 (yup nine) zaps every day.  Since this is for a recurrence in lymph nodes plus chest wall - they want to make sure to beam everything.

    Red - treat yourself gently.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Minus Two and Red. I hope you ladies finish soon .. I am not doing any rads and I am soo sleepy all the time.. I am praying great outcomes for you both .. Big Hugs .. and Minus hopefully the rain was not too much .. It is snowing here again today and we are supposed to get more snow the weekend .. Yuck .. I do hear the birds chirping from time to time .. I am thinking they are confused .. since we had a couple nice days in the 40's .. but now back in the 20's .. Hurry Up Spring ... cannot wait to start my garden .. Today I am home making potato salad and I baked a cake and we are having applewood burgers tonight ..I have been itchy and sleepy myself but that is because I am out of thyroid medication and cant afford the doctor and blood work to get a new RX .. lol life .. anyway on another note still not smoking yeah me ... well Hugs for all you beautiful ladies ..

    xoxoxo

    LisaMarie 

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

    LisaMarie - such a boost to see by your posts that you're still not smoking.  That spectacular!!!

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 1,262
    edited February 2014

    Hi, well I'm still smoking but this week I cut down by 10 per day. I'm proud of myself, I think. I'm not smoking the 2nd one on the way to and from work, and going to bed at the outlandish hour of 7:30 or 8:00 took care of the rest.

    LisaMarie and MinusTwo, thanks for the encouraging words. I'm not sure if I can keep on working thru this tho. I'm only on day 6 and already too exhausted to do rads, work and have a life. I know, buck up buttercup, only 14 more to go. But I hurt all the time. My boob a little but my back is killing me. 40 mins in the rad stirrups today did in my neck too. It was xray day.

    I know I need to keep pushing thru, but I'm getting depressed too. Couldn't think of anything to say on the 100 days of gratitude thread today at all. So I copped out.

    Anyway. Off to beddy bye now.

    Hugs'n'kisses 

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

    Red - you & I are on some rads threads and you know how much I admire you for working through all this.  Thank heaven's I'm between retirement jobs.  Hope as the treatments go on, if the fatigue gets worse you can take some Fridays off work for an extra day to sleep.  I've pretty much told everyone I know that this is my current job, so if nothing else gets done, don't be surprised.  I've had a hard time learning to be selfish and put ME first, but I seem to be succeeding for the most part. 

    You should be proud of the 'cuts'.  Hope you can hold to the reduced schedule, but we all understand the pressures of treatment.  If you have to start again later - no shame, no blame.  We'll still welcome you here anytime.

  • dsgirl
    dsgirl Member Posts: 193
    edited February 2014

    Hi Red Reading

    Re: back pain, have you tried  Chiropractics?

    I read this thread ever so often, because I am a former smoker, 3 + years now, but have not kicked the habit of nicotine lozenges yet, I keep saying I will stop them, but never really do. My bad.

    Anyway, saw your post about back pain, and wanted to let you know what worked for me during my radiation treatments   I do think that part of my back pain was caused by stress, "my really not wanting to do rads" but doc. husband, family, everyone kept after me until I said OK, I will do it. So I was really tense every day, for 33 days both during the 75 mile drive to treatment, during treatment and on the drive home..Half way thru I developed back pain, sciatica pain, etc, and no pain meds could help. Had to stop treatment as I could not lie still on the table. I resumed and finished rads after the chiropractor miraculously removed my pain. 

    It is just too miserable to be in pain 24/7, on top of doing radiation treatments.

    I wish you pain free days ahead, and success as you try to quit the smoking habit.

    dsgirl

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

    Hi Red, reading your post and boy you are a trooper.  I'm a fellow Canadian from Alliston area so I somewhat know our system.  You amaze me.  Our diagnosis is somewhat similar but I only had the minimum treatment - 16 weeks which amounted to every day, except weekends, for 3 weekends plus 1 boost (I think - it was 3 years ago).  Anyways, it is now all about you .... I don't know what you do for a profession but I remember when work tried to get me to go back.  It was our wonderful occupational therapist that said "no, it is all about you .... you need the time to heal both physically and mentally".  Please take this message to heart because you are the most important.  As far as smoking goes, you are on your way and will do it on your own time.  Don't let anyone make you think less of yourself (been there, done it).  Only you will know when you are ready!  I'm shocked about your   40 min in the rad stir-ups ... really?  Where are you doing the rads?

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

    Judi - I'm usually in the 'cradle' for over 20 minutes since I have 9 (nine) zaps every day & there's lots of repositioning for the machine.  Once a week they do X-rays again in addition to treatment and that day I'm there close to 40 minutes.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    I am so sorry for all you ladies going through Rads and feeling like poop... I am sending you all big hugs ... I am stressing today .. I have been crying a lot .. I thought about smoking ... but then I thought it's not going to fix my stress and it will only burden me that much more financially and I am just not going to smoke .. I am Strong .. I am Strong .. I gotta keep telling myself that .. I just need to learn not to let other people rent space in my head and maybe just then I can function ... Love you all 

    xoxo

    LisaMarie

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


    lisamarie, no nasty ciggies! You are right! YOU ARE STRONG beyond measure! Hugs and know I am in your pocket and helping you to stay away from cigs. it is not worth it and you are doing great! Whatever is making you sad will pass...always does! My life is filled with huge stress right now but I know smoking will only make things worse financially and health wise so it is you and me chica! We can do this!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited February 2014

    Thanks April ... I do understand now that by smoking a cigarette it will not make my life easier .. I do know I am saving money and my health .. and let me tell you I am sooo very happy that you are in my pocket today .. the tears keep flowing and I am sooo emotional ... Hugs 

    LisaMarie

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