Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Red, both MinusTwo and April have a point. You are the only one who can gauge wether you can do it or not. As MinusTwo said, you can't smoke in the airport/on the plane. God, when I was going to Texas, I asked where the nonsmoking area was and I was way, way in the parking lot. Then I had to go through Customs again. Sure wasn't worth it! But as April says, it is doable!
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I'm kind of thinking that I have all that time, about 12 hours that I'm not allowed to smoke, so thats one step. Then in Italy I have all this new distracting stuff to do, and I can't smoke on the tour bus between locations soooo...that's step two. Idk. I hope it works.
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Sounds good Red. Now give us some details. Where are you going in Italy & what do you plan to see? I'm jealous.
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Arrive in Rome for 3 nights, then off to Venice for 2 nights, Florence for 2 nights (Tuscany, yay) Assisi for 1 night then back to Rome for 1 night. Then, sadly, home again.
We will, however, celebrate our anniversary in a gondola in Venice. Omg!!!!!!!
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FYI--I copied this from wikipedia, so not sure if it is correct--
Italy[edit]
Main article: Smoking in Italy
Italy was the fourth country in the world to enact a nationwide smoke-free law. Since 10 January 2005 it is forbidden to smoke in all public indoor spaces, including bars, cafés, restaurants and discos. However, special smoking rooms are allowed. In such areas food can be served, but they are subjected to strict conditions: they need to be separately ventilated, with high air replacement rates; their air pressure must constantly be lower than the pressure in the surrounding rooms; they must be equipped with automatic sliding doors to prevent smoke from spreading to tobacco-free areas; they may occupy at most 50% of the establishment. Only 1% of all public establishments have opted for setting up a smoking room. Smoking is also forbidden in all enclosed workplaces – this includes also trains and underground stations. It is, indeed, permitted to smoke outdoors, which means that since Italy has sunny weather more than half of the year, people can still smoke at restaurants and bars as long as they sit on the outside tables and people still smoke there.
My advice would to quit before hand, otherwise, it is no fun to be on vacation always trying to find the time and a place to smoke. Give yourself some time to get over those constant cravings or decide to use nicotine replacement products long enough to get you through the trip. Have a wonderful time!
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LisaMarie - hope you're checking in off & on. We're thinking about you & hope all is well.
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VJ, good advice. I remember the days when the Municipality of Peel had indoor smoking areas. I was a smoker as well, and it took a lot to go into them to smoke. You choked to death .... as a smoker, I didn't visit them often. Then they forbade the designated smoking rooms .... poor establishments spent all that money!
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Bumping. In case everyone decided "en mass" to start smoking again we'll need an intervention.
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Hi MinusTwo, I'm still here. Hugs.
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April, that is great! I wasn't sure I could do it, but today is 6 months smoke free and haven't had any setbacks or urges. Not sure why. All the other times I tried to quit, my urges crushed my will. I just have a feeling that this is it, never to smoke again.
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Jajjaaj, congrats on your six month's anniversary .... glad ur not having the feeling to smoke. I'm 3 yrs/5 months out and I'm feeling the urge. The other day, caught myself looking into my purse for my smokes. Just said to my neighbour, if I have one now, that's it, I'm back to smoking. God grant me the serenity to not do it!
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Just saw the movie "The Other Woman". What a hoot. One of the trailers showed a kid putting a cigarette in his mouth. His explanation was - he never lights up so he's 'showing them who's boss'. No way could I do that.
Judi, judi, judi - sending hugs. I dreamed about smoking one night last week. A lovely fantasy but like you, I can't ever have even one puff.
jajjaaj - Congrats indeed. Six months is over the hump. Way to go.
Red - glad you're still lurking.
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By the way - LISA MARIE - we haven't stopped thinking about you and hope you are OK. Check in when you can.
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Happy Mother's Day ladies! Not my favorite holiday since my Mom passed in Feb of 2012 and my MIL this past December. But, my daughter is taking me to lunch so that is a good thing. She is really proud that I quit smoking and mentions it every time we get together and said she is so amazed that I finally did it.
LisaMarie, hope you have a great Mother's Day chica...xoxo
Jaja, GO YOU!
Red, you hang out with us long enough and maybe it will click for you too...xo
MinusTwo, I hear ya on the cig in my mouth..could NEVER do that!
Judi, I had a dream I was smoking about three weeks ago. Woke up scared that I had one! HA!
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Good Evening Ladies,I am wondering if anyone used Chantix to help quit? If so, what were your experiences.
Thanks = )
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Hi Amy, I think Lisamarie used it and maybe one or two others. I know a friend of mine had good luck with it. Can't hurt to try, right? Best to you and welcome!
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Thanks April, I just need to quit. I am not getting younger and this summer I will be having latissimus dorsi procedure and I want everything to go smoothly.
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@ was put to bed!
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Myers - I did use Chantix. Stopped smoking in my house first. Two weeks later stopped smoking in my car. Two weeks later i started the Chantix. I didn't double down & felt good enough about the process to finish only the first Rx without renewing. I've always been an "I can do anything" girl, but I couldn't have quit w/o Chantix. ]
I'm one of the "old timers". I smoked more than a pack a day for 40 years and will be celebrating my 7th year w/o cigarettes in July. There are folks here who have used every available assist & different things worked for each. We'll glad to stand by you while you're just contemplating quitting or once you've started on the path. Even down the road when you feel weak - as we all do sometimes. I'll always be a smoker who is just not smoking.
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Hi Meyers421 and welcome. You've come to the right place. I tried everything that was out there to quit (40+ years a smoker). I finally got into an 8 week stop smoking program (wonderful support group) and my oncologist gave me a prescription for CHAMPEX (in Canada). I had the prescription renewed a couple of times but I am now 8 months smoke free. My CT scan showed that my nodules on my lungs were stable and seemed to be benign. I have another follow up CT scan in a year. The emphysema that showed up on my first and second scans is now gone. What a great feeling. No more coughing and no more trying to catch my breath. Having said that, I still get the craving to smoke at times. I don't think that will ever go away. You have nothing to lose by trying Chantix. The best of luck to you and I'm sure that you can do it.Carmen
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Oh my goodness - has it really been 6 days w/no posts? We're going to have to start bumping like they do on the Chemo/List thread.
Encouragement and claps for those of you sticking to your quitting schedules. To those of you just contemplating quitting or just getting started - you can do it. If I could quit something I really loved after 40 years of more than one pack a day, so can you.
I'm still busy cleaning closets. After I took my first big round to the battered women's shelter, Salvation Army picked up another big batch today. Funny - I had everything cleaned after I quit smoking - clothes, furniture, carpets, etc. Some of the clothes are still in the cleaner's bags from that time & never worn again. Working on purses & coats now. This is the kind of job that goes on forever. And it also would be nice to stop for a smoke break now & then...but oh well!!! I'm an addict so I can't even have one puff or I'll be lost again.
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Ahhhh, a smoke break! A truly magical time in the days of yore...LOL
Ok, back to reality. It is a filthy, expensive habit that can kill us! (Is that better?) Waxing poetic about that smoke break should not be a thing I do here, eh?
Hugs to all....we got this!
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April - of course you're right. Sigh!!
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OMG I have tears in my eyes as I have been reading all the posts. so many are going through so much , I cannot even remember what everyone is going through at the moment . I am so sorry for leaving here . I just cant help but beat myself up as you know . I cannot understand the whole thing . I have been to way to many funerals in this past year . just lost another good friend to drinking .. 38 years young ..me at thee point that I am going to crack .. or may have done so already . I am always feeling like a looser when I come here and complain hence the reason I go away. Yes I have been on a smoking binge .. OMG not happy but cannot get why I cant stay quit .. Doc wont give me chantix again and that is the only way that I know that helps me in anyway ... I have been depressed and drinking often as well as smoking .. feeling a overwhelming failure within myself. There is so much Love and support here, yet I abandon it .. job searching and interviews have taken its toll. MY BF has been a saint to say the least . I was gonna move to Vegas with my mom and suddenly he became a loving and supportive man .. Guess he really did not want to loose me . I have surgery tomorrow as the PS will fix my capsular contractures with alloderm and give me nipples . but I am totally freaked out ... I have this weird feeling I am not going to wake up from this surgery ... DR has me on ativan for anxiety and my life seems upside down .. If I only could be strong , If I only knew how .. If I only could stop beating myself up.. anyway . I am so happy to know I am cared about here .. I am so sorry ladies as I keep on letting you down...
P.S. My DD just told me I am going to be a grandma again in November ... I am so scared I wont be here .... why ....
Lisa Marie
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((((Lisamarie)))) Sometimes life hands us a whole bushel of lemons at once...you just got hit with a couple of big bushels. PLEASE do not beat yourself up for not always being super strong.
Life is freeking HARD much of the time. Never enough money. Never good enough. Never strong enough. Never thin enough. Never pretty enough. Never smart enough. Life can be a big pain in the ass...but, it is WORTH every single hardship we face. Our connection to one another and our loved ones is the MOST important thing we have as human beings. All the rest pales in comparison.
Your surgery will go fine young lady. You are a beautiful person and you are stronger than you think. You will tackle the smoking issue again when you are ready. Hell, it took me 9,444,777,000 tries before it stuck for me!
xoxoxo....NEVER give up on yourself. You are worth the effort.
Edit: Oh and congrats Grandma! I am having my FIRST grandbaby in October! Am so happy! When life sucks, I believe we get handed gifts and that is sure a great gift! Also, very sorry about your friend's passing. My prayers are with you and the family.
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April, Thanks .. congrats on your 1st grandchild , they are indeed much happiness.. This is going to be my 3rd one .. It makes me feel old at the ripe old age of 45... but hey .. My DD has given me a beautiful Granddaughter and my son also gave me a beautiful Granddaughter .. I am hoping for a grandson.. but as long as the baby is healthy ... I guess I am freaked about going under knowing I am smoking .... I knew at least when it came to surgery I could stop .. this time not so much ... thanks april for you and your support ..xoxoxox
Lisa Marie
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LisaMarie: As I said in my PM, you have all our support and should never feel like a failure. Your time will come. As for the surgery - we're all sending hugs & prayers. Keep the news of that new grandbaby to come in the front of your mind and it will help with positive feelings. Please check in after surgery when you can.
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I am home from surgery feeling aweful. the pain is bad. I stayed overnight in hospital. I guess it was about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I was scheduled at 11 am and did not go in until or so got out around 7 to recovery and up to my room at around 9... I hate pain medicine as it makes me sick. today I am alloud to shower so hoping that feels better. thanks god for my best friend as she is coming to help me and change my dressings at 11am. I am tired of the recliner but its all I can handle now to sleep in. Hope everyone is okay. I am having my first cup of coffee in days . Hoping to keep it down.
Lisa Marie
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LisaMarie - hugs & prayers. Sounds like you're definitely not having "the fun time" yet. Anesthesia makes me sick, as do most pain pills. So glad you have a girlfriend who can come & help. Sleep as much as you can.
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LisaMarie .... welcome back! Good to know that you can still come here for the support you need. Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend .... life sucks sometimes! I think you are in the phase that sometimes the juice just ain't worth the squeeze but it will all come together for you .... sometimes it takes longer for some. Congrats on the new grandchild!
MinusTwo .... I'm doing the same as you .... cleaning up all the shit I've gather for years. All going to a garage sale I'm having with two friends .... all money going towards my trip to New York in August .... I'm so excited as I've never been so really looking forward to it. But I with you and April ... smoke break would be nice but just not in the cards.
Ladies, have a great weekend .... tomorrow supposed to be really warm ... can't wait - gardening to be done!
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