Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Hi there!!!!! Hugs to you all. It was great to catch up a bit with MinusTwo. I just want to say how grateful I am for you all. This thread helped me through my early journey so much. I am sorry I have been absent. I really had some difficulty with depression after Mom died. Happy to report I am feeling better and working at a zoo part time which has been good medicine for my soul. I took care of my Mom full time at the end and just haven't been able to bring myself to go back to patient care yet. We were so very close and I miss her. But....realized I had to move forward.
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Beckers, good to hear from you again. We were worried about you but knew it would take time to grieve. It is so hard to lose a parent and one that you were very close to. But these times will be your memories that you shared together and will be with you forever. Your mom is watching you and is so proud of you. Love the pics of the zoo animals. When I was in South Africa I was hoping to see a lion but no such luck. I saw three of the big five - rhino, water buffalo and the elephant - no lion or leopard. The elephants were the most amazing experience that I have ever seen besides the two rhinos that wouldn't let us pass. One was pregnant and the male was protecting her. I guess he thought we were too close (in our vehicle) and kept coming back to scare us off. He did a good job because it was getting really late and you had to be out of Kreuger National Park by 6:30 p.m. This was around 5:30 p.m. and his scare tactics went on for approximately 5 km. We finally turned around and came across all the giraffes and zebras crossing the road and we had to wait for that to end. We got to the gate a few minutes after closing and the guard gave us a really hard time. But it was an experience that I don't regret and will carry with me forever. Beckers, make sure you check in from time to time so that we know you are o.k. We are happy you are feeling better so don't forget us!
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Love the tiger. He looks so sweet. Beckers - thanks for sharing.
Judi - were you & DH alone in the park with the rhino? Do they at least give you pagers or something so they don't strand people in there? Eeks
Discovered another trigger that I'd forgotten - cooking. Yesterday day I made beef tips or boeuf bourguignon. Lot of onions & mushroom and lots of chopping & sauteing before I let it simmer all afternoon. I used to always have a smoke between chops. Sigh. No, I didn't succumb. Just for today I will not smoke.
Bosum - you're welcome to lurk all you want & be quiet if you want. We're thinking of you.
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Minus .. dental question ,,, My gums are all ready receading . you can see the space from the tooth and gum.. and if something gets in there like cold air woo hoo .. anyway did the water pik help it go back or it never does ..ty for talking with beckers
Judi ..I am like that too I brush for too long and way to hard . I always buy the hard toothbrush or medium because I feel without it my teeth are not clean , I guess I did more damage than help ... we shall see . But I am def looking into the water pic.
Beckers so glad to hear from you, I am so sorry about your Mom . I too will do the same . My mom is in Vegas and off and on not doing good she is now 70 lbs .. I worry day and night .. Depression is difficult to get over I know that . I think that the Zoo is an amazing place to be to cure the blues .. all those wonderful photos of the cuties ...Have fun . Id love to work at a Zoo..
Today It is freezing out brrrrr.. I am going to do a little shopping with the lady i take care of .. maybe pick up some seeds for the garden .. I hope everyone has a great day ...
Just for today I will not smoke ,,,
Bosom .. Love ya !!!! xoxoxoxox
Lisamarie
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LisaMarie - The short answer is Phillips Sonic Care brush. I too always bought a hard brush & brushed extra long & hard to be sure my teeth 'felt' clean.
The long answer - When I first went to the periodontist, he was talking immediate surgery. I wanted to try "kinder" methods first. This was not too long after I was diagnosed w/severe osteopenia and I darn sure didn't want to take those bone drugs with mouth problems already. My Dad had died a couple of months before so I was no longer commuting to CA every month & the company I worked for closed their Houston office & I was w/o a job. Can't get any lower right? Oh forgot, my BFF & smoking buddy had died the year before and I was divorced. But it's not a country song in spite of the fact I live in Texas, since i don't have a dog or a pick up truck.
So a major overhaul of my life, and I still don't know how I managed it. I quit smoking. I cried a lot. I stopped drinking cokes, and I was drinking 8+ a day - took one to bed & popped another right after I opened my eyes & lit my first smoke. I cried some more. I started using the Phillips Sonic Care (twice a day at first, now I only use at night & a 'real' brush in the morning). I started walking every time I wanted a smoke. Gradually I was walking 4-5 miles a day - weight bearing exercise for the bones. I joined Curves and then a larger gym. I worked out for 45 minutes every day - stretches & weights. A very long 6 months later, I considered myself a "certified" non smoker (ha ha) and found a new job. My receding gums had quit receding and were marching forward down my teeth & covering the nerves again. By the next year my osteopenia was gone & bones were normal again. Hot damn I'm good!!! Of course this is rambling, but it's a rainy Saturday and my garden plans are disrupted.
The silver lining? (Just a little cynical here). 4 years later I got BC and the chemo messed up my bones again and the dry mouth from chemo & rads caused 7 teeth to have "radiation decay". But my gums are good. In May maybe I'll start exercising again. Or not.
I do have a Water Pik but I only use it to get popcorn or seeds out of my teeth. Using that alone never made my teeth feel clean enough. But the SonicCare really worked & as Judi said, you can use the Water Pik instead of dental floss. I don't have the patience to use both.
Sorry for the rant but it seemed all tied together & impossible to stop once I got started. And really, I'm OK - just sorry for myself every now & then - like today when i wanted to get my plumarias in the ground . I'm going to go read Greg Iles newest paperback "Natchez Burning" and contemplate a pizza. Happy weekend everyone. JUST FOR TODAY I WILL NOT SMOKE.
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Ha, ha, ha, MinusTwo, I love your rant. It is truly good for the soul to rant and feel sorry for yourself every now and then. I'm happy to hear what you are saying about the Philips Sonic Care as I'm really worried about the gums. I never used a hard tooth brush - always soft but damn that brushing to make your teeth feel clean. I have to give credit to my friend to tell me to buy it as she said her teeth has never felt so clean and she is a nonsmoker. But she didn't buy the Philips because of cost. But I figure the Water Pik should take care of all the money I spend on floss and I just got another coupon for the Sonic Care so I'll buy another to take on my travels. I'll let you know how I make out. LisaMarie, definitely check out the Philips Sonic Care at Walmart. I didn't buy the most expensive one - I bought the one for healthier gums which was $72.99 Canadian but I had the $10 card off. Check the Philips website as maybe they have the coupon on the web. Worth a try. We have quit smoking but now we have to take care what the little bastards did to us!
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Minus , that was a great rant .. I actually had a giggle or two ... I hope you have a great day today .. maybe the weather is better today ad you can plant . I will look into the phillps sonic care . I started seedlings yesterday for tomato , cucumber , spinach , and arugala . and today I will plant my snap peas , peas, radishes and onions . maybe the potatoes... its supposed to be sunny and 60 ...xoxoxo thanks for the info ..
Judi , I am going to go to the website now and see how much they are .. xoxoxox
Bosom ..xooxox
Beckers ..
where are all our newbie friends .. hoping they are all doing ok no matter where they may be at this point ..
Today I choose not to smoke and try to be healthy .....
xoxoxoxo
Happy Sunday all
Lisamarie
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Ladies, I think all the newbies and oldies left us. I think it is down to 4 or 5 people, if that!
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Hello all.. I had my recon 4/22.. right side implant and left side latissimus flap with implant because skin was thin.I originally had bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders in November. On my left breast I had a small spot that would not healing, kind of looked scabby so dr decided the latissimus flap was the best option. I received all the warnings of surgery but said this was used on heavy smokers. I was down to 3 a day before surgery and never a heavy smoker so didn't think this was an issue. Well, now I have purple and black skin where latissimus flap skin was placed. It appears to be dying and necrotic. I have no idea what they are going to do to fix this if it can even be fixed. Dr wants to wait until tuesday to see if theres any improvement. He said he never saw this before. Is it possible that I will not be able to have implants? This is so hard and I am so anxious but have not touched a cigarette in 5 days. Has anyone had any issues like mine? Is there anything that can be done so I can have implants? I'm scared and have been crying for days
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Oh pattie - I'm so sorry to hear of your problems. Are they sure it was caused by smoking? I didn't have skin issues but maybe someone else on here will have some thoughts.. You might try the threads "Exchange City" or "TE Trouble".
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Minustwo.they didn't say it was from smoking just implied it when they saw how the skin flap looked. the dr actually told me this is the procedure they would use on smokers because the tissue isn't disconnected from its blood supply. They pull it under the skin from the back to the breast. He said he never saw one fail before. Only me!! I will try those boards as well..thank you
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Pattif, I am also sorry to hear about your troubles . My surgeon told me I could have that done as well because I was too thin for stomach surgery .. but I just decided on the te and silicone implant .. I hope everything works out for you .. and congrats on your 5 days smoke free..
xoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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Judi - I think there is still a good group of lurkers. Seaside checks in occasionally, as do several other "old timers". Newbies who didn't make the first try are still there - just not posting much. I understand the need to "move on" from BC, and I've tapered back from the active treatment threads, but I've made too many good friends to quit a couple of the threads. Plus, not smoking is something I will always be willing to talk about. It was too hard for me & I know others struggle. Not to mention the regulars here who are planning a great 'smoke out' trip (maybe NYC?) in only 9 more years.
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I had a flap that had very small veins and arteries and they used a nitro glycerin cream (they use nitro for heart patients) the only bad thing was it would give me a very bad headache but the flap survived.
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I am here and I do lurk and have little time for posting lately as work is crazy busy! But, I love you all and am thinking of you. Stay strong! It is soooo worth it!
Just for today...yada, yada, you know!
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jbdayton - thanks for posting a solution that worked for you.
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Alsolurking !!! XOXO
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Beckers!!!!!!!! Those photos are absolutely amazing!! It is very hard to rebound after such a profound loss. Glad you are doing it with animals who will seek nothing from you but affection and food. No bad days around critters is my motto!
Love to everyone..am at work and crazy busy but I lurk!
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Having cancer just sucks. I think it is common for doctors to want to blame any complications on "smoking" and it does increase certain risks BUT sometimes s*** happens. I've known too many people who didn't smoke and they still got cancer, they still had complications. I think it is also normal for us to what to know-"why". I know I've asked myself it it many times--why did I get cancer so young (I was 32 and maybe there was a link to my bad habits?), but then why did it come back after 23 years (when I have stopped)? I think if we can figure out "why", we think we can control the situation but with cancer, we can't control it.
What I have learned is when I can't control a situation, I look at what I can control--I can change my habits, I can change the way I interact with others, and I can change the way I think about the situation. This last one is the one that has made the most impact on my life--changing my attitude--for me that is evoking my spiritual nature. A friend gave me a tin can wrapped with a saying---"I can't but God CAN".(Not to get religious, I don't normally use the word God--since it has a different meaning for everyone, I usually use the word--Source--as in the Source of ALL things). So often my prayer (for so many things including cancer) is--I pray for the best possible outcome. I don't know what the best possible outcome can be but Source (of all things) does know. I have learned that after changing what I can control (habits, interactions, attitude), I then need to "let go", to allow the best possible outcome to happen instead of trying to "make it happen"--I can't but God CAN. For me--this gives me peace when I can't control the outcome to something.
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Welcome jbdayton! I honestly can't help you here because I never went through what you are going through. I so sorry to hear of this. It distresses me to hear of this. It's enough that we have to go through the "c" thing but then this. There will be someone out there to help you and get you through all of this. MinusTwo .... so we are meeting in NYC for our "smoke"? I love it! Well said VJ! I love it. I'm seeing the oncologist tomorrow and I do have a question for her. Up here in Ontario, on t.v. there is an ad promoting exercise which may prevent some forms of breast cancer. So, if I had exercised all my life, I may not have gotten cancer.
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Judi -I did exercise all my life, and... Still, I'd be interested in hearing what they say.
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Home from the hospital and saw the oncologist resident. Best day ever at the hospital. NED and it appears at this time, I will be finished my 5 years of letrozole come January 2016. That's all the prescription that I got lasts for. I was all prepared to go the 10 year route and was told that due to the size of my tumour, no chemo, and I have been on letrozole and not tamoxifen for 5 years, studies at the present time do not suggest that 10 years will make a difference. Unless new studies come out show that it is beneficial then I will be finished. I can now go back to doing my routine bone density through my family doctor, and I just had to call the hospital about my yearly mammogram because it was not booked for this year. MinusTwo, I asked the question about exercise and yes, it does help prevent some breast cancer but if it happens, it happens. No rhyme or reason why some get "C" and others don't. Also, letrozole use would not have caused my gum problems. She said she could see if I had chemo but the answer was no! I celebrated with chips and dip, and 2 shots of tequila!
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LOL on the shots of tequila Judi! You are too cute! I am happy that you will be off the evil AI come January. Lucky girl...I still have 3 years left
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April, since I was diagnosed I have had a shot of tequila every day, and I was not sick until recently. I was leaving out west so I didn't want to buy any for the remaining 4 days and voila, got sick - real sick. I'm never doing that again. One shot, two shots - it is well worth it. April, the time goes by real fast. When I first started this journey, I thought 5 years was soooooooo long, and here it is, almost over. Luck is that the cancer never comes back but yes, I'm lucky I'm almost over this hideous journey! Mind you I've met some great people that I never would have met - now this is luck!
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How come no one ever told me about the tequila treatment? Wonder if it would work for Kentucky Bourbon? Do you still get to have wine w/dinner? Or Tia Maria with coffee? Congrats Judi on one less ugly drug.
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MinusTwo, I thought I had told you almost my drinking habit. Yes, tequila works wonders for me and I'm sure your drink choice would also work. Hmmmmm, other drinks! Let's see, I had tequila, wine and coffee with Grand Marnier all in one day. Usually it is just tequila and wine but I celebrated today. I actually don't drink a lot - 1 oz of tequila, 2 oz of wine but if I'm out, then I partake. I'm going out for Mexican food which I absolutely love on Friday night. Hmmmmm, a few Margaritia's are called for! Thanks for the well wishes on the elimination of one less ugly drug. But I have until 2016 to go so I'm still there with you. Now to not have any nacho chips - I'm up and hungry!
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Hi ladies its been a crazy time around here .. so sorry for being gone... I am taking care of the lady 3 days a week 3 hours at a time .. not much but then I am back at the house cleaning on the other days and after my lady so ive been exhausted ... I am so glad to see everyone chatting ... I still hope all works out for Pattif ..
Bosom glad to see ya chiming in. and yes you should probably do some more time at the the no kill shelter , I think having pets in my home helps me so much ,, the love you get is beyond amazing from animals especially ones in a shelter ..
I have 2 asaparagus popping up .. that was so fun to see .. everything else is sprouting so spring is here thank god ,. today am ahving some friends over for steak and lobster tails ,
Judy I cannot comment on the drink of choice but these days it seems to be a coke ... I am glad that you only have one year left on the nasty drug .. I am still saving up for my sonic care ...
Beckers I keep looking back at the Animals . Id also love to be there at the zoo
April .. glad you are here lurking ... xoxoxox
If you are lurking or posting , smoking or not , this is a great place to be . I cannot say enough about all the ladies and the support here ..
Have a Great Weekend Ladies ...
xoxoxoxox
Just for today I will not smoke
Lisamarie
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LisaMarie - great to hear from you and learn about your first 'care' job. Hoping it will lead to many others. Also glad you're feeling well enough to be cleaning again - although we surely do understand about the exhausted feeling.
I agree - isn't spring wonderful? I finally got my 9 plumarias in the ground last week - only 2 months late. Several are now over 10 ft tall so I had to find someone to help. It's just amazing to me that you yank them out before the first freeze, cut off the leaves & blooms and just throw them in the garage. In the spring you stick the stalks back in the ground and it's magic.
Went on a wonderful Fun4Seniors bus trip sponsored by the County to ShangriLa Gardens in Orange, TX. Boat trip on a bayou, then acres of gardens to walk around - hanging gardens, orchid gardens, herons in their nests tending to babies, etc. The bus trip was 2-1/2 hours each way and we had to pay for our own lunch, but otherwise the TOTAL cost was $5.00. I'll be taking more of these trips. It's another one of those things that would have been problematical if I still smoked.
So just for today I will not smoke!!!
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MinusTwo .... you definitely are an inspiration. I'll have to check out those senior trips!
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Thanks ladies. I'm trying to force myself plan fun things now that I don't have docs or PT every week. One bus trip coming up is to several of Houston's premier resale shops - lots of high quality stuff for cheap prices. Then there's a harbor boat tour and a trip to a local little theater to see Oklahoma. It's much easier to stay home and watch my hair grow - LOL.
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