Stop Smoking Support Thread
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Sorry MinusTwo..I thought I did. Duh. It's actually called Smoke Free. It was the first app that came up when I searched, it's free (although you can get more bells and whistles if you upgrade to Smoke Free Pro which is pay for).
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Happy Great American Smoke-out to everyone. This is one of my first smoke-outs in 1991;
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VJ, you look like a kid! All rosy cheeked and ready to be smoke free which I know you have been for a very long time. How many years now?
Leslie, HIGH FIVE on the smoke free hours/days. Before you know it, they turn into weeks..months...years!
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Thanks April. I'm into day 5 now, and guess what? Well, I had my port put in yesterday and I was so busy dealing with the pain that I forgot to change my patch last night! I'm still wearing the same one I put on Wednesday at 5pm. lol So far so good this morning.
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Yay!
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Leslie - how did the port placement go? I've forgotten, did you already started chemo before the port? Or when do you start? I loved my port - especially since I too had Herceptin for HER2+. My port was in for over 3 years. If you haven't already joined a current chemo thread here, I found it very helpful to go through the journey with others in the same position.
Great news about the 5 days.
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Leslie: Below are some good tips for getting through chemo.
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Thanks MinusTwo. Yes, I had my first chemo without the port on Nov 2, and I'm part of the November chemo group on here too. I was really, REALLY sore last night. It's sore today, but livable. I'm glad I have it and won't have to be stuck as often with needles now. I'm full of holes from the past month! lol
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Good morning everyone. I have been on this breast cancer roller coaster for 11 months now. Sort of tried to quit smoking a few times and always gave in. Had bilat mastectomy and tissue expanders placed in June. I have been thru chemo, radiation and still on Herceptin. I am supposed to have exchange to implants in March. My plastic surgeon insists I be quit smoking 30 days before exchange. Requires a 250$ non refundable deposit and surgery cancellation if I fail nicotine test before surgery. I understand it will help my recovery blaa blaa blaa. I also understand it is really about the surgeons outcomes more than it is about mine. Honestly I am sort of pissed at being told what to do with my body after all i have been thru this year! I dont need any more lectures believe me! i am a grown woman and have been in healthcare for over 20 years. I know this is a support group and my comments are probably not supporting anyone. i just feel like i need to express those feelings to someone who might understand. i feel like i dont have any control or choices in my life or MY body. oh boy now that I got that out, I would like to say that deep in my heart I really DO want to quit smoking! I want to feel the best that I can, I want to not worry about going places and when I might get to smoke, I want to smell good all the time, I dont really want food to taste better as I lost 35 pounds on chemo but thats beside the point. I know I need to make this decision because I want to and not because I feel like I am being forced into it. Truely my PS is great and took extra time to talk to me about quitting and ideas to help but still, Is it just me or was anyone else pissed off? hmmm gotta get my mind right to really tackle this thing. Thanks for listening.
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Welcome Mena. Don't worry about sounding negative, you are working it all through in your head as we all have. I still haven't told my mom I'm in the process of quitting because I KNOW she will start harping on it, then I will go light up just to prove her wrong. I'm doing what I'm doing for me at the moment and I don't want to hear about it from anyone. I get it. I hate being told what to do. Was your doctor willing to give you champix or something in order to do it? Can you put it in your head as you need to just stop for 2 months (or whatever) in order to get the surgery/heal and then you can revisit it in your head? Read through the last few pages of this thread. There are some wonderful tips there. Bottom line though? You need to do it when YOU are ready. Not because someone else is.
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Mena - oh yes, we all get your rant and welcome your posting. Support is about the good, the bad & the ugly of this horrible mountain to climb - and finding others who have been there & understand. There are folks here who have made it (at least for today - and it is a day by day thing) and some who are still trying. I promise you, WE WON'T JUDGE. Without a doubt, quitting smoking (all the times I did it) was the hardest thing I ever tackled. As Leslie said, I did not tell anyone I was trying to quit until I made it. In fact I didn't quit until after Mother died. I never could have held up to all the "oh you are so wonderful, I knew you could do it" notes.
I was fortunate that I didn't have to quit after a cancer diagnosis or during treatment. I quit because I was sliding into osteoporosis and I found out smoking - and my beloved cokes - were both a major contributors to bone loss. My worst nightmare at the time (before I discovered cancer) was to break a hip & end up in a nursing home for the rest of my life. When I quit, and for at least a year after that I told everyone that if I was ever diagnosed with a life threatening disease, the first thing I would do would be to buy a pack of smokes. Funny that I never thought of my "promise" when the cancer diagnosis came along 4 years later until a friend asked me if I'd started smoking again.
Pissed off is a good definition. I was pissed off the whole time I was quitting, but I just didn't have a target. At least you can throw darts at a picture of you PS. In spite of the fact that I don't like big brother tactics either, the $250 deposit would have been an interesting motivator for me. But who knows back in my younger days if I would have quit just so I could finish the damn surgery & not have to pay the fee and then started right back up again just to spite "them".
So Mena - welcome. Come and rant & cry or kick & scream. Each of us had specific "helps" we used from Chantix to patches to e-smokes. I know VJ will let you know about her book offer or you can PM her directly. We're always ready to listen or share. I will always be a smoker - just one who is not smoking - 9 years now!! Just for today I will not smoke.
Leslie - hope you're doing OK. I always found the weekends hardest.
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Sorry for the length - but I have to add - HEY LisaMarie, how are you doing girl?
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I'm surviving MinusTwo. In 5 more hours, it will be one week since I had one. I have to tell you, I really, really want to to buy a pack RIGHT NOW. but it's cold and icky out, I don't wanna put my wig on cause I don't want to walk into the store looking like a cancer patient to get them. I keep telling myself, for right now, I will make it until my chemo appt on Wednesday. I will get this round as a "non-smoker". After I get through this round my brain and I will have another conversation. Can't promise I'm going to make it long term yet, but right now I'm going by short term goals and then make my next decision. Part of me wants one. Part of me says hey stupid, you have made it a week now....do you really want to have to do this week over again???? We will see. For today, for right now, I will not smoke.
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Glad you are hanging in there Leslie. Good luck.
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Thank You Minustwo and Leslie! So glad someone understands! I have welbutrin that was given to me at my very first oncology appointment after my sister (ex-smoker) asked my doctor to give it to me.... grrrrr....... !!!!! Then proceeded to lecture me in the parking lot after that appointment on how I had to take it and quit smoking! Well of course I never took the pills! I sure showed her! She was trying to help I know that, I was overwhelmed with just getting the big C diagnosis and all and a bit nervous to say the least. Still pissed and ranting apparently, dang it. I might get that welbutrin out and give it a try. I think i will pick a day after Thanksgiving and just do it. I think thats a good idea not to tell anyone. I dont think I will talk to anyone about except you girls. Thanks again, I promise to find that good attitude, I know I left it around here somewhere.
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Hi Ladies , I am sorry to make everyone worry .. I am okay . I got my own place and car .. so ive ben working so much the landlord asked me the other day if i live here , yes to sleep and shower .. although I feel as if I have no life I do line dance for 2 hours each sunday ... the only fun in my life .. still smoke free 2 years .. cannot believe it myself so to the new girls out there you got this ... you can do anything .. I smoked for 25 years maybe more and smoked marlboro reds .. never imagined I could quit and ask any of these ladies here about my attempts and failures .. then one day it happend .. so keep on going never give up...
I miss you Bosom ... I miss you Minus , I miss you April ,,, I miss you Judi ,,, I miss you VJ ..
Sorry its not much just a hello to say I am okay ..
xoxoxoxoxo
Lisamarie .
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Thanks for the reminder MinusTwo -- I will send anyone, new or old, on this list a PDF copy of my my book, "How to Win at Quitting Smoking". Just send me PM with an email address. No gimmicks, no spam.
There is also a workbook that goes with it on my website: VJSleight.com (the one on the website, has a watermark, let me know if you'd like a clean copy.) There are also all the slides from my presentations about smoking on the download page, and a couple of videos. (There is nothing for sale, I'm not trying to get anyone to buy anything, just so you know.)
For those of you who don't know, I am a former smoker. I had quit 3 months before my first diagnosis in 1987. I relapsed while I was going through chemo. I started doing cessation classes for the American Cancer Society as a volunteer as a way to not relapse. Eventually I went back to school and got my Masters Degree in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine and was trained at the Mayo Clinic as a tobacco treatment specialist. So while I do have info in my book about medications, most of it is about the behavioral change, how to increase motivation, how to make a plan, how to handle withdrawals and how to not relapse. A large cancer center back east is using my book in their cessation classes. So it is not about any one method to quit but about how to figure out what works for you. (so many cessation books are from former smokers which out line their "method" --every method will work for some, NO method will work for everyone.)
Allan Carr also has a great book on motivation to quit -- The easy way to quit smoking. It takes every reason why you think you want to smoke and tears it apart. Doesn't tell you how to quit, only why you should. My book goes the next step and gives you practical ideas of what you can do to change into a former smoker.
Congratulations LisaMarie on two years!!!!! I remember when you were still struggling and just look how great you are doing now!!!
Next week I am going to Washington DC to speak as a cancer patient to the insurance industry of how insurance affects our cancer journey. The day after I get back, I'm having foot surgery. When this gig came up, I thought about postponing the surgery but the doctor said then it wouldn't happen until next year and I'm afraid I won't have insurance next year since I rely on the ACA for insurance. I was so hoping that the plan to lower the Medicare age to 55 would move forward.
I hope everyone has a joy filled week, VJ
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VJ - hooray for you speaking as our advocate in Washington. You are such a positive force. Boo for the foot surgery but I understand why you want to get it taken care of now. We'll expect you to be checking in with us.
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lisamarie, Line dance sounds like so much fun! I used to dance all the time. Its wonderful exercise. My husband does not dance, so I haven't in years. I am going to look into line dancing. Maybe there is a group near me. Thanks for the idea.
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Hi LisaMarie!! Great to hear from you. You sound crazy busy these days but am really happy you checked in. Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving! xoxox
VJ, you really are a great advocate and I am so happy you stay a part of this thread. Your advice is always valuable.
To all of you, Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with family and friends and enjoy the wonderful food! xoxo
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Leslie - hope your chemo appt goes well today. Let us know.
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Hey MinusTwo. Chemo went fine today; no surprises. I told her I was on day 10 without a smoke, she asked me how I felt about it...said I'd love to go buy a pack right now, but I won't. It's amazing. I'm doing pretty well when I'm home, but going to get gas the other day? I had to seriously force myself to buy at the pump so I didn't go in to buy some. Or coming home from the hospital today, I made sure I didn't pass the store because I would have stopped if I did. Geez! I wish I was one of those people that could just have one once in a while. It would be great to just have one and then not for a few weeks again. I'm not that person. If I have a pack, I'll keep smoking until they are gone.
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Yup Leslie. I have wished many times I could just enjoy one occasionally. Not for me either.
I keep reading more & more articles Vitamin D as a new wonder 'drug'. In addition to the skin & the eyes, the latest report was that women with high levels of D have better chances with breast cancer. I spent so much time in the sun in CA, NM and TX, that I should have a lifetime supply. At least my skin cancers attest to my prolonged exposure. I have my 6 month MO visit next month and requested Vit D testing as a part of the panel.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I was going to cook a pork roast all for myself but got a toothache & discovered Monday thatI need a root canal. I'm on antibiotics but still haven't figured out if I can chew, so I'll either cook the pork or freeze it and have scrambled eggs. Root canal will be the Monday after Thanksgiving. Ugh.
If you're traveling, be careful & have fun.
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Root Canal! That sucks MinusTwo! Especially over your Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you are feeling well enough to enjoy your roast.
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Minus sorry about the root canal ...
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone ... I am working .. but its all good ..
Mena you are welcome , I love line dancing ... im still trying to get it right .. In my class its is mostly women .. some men but not much .. i dont have a man in my life , you dont need one to do it .. xoxoxox
Lisamarie
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Hello Ladies , seems everyone is so quiet .. I am so sorry I am so busy working I don't even have time for myself .. and that is bad .. I did however manage a few minutes to get my eyebrows waxed lol ... I hope this note finds all of you in good health .. I sure miss you all so much ..
Oh so I decided I would like to send out Christmas Cards to everyone , so if you would like one just pm me your address ..
Minus, Judi , April, Bosom, xoxoxoxox
and to all the newbies hoping your all still hanging in there... and if you stumble get right back up and try again ..
Lisamarie
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LisaMarie - aren't you a sweetie. Are you sending email cards so you want email addresses? I'm seriously thinking of switching this year to email letters instead of USPS.
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Minus , I dont know how to do email cards . I was just going to send them thru USPS .. love ya
xoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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Leslie - how are you doing after the holiday? Thinking of you.
Mena ???
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So cooking Thanksgiving dinner was weird. For a long day of chopping I always had a cigarette going on in the ash tray on the other side of the sink from where I was working. About 1/2 way through my preparations, I actually reached for my smoke. Oops - it's been 9 years. Where did that come from?So - "just for today" - I didn't smoke but i sure wanted one. Luckily it was a brief longing and I forgot about it in short order. Then I woke up this morning dreaming I was sitting on the floor of my parents big coat closet - hidden away & puffing away. I've decided it must be the cold weather triggering these weird things.
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