Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Thanks Minus, I'm sorry you had a crappy day and spent it in the "hurry up and wait" mode, instead of meeting your friends for lunch! That SUCKS!
Hopefully they can find the problem and fix it on Thursday! (fingers crossed) That was smart to take a magazine. The doc is supposed to call me in the next few days to schedule a meeting so we can decide on a treatment plan. I'll keep you posted. Hope your Wednesday is better than today. TTYL Take Care 
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Hi Minus .. Hope all is well .. feel better sending you loving hugs ...
Bosom.. I am so excited for you ,, I wish I could find a good therapist .. I miss you
Shars thanks ... yes a slip is really not that bad a learning experience for sure .. hey we are all human ...
Me Busy Busy .. got 3 houses to clean again today so I prob wont be home untl late as usual ..
Judi, April and Vj hi...
Just stopping by before work '
Hugs to you all
xoxoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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Just wanted to stop by and say a quick hello. My friend is in ICU with severe pneumonia and an infection. It has been only 3 weeks since he was diagnosed with ALS and already the Priest came and gave him last rites. I hope he fools them all and rallies but it is touch and go and I am so sad. He is such a good person and I am reeling from this horrific news. Also, this morning, for the first time in my entire life, I hit a squirrel with my car and killed it. I am devastated. I was hoping to make it through my life without ever seeing an animal die from my tires. I have stopped for turtles, squirrels, deer and all manner of creatures but this little guy just ran out and it was too late.
Have to run. I do Mock Interviews for ex-offenders in the Easter Seals/Goodwill re-entry program once a month and am running late and it is a 30 minute drive. Bye for now. I love and miss you all.
Welcome to our newbies...
More later! xo
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LisaMarie - Being busy is a mixed blessing I'm sure, but at least you don't have time or energy to smoke. Sounds like your energy is holding out. I was glad to hear that your DBF is staying on his meds.
April - so sorry about your friend. One of my dear friends died just a year ago. It was only 3 weeks from diagnosis to the end so i never even got to CA to see him again. I just sent his daughter the present I had for him last Christmas as a sort of memorial/inheritance. And oh no for the squirrel. That's quite a record making it this far.
Bosum - looking forward to hearing a good report. Sending positive vibes that you "connect" mentally & emotionally with this new therapist.
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Welcome Sharsand .... you've come to a great place for tips, rants, crying, friendship and laughs!
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Judi - Do you stay in Florida through the holidays? Hope you're still having a wonderful time.
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Minus, hope today is better than yesterday. Good luck tomorrow. Sorry about your friend. I'm not sure what type of genetic testing they did. I think it was BRAC1 & BRAC2. My 52 yo brother got his Dx in May. He is doing fine and set a good example of being positive and courageous for me to follow. My sisters did not get tested yet but they all recently got their mammograms with negative results.
LisaMarie, I hope you are eating and have enough energy to clean 3 houses! OH MY! I can barely keep my house clean.
April, Thanks, it's good to be here. I am so sorry about your friend. I too hope he gets his second wind and has a miracle recovery. Prayers and hugs to you both.
Judi, thanks for the warm welcome. I have only been here a couple of days but I feel lucky and blessed to be able to interact with so many kind, gracious, friendly and supportive people.
Hope everyone is have a good day and feeling well! Take Care
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Bosum, Hopefully you two will click in the next session or two. If not look for someone else. It's like finding the right medication. Sometimes it takes a while. Good luck.
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Bosum, she is behind the times if she thinks that a sleeping pill or anti-anxiety medication is better for you medically than a couple of hits of weed. She is not worth your time if that is the case, but I agree with sharsand. Perhaps you are tired and judged her wrongly. Give her another shot and she may just surprise you. If I have learned nothing else in my 60+ years on this planet, it is that I am not always right. Hugs to you hon.
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Bosum, I am the same way, black and white, no gray area for me. I have been wrong about people once or twice. But if you cross me or do me wrong...it's over! lol It seems to me that Docs are the same way. Either they are open to the possibilities of medical marijuana or they are dead set against it. Be who you are and to hell with her. She's getting paid to listen and to help you. Nonetheless, I am hoping you two can find some common ground and you can get something out of it that will help you. Good luck and well wishes!
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Hi MT. Yup, here in Florida for the holidays. Going home probably on January 2nd. It's been nice and warm. Very humid and it's doing a number on my hair. Oh well! Looking forward to the holidays. I'm glad I bought all my presents at home and brought them down as I haven't a clue about the stores. My way of shopping is if I see it, like it, then I buy it. You definitely need a car as there are no buses and shopping is in pockets. I guess if you lived here you would know all the areas. Going home is bittersweet for me .... I see the oncologist on Feb. 23/16, and if all goes well I could be off the meds. I remember when I started this journey, five years seemed a life time. Now, I'm almost finished. Can't believe how fast it goes!
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Oh wow Judi. Five years!!! We'll be congratulating you on that milestone in February.
I got CT results today and it looks like all the issues that showed up on the films 6 month ago are gone. The MO thinks maybe artifacts were from infection or inflammation. Anyway, I'm cleared for another 6 months. Then I'll have a PET/CT (which I really had to fight to get) and if there are no "hot spots", I'll have the port removed. Blood work all in normal ranges again. More Hoorays!! As with your upcoming appointment, it's just impossible not to worry, even if you push it to the back of your mind. And it's hard for me to determine exactly what are SEs of the chemo & rads and what are the effect of aging five years after the first surgery. Oh well. Had a Gin & Tonic to celebrate. I may even have a glass of wine w/dinner. Of a glass of wine instead of dinner.
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Judi, Congrats! And good luck!
Hope everyone is feeling well physically and emotionally. Take Care!
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Minus, great news and I add to your Hoorays!!! Praying for another 6 months of healing and hopefully you can have your port removed. Cheers!
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Hi MT and Sharsand! Thanks for the well wishes .... will keep you informed and likewise. How are you doing sharsand?
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Doing well thanks Judi. Playing the waiting game. But I am able to keep calm for the moment anyway. Glad you are able to enjoy some nice weather before heading up North. Have a good afternoon.
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Thanks Sharsand! Waiting game is always the hardest. I was diagnosed 8 days before Christmas and was on it like flint. You have to be your own advocate. I didn't take "no" for an answer. Thanks for the wishes ... looking forward to Christmas and New Years then heading home. I like to be away but always like to go home. Unbelievable .... so lucky to be able to go away. Have a great one!
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hi ladies,
Only seeing this topic for first time.
However, first I hope that everything went well for you cbwittt1970?? Second, as a former smoker (Non smoker since 2005) I know full well how difficult it was for me pre 2005 to pack in the smokes. However, I heard about this book called "stop smoking" by Alan Carr bought it and swear by it. For every smoker out there who genuinely wants to quit I would recommend his book. Hope this information helps someone. X
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Judo - glad to have you join us. Sorry to hear about your Mets earlier this year & I hope you're recovering from your November surgery. It's good that you found BCO. There are some wonderful folks on these threads.
Actually our last "stop smoking" post was only yesterday. Maybe the pages were messed up. We're a pretty active group - many of us have quit, but some are still practicing to quit. We all had our own methods of quitting, but are always interested in new ideas so thanks for the book recommend. Congratulations on 10 years for you!!! Personally it's been 8 years and 5 months and 8 days since I quit, after smoking for 40 years and trying to quit off & on during those years. As you can probably tell, I still identify as a smoker. I will always a be a smoker - just not one who smokes. Big difference. And most of us agree, it is the hardest thing any of us have ever done - bar none!!!
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Allan Carr's book is full of the reasons WHY you should quit. It breaks down everything thing you think you need cigarettes for but it doesn't give you a HOW TO quit.
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Ah- and there's the rub. Of course we are all bombarded with reasons why we should quit every day. But as these 403 pages testify, how is crucial. And something different or different combinations worked for each one of us. VJ, it is so great that you still offer your book of "how tos" free to any member of this thread.
Bosum - are you OK?
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VJ ... I so agree. I bought the book after hearing about it on the radio. Didn't help me quit!
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Hello Ladies. Judi glad to hear you are going to be done with meds .. xoxoxox enjoy the warm holidays .. although we have been in the 60's here in NY .. Guessing Global warming ,,,
Minus . I am also very Happy to hear of your great results .. you deserve that drink .. hugs
Bosom . I dont smoke but I know it helps people .. so just do what makes you feel better and help you sleep .. I am always here thinking of you big hugs ..
Hello to April , Shars , Vj, and Judo...
Been working a lot sorry im not here
xoxoxoxox
Lisamarie
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YAY Minus!! Have a "remove the port" party!! xoxo...so glad to hear such great news.
Well, my friend has decided to prolong his life by a little bit by having a tracheotomy tube inserted and a feeding tube put in. I am shocked he chose to do this knowing him but he must be terrified and has decided he is not ready to go. I am personally thrilled he is doing this but just surprised is all. He will always need help with his care from now on so will still be in a nursing/rehab facility and since he is in a wheelchair too, he will never be going home most likely according to one of his sons (although he has a supportive girlfriend and family so I hope he proves everyone wrong!!!)
Bosum, definitely get it all done asap as who knows what will happen with the ACA if the other guys get in to the White House. They are chomping at the bit to repeal the act and are suing lots of states to make it "go away" so who knows.
My husband's son just announced his engagement so we will have a wedding in the family next year. Very happy for him. He is with a lovely young woman who "gets him" so thrilled for them both.
lisamarie, this weather is VERY WEIRD that we are having in NY/NJ/CT tri-state area for sure! Saturday with the wind chill it was in the teens and twenties and by Christmas it will be in the 60's again...spring in December! LOL Love you and don't work too hard! xoxo
I love you all and wish you the best holidays if I don't get back on before Xmas! Merry Xmas ladies! (and whatever else you may celebrate of course!)
xoxoxo
Ho Ho HO!
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hi Minus Two, thanks for the welcome 😎. Doing well after removal of my ovaries, just receiving perjeta and herceptin (with zometa every six weeks) and taking my arimidex daily. Well done you on 8 years and 5 months off the smokes!! Am still learning how to navigate these threads!! Sometimes I read a post and go to reply but forget that the article I read was not the most up to date!! VJSL8 I understand where your coming from regarding Alan Carr but the reasons given in the book as to why we should quit is what motivated me to quit. Having said that everyone is different, so what is good for one does not necessarily ring true foranother. Happy Christmas everyone and please God 2016 will be a better year for all. X
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Motivation is the foundation to successfully quitting, however, even with the best intention, some people need more help in the "how to" department. Many of my clients have read it, yet are still unable to quit. My clients are often the ones who will say, "I've tried EVERYTHING to quit and nothing works. Without motivation, no one would quit, so it is essential but often it takes more than just motivation.
Carr's book has come up before and I have always said that I think it is excellent in what it does. For some once they have the right motivation, they find they own way to successful quit and don't need help from anyone else. I help those who have the desire but need help navigating their way.
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Bosum - regardless of the ridiculous political infighting, I can't believe that reconstruction will be denied. See quote & web site below. This federal law requires most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies to also cover breast reconstruction. It was signed into law on October 21, 1998. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfo...
I may be naive, but I sure hope this 1998 law can't be overturned. I just can't imagine you going through surgery right now with everything else in your life in such an uproar. Maybe that result would be a good thing for your progress, but if I remember, your surgeon said you had to quit smoking & he would test for nicotine. Even more stress!!!
April - my first reaction was "oh no". My mother "lived" with a feeding tube for 12 years and was never really "my mother" again. My best friend's husband had a feeding tube for almost 5 years after pancreatic cancer & hated every minute of it. Our personal experiences color our views so I hope you don't think I'm being too intrusive. Impending death can be frightening to many people. Will he have a permanent trach tube? Doesn't that mean he will not be able to talk? Oh my dear, what a trial. I agree, he must be afraid to let go. My thoughts will be with you & your friend. Also - congrats on the upcoming wedding. Do they live in the same part of the country? Or will you get a fun trip to the wedding?
LisaMarie - Hope your daughter has mellowed & you will get to see your grands for the holidays.
VJ - do you and the BF have any special plans?
I'm going to go to my niece's. It's a three hour drive so I will spend at least one night. It should be crazy with 1 nine month old baby, 8-10 adults, 6 house dogs (3 are Great Danes) and 3 horses. I'm not used to that much confusion. I should sleep well when I return!!
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MinusTwo--that law only applies to GROUPS. I had individual insurance and it was not covered by this law. The last stage of my reconstruction was denied by insurance and I fought and lost. It was through the Cancer legal defence fund (or something like that--a group that offers free legal advice to cancer patients in California) They researched and found that loophole. So if ACA is overturned, and we go back to the old system, then insurance companies will be able to discriminate again for those of us with individual policies. (what happened to the replace part of repeal and replace?).
BF is coming over for a long vacation but no special plans (he lives in LA and comes out every weekend until he able to retire). So just having him her for 10 days will be special.
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Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. Hopeful festival of lights. Happy Winter Solstice. Cooked much of the day preparing stuff to take to my niece's house. And wouldn't you know, major cooking is one of the times I really miss smoke breaks. I'm headed out in the morning for a couple of days with no electronic connection, so I'll check in when I get back. Thinking of all my friends here and wishing you a peaceful holiday.
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Merry Christmas to everyone. May you be blessed this season!
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