Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
-
(((Bosum))) Hopefully this too shall pass.
Stay warm and sane everyone! xo
0 -
Most women would STILL opt for the old stinky dog....LOL Ok, maybe that was a stretch but I sure do miss my Jake. He was the best cuddler dog ever and he was a big boy...over 90 lbs! He thought he was a lap dog though.
My hubby has bronchitis so no cuddling with him tonight. I have vaporizer going and chicken soup..poor guy.
0 -
Bosum - I bought a Presto Heat Dish last year to supplement central heat. I LOVE sitting in front of it and pretending it's a fire place. It doesn't have a fan, but is sure toasty warm for the immediate surrounding area.
0 -
Hi girls!!! So happy to see you still here. 😊 I don't stop by too often but find myself lurking here lately. I am now 4 1/2 years smoke free (except one cig when my mom died). I remember counting the weeks in the beginning. You know, it was one of the hardest things I ever did and that keeps me from going back. So frustrating that I still miss it sometimes. Did we ruin ourselves for life? I don't know. So happy to see you all here.
0 -
Oh Beckers - how great to see you. Congrats on the 4-1/2 years. Are you still in OK? Except for VJ we are the only one's West of the Mississippi.
0 -
I am in Oklahoma still. It is home now. I left Cali for good two years ago after Mom died. Still working at zoo part time and just getting back to medical field again. Where are you? Is Judi still here?
0 -
Great that you're still enjoying the zoo. Hope it wasn't too cold for the animals last weekend. It sounds interesting that you're getting back into the medical field. Judi is in Florida on winter "break" right now and taking a hiatus from the boards. She's very much enjoying retirement. I'm still in Houston & huddling under a quilt right now. Who can figure - 24 degrees last Saturday, 80 degrees this Thursday. I hope to make a West Coast trip in the spring.
I think we're all still talking about a get-together in 2024 somewhere back east.
0 -
dear minus two. I posted in error as I was concerned. I have had brain tumor and extra concered hence like most people just asking for maybe reassurance. Im not familiar with forums and new to it. Thanks and keep well. Will remove from site.
0 -
Ann-Jane: Please do check with your doctors to determine if you have any breast issues that might be of concern. We wish you well should you attempt to quit smoking.
0 -
Beckers .... I am so excited to see you .... I hope I did not miss you ... anyway Great to see you xoxoxoxxo
Lisamarie
0 -
Hi Lisa Marie! I'm a few days late responding. How's your quit??
So nice to see you guys!! Minus Two, I was just in Houston on layover. Get together would be fun. It would be nice to meet you all. I will try to keep in better touch.
0 -
Oh yes, Beckers - please do. I'm not that far from the airport. And since I'm retired I can come meet you most anytime. My son is a pilot so I'm used to picking up people at airport for lunch or dinner & then dropping them off again. We can have a signal, like wearing a red carnation.
I had so much fun last spring in northern CA visiting people from my past. And I hope to go Oregon & Washington in the spring and see more friends from the 70's. I've met BCO people in Boston and in Phoenix, and others who have come to Houston for MD Anderson or just going through. It's always fun to put a face to a name.
0 -
Beckers , I am so glad to see you . I have been doing really good .. been quit over 2 years now and I cannot believe that I am ... But everyday is a new adventure . I just work 2 jobs and hang in there ... I am so excited about one day meeting everyone as well.. what a great idea red carnations Minus ... Bosom don't give up .. your time will come .. I know u are tired of hearing that but the girls here always told me the same and not to beat myself up about the slips over and over and I was so sure I would not stop ever .. so trust me your time will come .. Love you .. hugs .. I am currently on a Mission .. I used to live in Florida 7 years ago in March .. I am saving all my extra money and moving back next year .. I have goals to look forward to ... I eventually want to get back into the nursing program at least for my LPN ... to retire ya know .. so back to Florida before im 50 feels good .. I will be 49 when I leave NY .. I will be traveling to Charlotte at the end of Feb for my Granddaughter Gianna's first Birthday for the weekend ... excited .. If there is anything I love about my life today it is being a Grandma... I just adore all aspects of it ....The other thing I have been playing around with is calling back the plastic surgeon .. I am not sure if these implants need to come out or what ... I am in constant pain with them and they feel so tight like someone is squeezing me all the time .. I try not to think of it but It's hard when it keeps on hurting ... and I am not sure that he will see me since I have not seen him in a couple years since the last surgery .. besides that he never took the insurance the state gave me for the cancer .. so I guess he did this all out of the kindness of his heart and I hate to complain . I have good insurance now through the healthcare workers union ... but I am not sure it will cover recon gues I need to get on the phone and stop working so much ... Anyway boy I have rambled so much . I a sorry ..
A quick shout out to my girls ... Minus, Bosom , Judy, Beckers, April, Vj.... and all the new ladies .. Hugs and Love to all
Lisamarie
0 -
Bosum - I read about FamilyTree. Scary stuff. Glad your taking water PT. There's not a warm pool close to me or I would be in the water. Great for CIPN and for LE and easy on your joints. Sorry you feel your appearance in a bathing suit is disappointing. Obviously at least one guy didn't think you looked too weird. Even if you weren't interested in him that's got to be an ego boost. And yes, we're in the middle of troubled times with health insurance. I hope cooler heads will prevail and realize that we can't yank insurance away from people w/o having a replacement plan ready.
As for the smoking - DO NOT beat yourself up. You will quit when the time is right for YOU. Did you know there is a new Chantix product out now? I haven't researched but apparently it stretches out the 'quit time' - maybe so you can become accustomed to learning new coping habits?
VJ - do you know anything about this?
LisaMarie - thanks for the long post. It's nice to catch up on your life. And yes, I remember when you were posting regularly that you'd slipped again & had a smoke. Two years is great and you've really turned your life around. Congratulations on your hard work and your goals. How is your Mother by the way? Can you even talk to her with that creep living there? Yes, recon should be covered under the Women's Health Act of 1998. You shouldn't have to live with pain. Since you have insurance, get yourself to a doctor girl.
0 -
Chantix is still the same, they just changed the instructions. Before you were to quit after taking it for a week, they have just extended the time period where you can still take it and still smoke, up to 35 days. The FDA also removed the black box label from both chantix and bupropion in december.
Today I went to a Save Our Healthcare rally sponsored by my representative from the House. It was packed. His message was --Don't agonize, organize. I depend on the ACA for insurance too and I would be devastated if it was repealed without an adequate replacement. I have always been an activist for tobacco and cancer issues, now it's about healthcare too. I'm making phone calls, writing letters, reaching out to different organizations to tell my story of why the ACA is important to me. On my FB page, I am doing an "My action for today is:......." . I don't feel as one person I make much of a difference but like snowflakes added together make an avalanche.
0 -
OK April - I have to apologize again for not recognizing you on the dinner thread. My bad. I like your new avatar.
VJ - I like the snowflake analogy. I'm just feeling slightly melted. But still hoping for the best.
0 -
Hello Bosom.... Glad to see you xoxoxo
I miss you all so very much .. Minus , VJ, April , Judi ...
Me just working working working ...
hanging at home tonight though ... expecting as Nor Easter ...
Hope everyone is well..
Lots of Love
Lisamarie
0 -
I read an interesting 'snippet' this week. I cut it out, but now I'm not sure where to give proper credit. Well, here you go.
"If you're determined to ditch a bad habit in 2017, decide now what you'll replace it with. Studies show that substituting 10 slow, deep breaths for a cigarette can be more effective at helping you quit than just saying no."
I've been trying to catch up on paperwork all day so my neck & shoulders are really tight. I have to complete one more project before I quit for the day. Wednesday I go back to the RO and the LE PT for an evaluation of my lymphedema and probably more radiation fibrosis. The gift that keeps on giving!!.
0 -
"If you're determined to ditch a bad habit in 2017, decide now what you'll replace it with. Studies show that substituting 10 slow, deep breaths for a cigarette can be more effective at helping you quit than just saying no."
I totally agree with that because it is how our brain works. Smoking is doing something that is an active behavior --brain is used to doing an activity. Too many people want to quit using their willpower --which is just to resist and do nothing. Brain doesn't want to resist, brain wants to do something and if you don't have a substitution, brain will default to smoking.
0 -
Hi Ladies ... just stopping by to say Hello .... I really miss this thread and reading and talking to everyone .... seems very quiet here .. Hope all are ok
xoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
0 -
Hi Lisamarie! Hope all is well with you. I have been kind of busy but stopping by to say hello.
Hope all of you are well and hope Judi is enjoying her time in FL! Retirement....probably not in the cards for me for a while. I can't afford to be without insurance and won't qualify for Medicare until age 65 (and who even knows if we will be covered then with all that is happening) so off to work I go.
xoxo
0 -
I miss hearing from everyone too. Good to see you LisaMarie and April.
0 -
Hi April and Minus ...
I know I am not here much at all .. I try to get a message across every once in a while i cannot believe I am 2 and 1/2 years now smoke free what a blessing and again , I don't believe I could have done it without the support I get on here .
I am also looking at moving to Florida within one year . I picked up extra days at work . and you know I am working 2 jobs .. I am trying to save my money except for rent , car pymnt , car insurance , phone ... anyway I am really trying . I did just get a offer to buy a manufactured home , a small one in a retirement community for a smal amount of 35K ... I have been working on my credit but not sure I would get the loan .. I dont believe that will come around again . so I am feeling a but bummed ...I am planning on my retirement in Florida .. I am actually planning to be there before then . I just applied for reciprocity on my nursing licence but NY wont give the fingerprint stuff to another state do I have to pay 45 to have them done then another 45 to have them scanned digitally and sent to florida before they will grant me reciprocity .. I am also taking a med tech class online ... Anyway basically working 7 days a week ... going for the goals ..
I had an eye doctor appt yesterday and found out I need bifocals so .. i am now officially a Grandma ha ha .. the other thing they did say that kinda scares me and I need to go to a specialist is she said it looks like I have Gaucoma in my right eye so I need to go to a specialist .. other than that I am doing great ..
I miss you all so much ..
xoxoxoxoxxo
lots of Love
Lisa Marie
0 -
Lisamarie -- don't be afraid of glaucoma, I've had it for over 20 years. I take two different eye drops. It is controllable. So glad to hear you are 2.5 years smoke-free, think of how much money you have saved in that time!! Take care.
0 -
Ladies
I to am having a terrible time quitting, I know I have to and have even come to the point where I don't like the smell at all .Angry with myself for not being able to totally quit yet. Since Dx I have cut way back and smoke less then half what I use to. When I do lite up, I will only smoke maybe half off that and put it out , but yet the pull to smoke is still there . I have not tried any patches or anything yet. Gona talk to my ON next week to make sure patches will not mess with my Chemo. I just keep praying god gives me the strength and courage to get through all this and live to see my grandbabies grow up.
0 -
Hi Honey - welcome. No, no, no - don't beat yourself up. I'm sure the chemo's doing a good enough job at that. As any of us will tell you, quitting is probably the hardest thing we have ever done. Stress seems to make it harder, so again it's certainly understandable while you're in treatment. And yes, do talk to your MO before adding any stop-smoking meds.
Good for you - cutting back. I had a friend once who cut every cigarette in half when she first opened a pack. Set some areas where you ban smoking - like in the car or if you still smoke in the house, start allowing only one room for smoking & then move to only the garage or porch. It's pretty hard to have fun smoking outside in the winter. Also set some times that you will no longer smoke - like on the phone, or with a cup of coffee. I actually had to stop drinking for a couple of months since it was such a trigger for me. If you're married, hopefully your partner doesn't still smoke. That makes it even harder - but it can be done. LisaMarie will be along to tell you that. Anyway - identify the trigger points that make you want to smoke and start trying to eliminate them - one at a time. After a few days or a week, eliminate another one. Yes, some people quit cold turkey but I couldn't have done that. And find something that satisfies the hand to mouth movement. I ate tons of sunflower seeds. Hand up, seed in, hand down, crack shell, hand up, remove shell, hand down. Repeat. The other thing I did was pound out of my house and walk around the block every time I wanted to smoke. I took lots of walks!!!
Most of all - feel free to come here & rant or scream or pull your hair out. We people who have quit and people who are still trying. And people who are trying again. It took many of us 5 or 6 times to get it accomplished. I will never be a Non-Smoker. I am just a smoker who no longer smokes - and it will be 10 years for me this summer. So just for today, I will not smoke.
0 -
LisaMarie - I like the sound of your retirement plans. And VJ is absolutely right, think of all the money you are saving by not smoking. Are you looking at somewhere in particular in FL? If I remember, you had an uncle there didn't you? I'm amazed at all you are doing. Do you talk to your mother or is that rude guy still blocking your access?
VJ - thanks for the tips about glaucoma. I wouldn't have know it was that controllable.
April - I hear you about working. Wouldn't it be nice if our kids struck oil or won the lottery & decided to take care of us in the manner in which we'd like to become accustomed.
0 -
Honey , I totally understand where yo are at this point . It took me mant many times to quit , I'd keep posting how I was a failure and I couldnt do this . I would beat myself up .. I did Chantix and for me it worked wonders , but even on that I could not shake the first morning smoke .. crazy as it is . I held on to that darn smoke for a long time ... and now it seems you can smoke longer on chantix than before so that is good . I thinkl of it as a wonder drug .. and one day I just thought this one smoke is so not worth it , I am so sick of smoking and I just stopped.. That was 2 and 1/2 years ago . and today I hate the smell and the thought of smoking . I honestly dont think of it much .. in the beginning I used to thinl about it and want to smoke again but , for now I dont . hang in there .. keep coming and keep doing what you are doing ... it gets better and you will do it when u are ready .. there are a great bunch of ladies here ... glad you stopped by ..
hugs
xoxoxoxxo
Lisa marie
0 -
Minus ,
I did have an uncle there .. he passed away a few months after my son .. what a crazy year that was . I am going to Orlando . I lived there for 10 years before and I have lots of friends .. so that is why I decided to o back .. besides I love Florida .. anyway Gotta get to work .. Love ya and Miss you ..
I miss you all Bosom , April , VJ , Judi
HUgs Lisa Marie
0 -
hello all,
Newly diagnosed and have thought about quitting before but now is the time. MinusTwo recommended I come to this group. Reading up on all the hints. So far, I can't quit cold turkey. Working on other things like only taking 2 with me when I go somewhere, that way I am not smoking in the car or at least not as much.
Trying to substitute something for smoking when I go have my alone time on my back porch (where I go to smoke), like doing deep breathes or centering prayer.
Got a vapor with very low nicotine that taste like coffee to help with the oral/action of smoking but not taste like cigarettes so I can wean myself off.
Anyway, wanting to smoke to deal with this but knowing it is not what I need for my health.
Thanks for listening and having this great forum.
0
