Stop Smoking Support Thread
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Bosom Blues -- good luck with the therapy. Take it from, one who knows. It really helps. Minus Two thanks for asking and Lisa Marie also. I have cut down a lot but so far not enough. This is a tough one. I did read VJ's book which was great. I think I have decided on no reconstruction on the one side and of course I think to myself that mastectomy alone would require less healing than recon. Other factors come into play also -- no radiation, don't know how I would look after onco plastic, might take a few times back and forth into surgery, all of those factors and more. But right now am staying in the "now" and focusing on the smoking. Wellbrutin has been a week in my body. So far -- nothing. Stay well everyone.
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Sharing -- last night I went into a complete meltdown. I live alone so the screaming and crying was not heard and who cares anyway. The fear got hold of my body. Some of the thoughts which precipitated this were how do I know if this "thing" has taken over my body, everything I love is being taken away from me, my two great loves, my breast, my smoking and goodness knows what else. It was so hard to focus on anything positive, just huge huge fear. Let's face it -- have been smoking for 10 years so who knows what damage it has caused, etc etc. Went to sleep crying but interestingly enough slept great. Wonder if this Wellbrutin is causing any of this. Not to say I didn't have the fear when first dx'd three months ago. Drinking vodka helps, being out with people also but in the pit of the stomach that fear is always there. Wish I could stop thinking about it.
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Lisa Marie -- great news on your part time gig and the tests. Keep going in that direction.
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Bosom, My insurance is done at the end of the month .. Today was a good day for me . and yesterday the temp was 51 .. was so excited . they say maybe 55 tomorrow .. I can see some grass ... excited that this is finally melting ... Cheer up girls ... spring is near and Big Hugs to you both...
Lisamarie
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Bosum - how was the first appointment?
Bridgegal - are things getting any easier?
Thinking of everyone who is considering quitting, is in the middle of trying, has made it a week, or two, or three, is starting over (again), In fact I'm thinking of all of us who dearly love(d) smoking and are moving forward. Just for today, I will not smoke!!! Yes the urge gets faint as time goes on but I still think about having a smoke probably once a month - and for heaven's sake - I will be 8 years out in July. This is not meant to discourage you. It's just a quick thought that a smoke would be nice, but not an urge or a need. Just to let you know we all understand.
Did you all see the news about a homeowner (Wash DC I think) that has been forbidden to smoke in his own house since it's disturbing the next door neighbor? How times change.
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LisaMarie - when do you go back to the gyn? I know you want some kind of answer.
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Minus Two -- thanks for asking re the smoking. The only positive thing is that I am now counting the cigarettes that I smoke. I had to start Aridimex this week which made me very nervous anticipating all kinds of side effects. So far so good on that, except an unsteadiness which I have had before when nervous but more so now. I am taking Aridimex before surgery to see if there's any change before surgery as far as shrinkage. I am multi focal ER/PR positive which bodes well for this med. And to top that I have to decide on mastectomy or lumpectomy when time is near for surgery. My onc did tell me smoking while on Aridimex is not good (which in itself is another problem). Bosum blues -- you are so right about losing our loves. Very tough on top of all of this. Wonder why we smoke??? Combatting the loss of true loves is very high up on the scale.
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Minus the GYN is next Thursday, I know I want to know as well. its crazy . I went back to the gym and did the abdominal work out and it hurt . so maybe I should not have done that . anyway as we all know waiting is the hardest part . and Congrats on upcoming 8 Years .. I was thinking wow next month I will have 6 months ... it went so fast . and I can remember my struggle as clear as the day ... but I still work hard each day and say that today I will not smoke .... xoxoBosom.. I miss you .. hope u are okay .. hugs my friend /
Bridgegal .. thinking of you and remember that everyone quits in their own special way . I think you have done amazing so far and I am glad that you and bosom can really connect on some life issues and maybe helping one another ... xoxo keep up the good work
Xoxoxoxxo
Lisamarie
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Allan Carr wrote the book, "Easy Way to Quit Smoking". It is a great book at explaining how we delude ourselves about "loving" our cigarettes. I highly recommend the book. It will change the way you think about cigarettes. It doesn't give any clues as to how to do it (my book does that), but you will want to quit after reading it.
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I took effexor to help with side effects from arimidex too. It worked great until it didn't and I needed to up the dose plus I lost weight. But the withdrawals were terrible. I was on the lowest dose and it still took me about 4 or 5 months to wean off of it. Finally I went cold-turkey when I knew I wouldn't be driving for a week. I had brain buzzes for over a month. It was like a bee was buzzing around in my brain. You might be better off without it.
FYI- I'm leaving on vacation on Tuesday, so if anyone else would like a copy of my book before I leave let me know soon. My boyfriend is taking me on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas for my 60th birthday. He is a keeper!
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Good afternoon ladies. Back from a fantastic trip but contracted the flu while in B.C. So trying to lay low. I haven't read the posts but will do so when I'm up and around. To the newcomers, you will find all the support you need here to help you with your journey. To the rest of the gang, hope all is well. Retirement is grand - wondering where the next trip will be. I was supposed to go to Boston for a playground build but that was cancelled due to the organizer having a severe heart attack. Hope he recovers quickly. So, my niece is getting married in July in B.C., Canada but I'm kinda thinking I will not go. Very costly to travel across Canada. Don't know why but it is. Cheaper for me to fly to Florida. I'm thinking of just giving her a wedding gift and saving some funds but she would never forgive me. I know I'm rambling on and I will sign off now but hope everyone has a great day!
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Judi im so happy to see you . if you were closer to me I would bring you some of my homemade chicken noodle soup.. Fell better soon.
VJ yes a keeper .. I read your book and allen carrs book... I liked both but nothing helped me quit .. but myself ... and I never thought I could do it .. but I did it .. Enjoy the cruise ... I love cruising ..
Oh yeah and when I got off of Zoloft I had those crazy brain buzzes .. almost like zaps . I called them brain zaps . I hated them ..
xoxoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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My belief is that ANY time spend thinking about change leads to making that change. The Stages of Change Model has been around for a very long time which explains how a person goes from not want to make a change (precontemplation) to making the change. At each "stage" there are psychological processes that help a person move along the continuum. Here is a chart that I use when I do trainings for health care professionals:
A person in precontemplation has no desire to change. It is no use giving them a solution because they don't think they have a problem. Consciousness raising is giving them a problem--which is what Allan Carr's book is all about--changing the way you think about smoking.
Contemplation is where you want to quit but you still want to smoke. There is ambiguity--I want to quit BUT not right now. Self-reevaluation is looking at yourself in relationship to what ever change you want to make.
Lisamarie-- commitment is what you are talking about when you say that only you helped you quit--you made the commitment to yourself. And every time you read something, every time you thought about changing, you were raising your consciousness, doing a self-reevaluation, and increasing an emotional arousal.
One of the reasons why it is so hard to quit is that everyone is at a difference stage, so giving advice to someone who is in contemplation needs to be different than someone taking action. An action step would be to tell someone to go for a walk instead of smoking (countering) but if you told that to someone who is in precontemplation--it would fall on deaf ears because they don't even want to quit, but that information gets stored away in their brain, and is put to use if and when they ever make it to the action stage.
Motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy and relapse prevent are the type of therapy skills used at each stage.
My book has a little bit of all stages within it.
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VJ, Yes you are right . I did not think of it that way ..Bosom , That was always my excuse .. I am too stressed .. my life is crazy .. and I do not know how or where the strength finally came from for me to stop . I always thought well my life will never get better .. so I will never change and never stop smoking .. funny to think that now.. But I know it is so hard .. and life is still hectic .. but I am managing this still one day at a time ... I am giving you Big Hugs .. always with you my friend
Judi , Are you feeling any better I hope soo
Minus .. how are you ? I know its the weekend and the boards are not very active ...
I had a funny thing happen .. I got kicked off one of my thyroid boards on FB because I voiced my opinion.. anf the person did not belive me that I had cancer 2 times and did not get a CA 125 done ... I guess we are moving along back to the GYN as to why my belly is so big .. and a MRI .. looking at ovarian cancer now as The signs I have also are signs of it .. anyway ... Only a couple more weeks of class .. Yippeee than I am done and hopefully a good job in the Horizon.
xoxoxoxo
Lisamarie .
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VJ, yes your boyfriend is a keeper .... enjoy your cruise .... I'm jealous. LisaMarie, thanks so much for thinking of me. Yes, if you lived closer I would take you up on that offer. I love chicken soup. I don't cook so I don't know how to make it but boy I wish you were near by. New York ain't that far, girlfriend! So I'm still sick .... are you thinking of taking a plane or a train, eh?
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VJ - great chart and good points. We all have to cross that final point. I got to my final motivational kick when I discovered I had severe osteopenia and learned that smokes & cokes were both contributing factors. In my worst dreams I didn't want to break a hip and wind up stuck in a nursing home as an "older" lady when I might never go home again. Powerful motivation for me since I saw that happen to my Grandmother. I totally reversed the osteopenia...until BC & chemo, so now I start over w/calcium & weight bearing exercises. WOW your B-day cruise sounds great, and i agree - he sounds like a 'keeper'. My son said that was a nice cruise. Oh to see the Pacific...
Judi - Sorry you caught the crud. Hope it doesn't last too long. I'd bring soup from Houston but a) I don't really cook either and b) I don't think it would stay hot. LOL I like the way you're approaching retirement - trips & more trips. Can't remember - hadn't your husband already retired? What about taking the train to the wedding? Is there still a good cross-country train in Canada? Or maybe that now costs more than flying.
Bosum - I'm not sure life ever gets any less stressful. I found it harder to quit when I forcefully eliminated all stress & had nothing else to do but think about wanting to smoke. A good point to talk about at your Tuesday appointment?
LisaMarie - I'm surprised about the thyroid cancer boards. If I've learned anything on BCO, it's that every person & every treatment & every doc is totally different - sutures are different - or glue, tests are different - or none, drugs are different, implants are are different - or flat or DIEP, recovery times are different, etc. My MO said the CA blood tests are not particularly reliable - only a possible indicator, at least for breast & prostate cancer. I'm sorry to hear the next consideration is ovarian cancer but I will keep you in my prayers that isn't the case. I think you've never had a hysterectomy, right? I was surprised they didn't consider that when you had the last bleeding problems. Please let us know Thursday what the gyn says.
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Phew - didn't mean to get so carried away. Sorry for the above length.
Bridgegal - hope you're doing OK. We're all sending encouragement.
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Lisa Marie -- saw your post re possib. of ovarian cancer. As Bosum Blues said "so many false alarms". Will be thinking of you with very positive thoughts. The smoking? not so good. Cut down by half but long way to go. Actually it's only when I'm home that I get the urge. When I am out I don't even think of it. I see my computer on my desk and I'm automatically reaching for a cigarette.
Shirl
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Hi ladies! No way to truly catch up as I missed too much, but did do a quick read.
Welcome again Bridgegal. I think I said hi earlier but can't remember so saying it again. You will do this when you are truly ready to do this. That is the only way it will work but hang in there! Same to you Bosum! This is the hardest thing to accomplish!
I will be coming up on my two year not-smoking aversary on April 20th and I STILL cannot believe it! But, I really have been blessed to be able to maintain it with the way my life is these days. Really sucks lately but I count my blessings!
Lisamarie, praying you get some answers on your belly bloating/pain. Keep on pushing the doctors to test EVERYTHING until you know what is going on or have exhausted all avenues. As for the FB group, they don't understand cancer! Everyone is different as Minus two said!
Hi Minus and Judi! Feel better Judi...flu stinks!
Gotta run cause lunch is over for today! xoxox
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April - so nice to hear from you. WOW - two years. I remember when you were just starting to quit. Hope you're planning a celebration.
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Thanks ladies for the well wishes. Right now not a happy camper. Too much happening. But it will all work out one way or another. April - congrats on your 2 year quit anniversary. I too remember when you were starting out. Unbelievable, isn't it - we were able to beat the curse. Hi to the rest of the ladies and welcome Bridgegal.
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April woo hoo .. congrats to you .. I am going to be 5 months .. its still the longest ive ever gone .. and still going strong .. I know I am pushing along .. Thursday I go back to the gyno and the other doc orderd a MRI with contrast of abd and pelvis ... so we shall see
Judi awe I would love to bring you soup .. feel better ..
Xoxoxox
Lisamarie
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Bosum - how did it go today? Did you get some new ideas or insight?
LisaMarie - just in case I forget tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you Thursday and hoping for the best.
BridgeGal - cutting down by 1/2 is a good step. Now work on cutting that 1/2 in half. Don't give up!!
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Just to clarify - I know there are many people who believe you can only quit smoking by going "cold turkey" - with or without helplful drugs. I could not do that. I cut down gradually until I was only smoking 3 or 4 a day. Yes, I know it's really easy to work back up to 6 or 10 if it's a bad day, but that is the only thing that worked for me. I had the smokes separated into zip loc bags with the date so I didn't see an open pack. I finally weaned myself down to few enough smokes I had the nerve to quit - with the help of Chantix.
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LisaMarie .... that's the best offer ever. You are a wonderful person. AND congrats also on your 5 month quit anniversary. I remember all that you went through but "lord love a duck" you are through the worst. Yay! Now, let's hope you can get the rest figured out - fingers are crossed. Good Luck!
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Thanks Judi , and Bosom .. I know 5 months just kinda flew by I guess if im counting correct . It seems for me ive been quit forever..lol I am glad that I got myself through the rough part..TY Minus as for Health issues .. I am feeling at a lost now .. They GYN said today he does not think it is gynecological .. that is good news.. and getting tran vag us next Thursday to confirm.. but between him and the gastro .. no one has a clue to what is wrong .. I have MRI with contrast of the pelvis ..., I am just wanting to know why I look six months preganant . Ive never looked like this before .... Ho Hum feeling Frusterated ..
XOXOXOX
Lisa marie
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Bosom, I just have until the end of month march 300 -
Yeah and I just did a thing on computer for emblem health and it says I make too much on unemployment ,, but what they don't get is unemployment is up in another 2 months .. UGH .. I guess I am gonna rest for now ... not feeling too good ..xoxoxoxox
Ty Bosom for listening ,,, im feeling lost and frustrated ,,
xoxoxoxo
Lisamaie
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LisaMarie - I'm so sorry that there are still no answers. What a nightmare. Do you feel like you can bond w/any of these docs & really talk to them, or feel like they're just going through the motions? Can you jump up & down & scream & cry for one of them to move this along faster?
When's the MRI? You did have a colonoscopy, right? And a lower GI? I see you had some lymph nodes removed. Any chance this could be lymphadema & the fluid isn't draining? It does appear you can get LE (& swelling) in the groin or abdomen in addition to the trunk. Have you ever seen an LE trained physical therapist?
Are you taking any of the hormone blocking BC drugs? Some are known to cause serious weight gain.
Looks like Sloan-Kettering has a new "cancer survivorship center" (link below). Any way you can get a referral there? Or maybe they have some useful assisted treatment?
http://www.mskcc.org/blog/journey-ahead-survivorsh...
On a more exciting subject, you're almost done at school right? I'm so proud of you for pushing on through. Do you get a graduation ceremony?
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Minus , I had an upper GI and polyps in small intestine along with inflammation. and also inflammation of my stomach they took biopsy of both and said it was fine. they tested my blood for celiac disease witch is a glutem intolerance , they also tested the stomach for that at biopsy to say I don't have that . Then I had a cat scan of pelvis and stomach and they said it looked ok except something about my uterus and cervix .. so that is why I am going for MRI with contrast today .. and I just thought I wouls dee the gyno because of what they told me .. he is doing a trans vag ultrasound next Thursday ... but he said he does not believe it is gynological and rushes me away .. the gastro docs have been nice at least they orderd the testing .. my primary is the best she is the one who really listens and takes the time to understand and see what she can do for me .. actually she has gotten me this far .. So I guess now we sit and wait ... I love that you all care so much .. I just hate to have all this health stuff going on ... and I just want to feel good ..well have a good day . I have a busy one and then a wedding to attend ... xoxoxoxox
Bosom .. I am always here for you . I am so excited about your therapy and I love that you try to help me out with things .. I am always thinking of ya ... xoxoxoxo you hang strong because deep down you may not know it but you are one tough cookie ..
xoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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