Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Judi - one positive note - there will always be people who are trying to quit smoking. We may get a new group of people, but the thread will be here!!
I'm just worried about Lisa with all the things she had on her plate.
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Hi MinusTwo, I hear you about people quitting - always another one in the throes. It's sad but it's the truth. I am with you about LisaMarie, she sure had a lot on her plate. Unfortunately, we both live so far from her that we can't check on her. She seemed very troubled with BF, her life with BF and work. Hope it all works out for her. Maybe something comes with age and we aren't so worried about all of it. However, with age comes grey hair .... I'm trying to grow it out but not succeeding. Want to dye it so bad ... it's like wanting a smoking! LOL, no smoke but probably a dye job!
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My hair is coming in black. I've never been anything but a dirty blond or light brown - usually sun streaked. The black really shows the grey. I see dye in my future too.
Since this is a smoking thread... If anybody needs more incentive to quit - here's my latest story.
I requested the new recommended low dose Spiral CT before I started rads since I wanted a base line so I could track possible radiation damage to my lungs. They sent me to have a PFT test too - where you sit in a closed booth with a mask & get instructions to breathe in & out & blow & hold & etc. I went to a pulmonologist today to hear the results. Interesting that the PCP I used to see told me in 2009 and again in 2011 that my lungs looked like I'd never smoked. Obviously that was crap. 40 years of smoking and my lungs are in fact mildly damaged. I liked her explanation - some what like a rubber band getting looser and not being able retract enough to expel all the carbon monoxide. I was also surprised that she said my lung capacity was good "considering my medical history". Apparently both BMX and reconstruction change the ability of the lungs to function like they used to (another new normal gals) & to hold a larger capacity of air. I'm not having any problems as of yet - and thank heavens no nodules - which might indicate either lung cancer or BC mets to the lungs. But she did indicate there is no way to reverse the damage. And she also reminded me that aging adds to the problem but she didn't have an Rx for the Fountain of Youth. Rare sense of humor. I liked the doc.
So obviously the sooner you quit, the less damage you'll have. Now that would have had me turning away in disgust from anyone who advocated quitting when I was still smoking. I'd be happy to support anyone who's interested, but surely won't be the person to tell you to quit.
And for those of you who haven't heard me say this before - I am a smoker. I will always be a smoker. I'm just not smoking. I have not smoked since 7/11/07 and I KNOW that I can't ever take even one puff again. So, just for today - I will not smoke.
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Hi MinusTwo .... interesting facts you presented. So, us 40+ smokers will be in the same boat as you ... we probably heard this info before but didn't let it registered .... I know I didn't .... when you are young you think you have the world by the tail. I know I can't jog/run as I get short winded and as I age who knows what will happen. I'm like you .... always a smoker but not smoking. It's facts like this that keeps us from every taking up the dirty habit again. Listen up to anyone who is trying to quit ... this should help you!
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Amen Minus2 and Judi...
When I had a scare recently (last June) after starting Aromasin, I went to the ER due to shortness of breath. They did a CT scan and the doc told me all was well except there was the beginning of "emphesemic lung" on the lower left lobe (also where rads knicked my lung but whatever) so that made me absolutely resolute not to ever smoke again (had been smoke free about two months at the time)
I too am a smoker who is not smoking. I smoked over 40 years of my life. I miss it. But, I will not smoke today.
Lisamarie, COME OUT of HIDING! xoxoxo
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Evening April, MinusTwo and all the other ladies. I sure wish they put a "like" button on your posts as I like them all.
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Just sent another PM to LisaMarie. I suspect she is just overwhelmed w/everything going on in her life - but we do miss her.
Hey Red - are you lurking?
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Good morning ladies! I received a series of posts on FB and I wanted to share them. I think they are so appropriate. Love them!
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Hi ladies .... these were my posts .... I've just learned how to post. I think this is so appropriate as we have all come across people like this. MinusTwo, maybe someone we know will be lurking and see these. Hope you all have a good day!
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Yes, Minus Two, I am lurking. How did you know? I'm not there yet, but I read the posts so that I can see what is happening with you ladies as you continue your non-smoking journey. It just seems so darned hard. I keep saying I'll set a date, or I'll make the house smoke free, but I don't follow through. Like you, I am a 40+ years smoker. I want to be a non-smoker, but my will doesn't seem to be in line with my mind. Sigh. Hugs.
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Oh well Red - you'll make the plans when your heart & mind & body are ready at the time. Maybe it will help that the weather is getting warmer - an incentive to fumigate the house & start smoking outside only? Boy that was a hard one for me. The first time I quit in 1978, Iasted 2 years and for months after I started again I pulled the long kitchen phone cord out into the garage so I could talk & smoke. No cell phones then!! Glad you're lurking and we're always here if you need a boost.
Judi - I like your "signs".
Sure hope LisaMarie is at least reading our thoughts. Lisa - we miss you.
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FIVE YEARS TODAY!!! Done, finished and over it!!! YAAY!!!!
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Judi, LOVE them all...and they are oh so true!
Lisamarie, we miss your voice! Hope to "see" you soon chica xoxo
She, congratulations on your FIVE YEAR anniversary. Four years from now, I will hopefully be posting the same thing here! YAY YOU!
Red, it really is just as simple as one day you make the decision that you are truly done. Then the work begins. Until then, do what you can whenever you can. For every single one you don't light up, you add to your resolve to eventually kick them to the curb. One day...no ONE MINUTE at a time if you must.
MinusTwo, great advice! Oh and by the way, it just occurred to me WHY you call yourself MinusTwo! GREAT screen name! Never thought of it before but now I get it. I am a bit slow on the uptake these days. Lots of personal problems, not the least of which is my brain on Aromasin. HA! (always blame the cancer drugs...it is the "in" thing to do and it is usually the truth!)
Hugs to all of you.
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April - I agree - blame it all on the cancer drugs. I decided I probably had chemo brain for 20 years (which is 19 years before I actually had chemo)
She - fantastic. congratulations. You should rightfully be VERY proud. I guess I'm sort of an older statesman now - coming up on 7 years in July. So glad to see some of the other long time success stories chime in.
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Ladies, you are all so funny! She, I am sooooo jealous but not far behind you - February 8, 2016 is my D day. I keep thinking it is closer then what it is but when I started in 2011, 2016 seem sooooo far away. But I'm so happy for you ... celebration galore for you, I say! Red, listen to these ladies who have all successfully quit. You remind me so much of me .... always wanting to quit but just couldn't do it. Once you get your mind set, and let it all come together, you will do it. No more lurking .... we are here for you. MinusTwo, yes maybe LisaMarie is lurking but I somehow suspect that she got pissed off and decided it wasn't worth it. Maybe this will get her back!
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Thank you so much for your support. I heard today that if you exercise for 5 mins every time you have a craving it works to stop the craving, so I'm going to try it. I'll be skinny before you know it. Lol. One day at a time. (((hugs)))
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Good evening ladies,
Last time I posted I was supposed to be headed to surgery. Two days before my surgery, I cancelled - I just couldn't go through with it - I was emotionally, physically and mentally not ready. I don't think my PS was too thrilled! Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well. Red, do you have any stop smoking support groups in your area? Joining a support group really helped me to quit - I'm at the 7 month point exactly today - I quit last September 29th. When you are ready to quit you'll know it and remember we're her to support you - you can do this! As a side note, I'm going for a CT scan on Friday as I have 4 nodules on my right lung. My doctor is monitoring them and so far there has been no change - kind of anxious nonetheless. Lisamarie, if you are reading, I hope you are doing well - we miss you!
Take care everyone,
Carmen
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Red - I took off on a walk around the block several times whenever I wanted to smoke. It worked for me.
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Red, good for you. I never thought of exercising to try and quit but if it works, great! Imagine, we probably all could of been a Victoria Secret model ..... hmmmmm!
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Carmen, hope all goes well.
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Red, I think that is a great idea with great side benefits!
Judi, you will be there soon enough! I joined a support group through Yale where I had my treatment and met with a smoking cessation counselor for a couple of months. It really helped me a lot. The most helpful for me was the carbon monoxide thing that I blew in. When I was still smoking, I was at 27ppm (normal is 0-3ppm) and when I cut back, I went to 16ppm. Then when I quit, I registered 1ppm! I was so psyched by that! Carbon monoxide robs your red blood cells of oxygen which causes brain fog and fatigue etc. Then I started aromasin which put me back at square one on the fatigue and brain fog...sigh!
Carmen, we are in your pocket for a clean scan. Often with lungs, there is scar tissue from past bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia etc that mean nothing but it is good that your doc is scanning them. Hugs and know we are there for you!
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April, sorry if my post read like I was trying to quit. I have been a nonsmoker since December 2011. Coming up a full 3 years soon for me. I just thought by reading Red's post that if I exercised, I would be skinny .... like a Victoria Secret model. Trust me, I'm glad I quit but sometimes think about having one .... I forget that I have quit!
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Judi - of course you're a non-smoking smoker!!! I think April was talking about the exercising.
I was cleared this week to do water aerobics this summer - even w/my port in place & Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks. Also working on getting my LA Fitness membership back to active status. Frankly I don't want to do any of it, but I need to build up some stamina.
Been cleaning closets. I had forgotten that T-shirts multiply in the drawers overnight just like coffee cups multiply in the cupboards. Ergh!! I'm almost through with the first pass on clothes - then I'll start over again. WAY too much stuff. Doing clothes seems to be easier for me than doing books. Obviously I didn't have the patience when I quit smoking - so at that time I washed every piece or paid for them to be dry cleaned. Dumb!!! Stuff is going to the battered women's home - much of it with cleaner's tags.
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Hey Judi, I know you are not smoking and haven't been for a long time. I meant you will be at the 5 year quit mark before you know it!! Tee hee...silly girl, I know you done quit a loooong time ago! xo
Ahhh, the "E" word MinusTwo....arghhhh, I have let myself go so much since my diagnosis! I can't believe how fat I am and how out of condition. I vowed to get back to the treadmill and my stationary bike and weights this month....we will see if I stick with it! I did about 2 miles on the tread yesterday and had to stop! I used to do that with my eyes closed. Ugh!
Ok, back to work! xoxo
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April - yeah - I'm going to start exercising again in April. Oops - yesterday was May Day so I'll need to set yet another goal. But I'm going to play dominoes (Chickenfoot) instead this afternoon & partake of the desserts that everyone brings. Double whammy - no exercise & lots of desserts.
Does anybody remember when "everyone" smoked as a matter of course as we played 3 tables of bridge? I have the most gorgeous Wedgwood & Limoges "personal" ashtrays that each player used. I haven't thrown them out, but haven't been able to find another use for them either so they're packed in a bottom cupboard out of sight.
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Hi April and MinusTwo .... ooops, I thought you were talking about my smoking and not when I finish the meds. It seems like so far away but April you are right, it will be here sooner then I may like. Because that means, I'm another year older - 61. Started this journey was I was 55 and started my meds when I was 56. God, it seems like yesterday but I'm glad I'm at the back end then at the front end. Sometimes the meds make me lose my sense of humour so I apologize for my ignorance, April. On that note, I just started up the exercising again .... gained 10 lbs in one year. Since I started the meds it's been 30 lbs in 3 years .... ugggghhhh. You ladies, want to start the "e" with me?
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OK fine, I'm in. This week I went from 20 to 16 to 12 and today I'm holding at 8. I think it's almost time to call my non-smoking counselor an set a date. What do you ladies think of just before I go to Italy? Or would that be too Ummm, stressful a time? Opinions pls.
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Red - I would have had a terrible time quitting while I was planning a major vacation. On the other hand, you won't be able to smoke on the flights or most US airports so maybe it's an opportunity.
Yeah Judi - I sure need something to push me forward into exercising. Just found out I'm STILL anemic & it's way too far after chemo for that to be the cause. No wonder I'm lacking energy. I'm thinking of starting with "chair yoga".
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I find that if you set that "quit" date that you have a goal to shoot for. I shot for the day before I began my rads and lo and behold, that was when I spent my first day as a non-smoker. Stress is my middle name and I seem to thrive on it in terms of the way I do things. Soooooo, if you want to join me in doing it my way, quit before Italy. Otherwise, set your date for a few days after you come back.
We are here for you either way! xo0
