Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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LisaMarie, I echo MinusTwo's comments. Is there an agency that can help you? Not being a U.S. citizen, I don't know the ins and outs of your community agencies but really, there must be help out there for you. Sometimes, you can fix everything and people have to take responsibility for themselves .... it is only then when they realize that they can do it.
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LisaMarie - thinking of you today. Let us know about your Mother when you get a chance.
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BosumBlues I can relate completely. I could not quit during my chemo after diagnosis even though I kept trying. I got a surgery date and I was able to quit for those 3 weeks and made it almost 4 weeks after and smoked at a party at the beach. That is all it took to start again. Smoked for the next 2 months through radiation and then like you I wanted reconstruction and wanted to be smoke free for at least 8 weeks. I talked to my PS and told him I needed a date it seemed to help me stay focused and smoke free so he set a date 3 and a half months out. He asked me to please let him know if I smoked so the date could be released for someone else. I so didn't want to lose my date. I made the date and put the cigs down and to this day I have not had another cigarette, it is now 7 months. I did not think I would ever do it but my PS had faith in me (he was a smoker at one time). The first thing he always asks is cigarette? When I say no I get a high five. It is easier with a supportive doctor instead of one who always just tells you why you shouldn't smoke.
I hope you can get to where I am. Try and keep trying but maybe you need to have a specific date to reach and celebrate then set a new date and keep pushing forward.
Many hugs to you.
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Many smokers think that once the nicotine is out of your body that the physical addiction is over----but that is when it is stronger. Nicotine leaves the body within 3 to 5 days-- but the receptors in the brain have been conditioned to always have some nicotine in them --which is why the average smoker will smoke 20 a day--a little over 1 an hour--to keep the level of nicotine in the brain constant. But the brain has a memory and when there is no more nicotine in the brain--it starts to crave a cigarette--to replenish the nicotine. So it would make sense that at 5 days, your body no longer has any nicotine in it and your brain (actually it is the survival instinct part of your brain) will crave nicotine.
In heavily addicted individuals, withdrawals can last up to 6 months. It's not like that for everyone, for most there seems to be a real breaking point at about 3 to 4 weeks.
I have an e-book, "How to Win at Quitting Smoking" that I offer for free for anyone on this list, just send me a PM with your email address.
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Welcome to Bosum & jbDayton. You're welcome to rant & whine & bitch anytime. And if you slip & start again & slip & start again - we've all been there and understand w/o judging.
Do go back & read some or our previous discussions. I used Chantix and swear by it. But I never did "ramp up" to the double doses. I also ate tons of sunflower seeds - hand to mouth, then hand to mouth again to take out shell. Every time I got the craving I jumped up & headed out of the house & walked around the block. By the time I got back it was gone (for awhile). Others will chime in with their favorite methods. But YES - we do understand. I've never done heroin, but I truly believe quitting smoking can't be any easier. I KNOW that I can never have even one puff or I'm sucked right back in (pun intended).
We used to have a saying that we haven't posted in awhile: Just for today I will not smoke. That's the only way to it done.
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Bosum and jbDayton, welcome to the support that you will love. As MinusTwo said, you are never judged here. In fact, I just read VJ's post and I think "really". Because her points are so valid. I sometimes wonder about myself and think "did I really want to smoke"? I think I was just plain scared to let go because it was all I knew. Trust us, we all loved smoking and have been through most of it. I have to admit, that I read some pretty amazing posts and think "hmmmm" but in all honesty, we are all the same. Never look at yourself as a failure. In fact, I was a 40+ year smoker, and today a younger guy said to me that I didn't even look my age. Gotta love it! So ladies, you will do it but on your time, not anyone else's.
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I very seldom even think about it anymore. None of my family smokes anymore. I am smelling how disgusting it smells and I see how much time people waste having to go out for a smoke. I have been hanging out here for almost a year now. Thanks for keeping this thread going again.
Good luck Bosum.
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Judi - glad you're still hanging in there w/me. And VJ !! And all the rest of you who check in from time to time. I really do feel this is one way I can give back something for all the great people I've met & things I've learned on BCO.
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Hi everyone .. Hope you are all having a good day , and thank you VJ for the book . I am still struggling along one day at a time ... xoxoxo
Lisa Marie
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LisaMarie - glad you checked in. Is your Mom doing better?
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MinusTwo ... yes, we are all in this together whether it is a daily post or a periodic post. However, I must confess .... I told others that if I'm alive at 80, I'm having a smoke. Seems fitting!
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ALL RIGHT Judi. I told everyone when I quit that I would start again if i was ever diagnosed with a terminal disease. Several people have wondered why I didn't start again when i had BC recurrence. Actually it never occurred to me at the time. Maybe 80 is a better goal. Oh we're bad!!!!!
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Hi MinusTwo .... good to be bad at 80, I'd say .... still alive and kicking .... we will have beat all the odds!
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Judi - sounds like 'born to be wild'. I thought I'd left those days behind. That was until I spent some of yesterday evening in a great hotel bar with some new acquaintances - a 50 yr old, 70 yr old, 77 yr old & 84 yr old. We were drinking dirty martinis until late and solving all the problems of the world. Interesting that "late" was 11pm.
Bosum - how are you doing?
Red - how was your trip? Or maybe you're in Tuscany now.
LisaMarie - thinking of you.
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MinusTwo, I have a huge smile on my face thinking of all of you drinking dirty martinis until the wee hour of 11! Bwahahahahah! LOVE it...and so true. 11 is even later than I can hang these days. Thanks for the smiles.
Hi Judi and LisaMarie...nice to "see" you.
Ok, just got done doing front desk duty for the receptionist and she left her pack of cigs on the desk when she was on break outside having one (which is why I took the desk for a few minutes) and I have to admit, I was soooooooooooooooooo tempted to filch one for later and just smoke a couple of hits off of that baby to see what it is like...but then I came to my senses! I actually had it in my hand (she even smokes Marlboro Light 100's like I used to!) and put it back. I did sniff it a little though...LOL
Ok, gotta run! xoxoxo
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Hi everyone , I am doing ok .. My mom is okay right now, just waiting on further test to see if her cancer came back and what is next.
Funny Judi and Minus .. when I was quit .. with cigs and drinking my best friend and I made a pac.. we would smoke cigarettes and drink wine when we were 80 ,, so funny , I wonder if that is the magic number ..
anyway I have a lead on a job .. taking care of a 65 year old man with ALS.. I hope I get it .. xoxoxo
Hugs :
Lisamarie
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Good luck with getting the job.
Such a brave thing to do. I had 2 brothers who both passed from ALS. My older brother was only 21 yrs old and then 9 years later my little brother died at 26 yrs old. It is hard to watch because the mind stays sharp but the muscles go. I will definitely pray for your strength if you get the position.
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Thanks evryone , I interview on saturday.
Lisa
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Another tool to help with quitting smoking (you can do it) is a healing technique called Reiki. I offer Reiki distance healing and if you are interested feel free to email me healing_energy23@yahoo.com or check out my site: www.free-psychic-insight.org
sending you peace and blessings,
Lisa
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MinusTwo, April, and LisaMarie .... loving it all. Thanks for the laughs .... wish I had been there for the "dirty martini's and the "smoke sneak/smell". By jove when I'm 80, I'm doing it all. You girls all make me laugh. Jbdayton, hard to lose family members at such a young age and from a horrible disease .... sometimes you wonder what we did to God to tick him off. I mean, really, who peed in his cornflakes?????
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Hey Bosum Blue, at least you are back. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get the test drive going but don't worry, we are here for you. At least you recognized your downfall .... but I sure do hope you enjoyed the downfall .... when you have quit for good you will remember what and where about that downfall. You are o.k.
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Bosum - hope this was a good day for you.
LisaMarie - I was thinking about those gorgeous pictures from your photo shoot!!.
My son has been here the last 3 days to help me get quotes for a new roof & gutters. Ugh. I'm so thankful he's willing to help since I won't climb on the roof anymore. But he's also a whirlwind of energy and I'm exhausted - not to mention getting up before 5am this morning to take him to the airport. Wish I could sleep for a week. Instead I'll go to water aerobics tomorrow morning.
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MinusTwo .... I can't believe you climbed on roofs .... you never cease to amaze me. Glad you enjoyed your time with your son even though he has a lot of energy .... I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
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Judi - I actually totally put on two roofs - except for carrying the shingles up the ladders. That was of course when I was younger and had to prove I could do anything. All anyone had to do was say 'oh you can't do that' and I was ready to go. So I learned to change my own car oil, refinish furniture, install a toilet, lay a tile floor, scuba dive, fly a small plane, etc. Now I'm pleased to let others do the work but it's hard to let go of the control. Especially if you know the "right" way to do it and see problems.
So... Just for today I will not smoke. Kudos to those who are still hanging in there. Welcome to those who are just starting the 'quit' journey - or are starting again.
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Hi Ladies , I hope everyone is having a great weekend .. I worked on the garden today . I am not to happy with it . the leaves are all getting eaten by bugs. I got lots of snap peas so far . the potato plant is doing great . I have lots of strawberries but none are red yet . I am getting bummed because I am doing it all organic.. I went fishing with my son yesterday we caught nothing but it was good . Other than that life is good .. just hot . I should have went to the beach today with my daughter , day was was so hot and boring .. well blah blah .. thinking of everyone ... xoxoxoxoxo
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MinusTwo .... you amaze me. Never in a million years could I do all that or 1/10th of it .... cleaning is my thing. Kudos to you and keep going .... keeps you young. LisaMarie ..... hellooooo! You to never cease to amaze me. You two ladies never fall off that horse for long .... up and atta it. LisaMarie ... maybe take a organic gardening course .... I know when I had leatherjackets in my lawn, I bought nematodes and did help (I have to admit I did have it treated to my a lawn company .... sorry had to do it as they are the most ugly thing I've ever seen). Maybe start a little organic farming company and get into the local farmers market .... who knows where this could lead you. Ladies, I have to admit it is getting a little harder not to "sneak a butt". On my mind but I decided not to clean today and think about smoking ... going golfing with my new clubs! Beautiful day out there so the cleaning/laundry will always be there! Have a good one. April, hi .... hope all is well. To all the other ladies, hi as well and have a great day!
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Hi ladies!
Lisa, I have not done a garden in a few years..used to love my garden! I did grow some cherry tomatoes in a container on my deck last year...they were delish. This year, I did nothing. Ugh!
MinusTwo, I am a lot like you. If someone said I could not do something, I showed them a thing or two. Like when I went back to college at the age of 40. I was working full time and signed up for 4 classes my first semester and people all told me I was nuts and would end up withdrawing from at least two of them. I ended up working full time and school full time the entire 4 years and I graduated 18th in my class of 1244 and magna cum laude (missed summa by point 1!!!...3.89 gpa instead of 3.9..was so pissed) with only two B's the entire 4 years and all A's or A-. I took 4-5 classes every semester and showed it could be done. I had two kids at home, a golden retriever, 3 cats and an ex husband (well, he wasn't an ex at the time) who was a drunk and did not help at all. I paid my kids to help as much as they could (vacuuming etc.) and proved that I could do anything I set my mind to.
There is something to be said for stubbornness! It has helped me with this smoking thing for sure. No one thought a 40+ year smoker would quit but I did!
Bosum, good for you for starting again. It took several attempts but I finally quit and stayed quit now for the last 15 months.
Ok, got a load of laundry to throw in and need to help hubby seal our deck so gonna run. My present husband DOES help me I am happy to say. He is the best...there is life after divorce, even when you do it late in life. I remarried the love of my life at age 52!
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I know we have several members who quit by vaping or using the e-cigs. What do you think of all the new pending legislation?
Judi - no, no, no. I want one too - but we have to wait until 80!!! I don't really spend time w/many people who smoke anymore. One lady I see maybe once a month & she goes outside to smoke - even at her own house. I'm stubborn enough to walk out with her and sometime it really smells good. Another friend I only see every couple of months and we meet somewhere for lunch. That is easier. She was part of a "never quit" smoking "lunch bunch" who worked at the hospital & a good friend to my BFF who died of pancreatic cancer in 2005. And lastly an old 'boyfriend' who still smokes like a chimney. We broke up 10 years before BC & stayed friends, but he acts like cancer is contagious so we don't see each other more than once a year and then only if I call him. Interesting how this disease changes our relationships.
April & LisaMarie - good to hear from you.
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Hi Ladies, I went to an AA meeting today .. saw some old friends .. it's nice to know I am still a part of them. I am going to start the chantix again today. I only have about 2 weeks if that , So I am hoping and praying that I will do well. My son and his wife are coming with my granddaughter Isabella from NC on July4. I am so excited to see them. July 10th I will find out the sex of my next grandbaby. more excitement ..
The garden is doing better. I messed with it this weekend . I got flowers on my cucumber plants now and on my zuchinni. yeah... snap peas are bountiful and sweet.. love them . well I am gonna run .. got dinner to cook and take my cousins son to the doctor then bed early and work in the morning .. at least im still working even if its part time ... I gotta start being grateful for the smallest things...
Trying to have a better outlook ..
lots of love and hugs .. xoxoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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Oh ladies .... I so love reading your posts. I feel so part of your life and can relate on so many levels. April .... big kudos to you as well .... you ladies are so amazing. My claim to fame is going back to school at the age of 29 and becoming a health inspector .... imagine from a typist to a health inspector. Now, I'm ready to retire but ooooops my vehicle is starting to break down. Going in on Wednesday for brakes, stupid gas gauge not working, and now wheel bearing. I knew I shouldn't have kept buying clothes. So, now I will go to my pension estimate to see what I get for working another month. But, at least I'm alive. I was just reading an article about dragon boat racing where the team was made up of a lot of breast cancer survivors .... sadly, it said in one year, 5 team members passed away front his dreaded disease. So ladies, lets count our blessings even if it comes in small doses or big doses. MinusTwo, you are so right .... 80 is not that long for me to wait .... another 21 years ....imagine I will not have smoked for 25 years when I reach that age! Have a good one ladies! BTW, LisaMarie, I'm so proud of you .... no matter what knocks you down, you come right back at it .... good for you!
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