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Stop Smoking Support Thread

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Comments

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    Sucked out .... only blackberries for tonight!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2015


    Bosom... I miss you , so glad to see you .. you sound great ! xoxox

    Lisamarie

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Bosum - I agree with LisaMarie. We REALLY miss you posting. Glad you checked in.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    I'd love to hear how the counseling is going if you feel like talking about it. Otherwise, just sending positive energy.

  • Mariakis
    Mariakis Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2015

    thanks ladies for all the advice. Agreed - it is mental at this point. I've just depended on them for so many years that I think idk what to do without them. I have 2nd consult with ps next week. Will speak with him then. Worst time possible to quit.

    Can't even bring myself to exercise anymore. Used to 4x a week. Don't care anymore. Don't even like looking in mirror. Think I'm slightly depressed? Is it the bc or the chantix? Hmmmm

    Decided today I willtell my 7 yr old the truth. Was going to be a liar and make up a story about appendix or something. I think that was just me not wanting to verbalize it to her. My older two know. But we have so many ppl in our lives that r survivors that I know she will be ok.

    Husband is in his own world. Has no idea the dr appts, phone calls, and tests I've been thru. (I work at the hospital, so I always go while at work) he has no concept of what lies ahead. All I get is "it'll b fine. Ull b fine "

    I want to hit him.

    Reese's peanut butter cups will have to appease me for now. ....

    U ladies r wonderful.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2015


    Bosom, I am doing the same.. I am still gaining weight .. crazy crazy .. but other than that filling out applications and trying to find work .. you do sound good , yes baby steps ,, any step means progress. I am proud of you .. xoxoxox

    Mariakis , I think maybe the Chantix could be causing depression.. I ahd it a bit but was also on an anti depressant as well.. I had a hard time telling my kids but they were all older and out of the house . I will keep you and your family in my prayers . and Peanut butter cups are always good..my snacks were blow pops, pistachios, sweedish fish .... and it goes on and on.. anyway Hope all goes well at PS .. please keep in touch we are glad to have you .

    XOXOXOX

    Lisamarie

     

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    Bosum, I wish they had a "like" button on the posts because I sure love your post. You go girl. As said before, you will do it on your terms and your time!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Geez Bosum - "sexy"? I can't remember when I last felt that way. (oh yes I can - it was the last time I had nipples, if that's not TMI) Anyway - Hooray for you. At least you're not giving up. Treading water is OK. So maybe you're not addressing the smoking right now, but you are addressing self-image. For you and everyone else in the frozen East, life ought to get easier if the storms ever stop.

    Mariakis - did you talk to the doc about the depression? It's depressing just to consider either quitting smoking or cancer all alone before you add Chantix to the mix. Hope he steps up to the plate as time goes on. Maybe he can give you a 'booster' drug for awhile. I vote for going ahead & slapping your DH. As for telling your 7 year old, I don't think it's good for kids to be in the dark. They sense the vibes when we're not feeling well & stressed - and BC will give you both. How about using the old adage for the sex info talk - tell her just what she can understand on her level and assure her she can ask questions any time she's concerned. Then just answer the questions honestly. When you get a chance, go to my profile and fill in your stats so those of us who have problems remembering can give you better answers.



  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited April 2015

    I remember someone asking me, "Why are you depressed, you're going to live?"

    As if having cancer and going through treatment isn't reason enough to be depressed!!!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Right on VJ!!! So is the boyfriend still a keeper now that you're back on dry land?

  • Mariakis
    Mariakis Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2015

    hi all. Day One - with absolutely not one smell or touch of a cigarette. Woohoo!

    I did fill in my stats for you all, I just needed to make them public I guess. Still learning.

    I look fwd to hearing more about u all . Thanks for making me feel so welcome

    Gnite!


  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Mariskis - WAY TO GO. Just like our motto. One day at a time. Just for Today I will not Smoke. Or did I get it backwards group? Past my bed time.

  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited April 2015

    MinusTwo--yup he is definitely a keeper. I've never been married because I have never met someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and I have now. He is really a good guy.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2015


    Bosom , You put a smile on my face .. That is something I fear to address .. Self Image . I cant remember ever feeling sexy ..lol I have a very bad self esteem and even before and after BC .. I am giving you a thumbs up for that .. everything else as you know comes in time . I just think you are an amazing part of my journey .. (lifes Journey) keep up the positive stuff ... xoxoxox

    Lisamarie

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    Oh LisaMarie .... I can't believe what I just read. I would never have guessed in a million years that you fear self image. Look at those beautiful pics that you posted last year. And the way you talk, wouldn't have guessed. Same to you Bosum, I wouldn't have guessed. But you know what ladies, you have both been through so much along with the cancer. So I'm raising my wine glass and cheering (clink,clink) you both on. You both have come so far that I'm am so proud of you. Funny you talk about self image because I always think that someone is always better then me. Probably true but I like who I am. So, with that, I'm raising my wine glass in honour of me. Cheers ladies!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Oh - I'm going to open a bottle right now & join you!!! LisaMarie - you can join us with something like the new Welch's Sparking juice cocktails The peach-mango is pretty good. Edited - oops - passion fruit-mango. The joy is that we all raise a glass.

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    Way to go ladies .... my wine was good. How about you MinusTwo? I think we should have a glass every day in honour of these ladies!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Bosum - yes, coffee & drinks are both STRONG triggers for many of us. I actually quit drinking alcohol for a good while while I was learning not to smoke. Thank heavens I can no longer remember how long, but gradually I started back with one glass of wine occasionally. Of course during chemo everything tasted terrible, including any alcoholic drinks, so I had another break.

    Thought - I really was learning not to smoke. Smoking was so much a part of me that it truly was a re-training process. How to live without smoking. For those of you who are new, I really do see myself as as smoker. Just one who is not smoking at the time. And hasn't been smoking for 7 years. But I'm still a smoker!!! So, just for today I will not smoke.

    Funny line from something I was reading - if people who are totally caught up with making & learning about & discussing food are foodies, are people who are totally caught up with wine, winies? Or winos?

    Judi - I think we should have two glasses!!! But only if I can plan on a nap afterwards.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Nope - I quit because of osteopenia. I didn't want to end up as one of those women who break a hip as we get older and never make it back out of a nursing home. Also quit my 8 a day coca cola habit at the same time (which was as hard as the smokes). Nicotine & carbonated cokes are both major contributors to osteoporosis and I didn't want to take the biosphosphonate drugs that can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. I started working out at a gym for an hour every day after work & walked 4-5 miles at least 5 days a week. I was healthier than I'd ever been in my entire life, then wham - BC. I had my bones totally back to normal before the darn chemo zapped them. It's not likely that I have the motivation to start the exercise program all over again. Maybe it's enough that I no longer smoke?

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    MinusTwo .... yup drank enough wine tonight for both of us and ready for sleep. It's not something I do on a regular basis so quite enjoyed it. Good meal, good friends and good wine. Great day overall for me. Yes, drinking and coffee were my triggers that I was worried about but it never hit it. But by god, cleaning and smokes were an item. I still yearn for a smoke or two or three or four .... depends on how long I clean for. MinusTwo you are so right though, we are smokers who have just chosen not to smoke at the present time. But wait until I'm 80. Yahooooooooo, party time!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2015

    Well Ladies , I just wrote a whole long thing and lost it .. xoxoxox

    will write later

    Lisamarie

  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited April 2015

    Bosum Blues- yes I was young -32 and in 1987 things were very different. I had to fight to not have a radical mastectomy. I was told I wasn't a candidate for a lumpectomy. There was no standard protocol for someone my age/staging at the time. I spoke to 10 oncologists and I got 10 different answers. There was no testing beyond ER. I was just flat out lucky it didn't turn out worst.

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited April 2015

    Well ladies, finally venturing back on after a week from hell. My ex husband passed away on April 9th from a skin cancer that he did not know he had (squamous cell on a scar from a surgery 20 years ago) that wrapped all the way around his bowel. He entered the hospital thinking it was operable and promptly got an infection that gave him a temp of over 104. Then they intubated him and put him in a forced coma (this happened 20 years ago as well btw) and when they extubated him, they told him it was much worse than they thought and there was nothing they could do for him. Even though he was a jerk in many ways, I was married to that man for almost 30 years and feel absolutely devastated. This is the father of both of my children!.

    To make matters worse, my current husband is really sick too. He has walking pneumonia and I have never seen him like this. Doctor put him on a strong antibiotic and although he is a bit better, it seems that he is still awfully sick considering he has been taking the 10 day antibiotic for 6 days already!

    Welcome to the newbies!

    VJ, you look amazing in that photo. Congrats on your true love...enjoy this!

    Ok, back at work and going insane. It never pays to take a week off cause when you come back, it is crazy!! Loopy

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    April - so sorry to hear about your ex. I've managed to stay friendly with mine and we actually go to lunch about every 6 weeks. (Bosum - I hear you laughing after our PMs, but it's true. Edited to add - why not since he has so much money now?). I agree - when you've been married a long time & share children it's hard. Also sorry about your DH. Here's hoping the antibiotic starts working harder. Good luck catching up at work.


  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    April, I'm so sorry to hear the rotten news and week that you've had. You are absolutely right - you were married to him and he is the father of your children. None of us want anything bad to happen to someone even though they may or did give us a hard time. Now your dh - here's to his speedy recovery and your sanity. Hope is all works out wonderful for you and you can sit back and breathe a bit easier.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2015

    April so sorry for your Loss and hoping that your DH gets better soon .. sometimes they say when it rains it pours. here is a hug for you hoping all gets better .. xoxoxo

    Wow VJ that is some story . I am glad that you pulled through all of it to be here to spread all your wonderful knowledge with the group.xoxo

    Bosom . I was saying before when I lost my post that I constantly battle with my self esteem. I have always thought I was not pretty, too skinny, and it goes on and on .. (now I think im too fat) I will always fight and wished I could one day sit and say Gee I am truly happy about who I am . I like me .. But like all things maybe it will come in time .

    I forgot what else it was that I wrote ..

    Hi Judy ...you sound amazing .. are you feeling better ?

    I am on my way this morning to the BS , I found a big lump on the side of my implant close to the under arm .. so hoping its nothng but getting it checked .. Ill keep ya all posted ..

    xoxoxo Have a sunshiny day

    Lisamarie

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited April 2015

    Lisamarie - in your pocket this morning & waiting anxiously to hear the lump is nothing!!!

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited April 2015

    Lisamarie, you are in my thoughts today and wishing you a good outcome!

    Thanks for the condolences ladies. Although we could not stay married, my ex was my husband for a very long time. Had he not loved his mistress VODKA so much, we would still likely have been married but alas, I came in second for many years... But, I met a wonderful man who I am crazy about (surprised the heck out of me cause I sure as hell was not looking to get married again after that long marriage ended!) and I am very happy. So, whoever thinks it cannot happen can be very surprised. Especially since I was nearing 50 at the time we met.

    Ok, gotta run cause am at work and the clients must be done with testing now so gotta go! xo

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited April 2015

    LisaMarie, I'm with MinusTwo - in your pocket. MinusTwo move over so I have room. I want to cheer along with you that we are waiting anxiously and the lump is nothing!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited April 2015


    Thanks for being there ladies .. so I had a sono and the radiologist came in and said it is most likely scar tissue .. yeah :) so I go back in 6 months for follow up sono and if changes then will biopsy . so for now all clear ... feeling happy.

    April I am so happy that you found a man that thinks you are his world.. that must be an awesome feeling .. im 46 and not sure if I would marry again .. anyway I hope he feels better soon and I am so happy for you xoxoxo

    Lisamarie

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