Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Sorry Ladies for the long post. I will try to knock that off, lol, or break it down to a few posts.
Jancie, you just totally cracked me up!!!! I love it as we have been a fun bunch in the past and that fits us. Love the Waiting to Exhale too.
Candie, hang in there!!!! I know about your hip surgery and I wish you well. Here is a thought about why not to smoke, my hip surgery seemed to take forever to recover and that really sucked because it was more painful than any of my BC surgeries. I think I hurt pretty good for 5-6 months, they had told me about 2-3 months. So I can't help to think that if I did not smoke, my recovery would of been shorter and less painful. One bit of advice, go with the strongest pain meds and you can also get the lighter ones too. Sending you positive thoughts to you.
Best wishes all,
Janet0 -
Told ya I would be breaking it up.
Candie, I will always be a smoke at heart. That's why when I quit, I will still be here posting so I don't slip like the last time hopefully.
Mich, good luck to you. Keep posting and thanks for your input! This has been going on for a while and it started off with another gal who was one of us getting angry and posting stuff about us on another thread. And it wasn't nice. So no worries KK69z, things can get mixed up when not face to face.
Malleme, I love hot baths, that has been helping me to relax. Ativan fan here and antidepressants.
Cleo, so glad you are back to posting. I wish you well and you are welcome to come to Denver anytime, have a free place to stay with me while you are checking out the city!
Mimi, hope you are doing okay!!
Welga, you rock. Glad you are here.
The rest of you, have a great night!
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Welcome to ALL the newbies!!! It is so nice to see this thread so active again...
Candie...I am with you on the I LIKED SMOKING!!! I DO Miss it...it was a part of my life for long, long time! 205 days today and still no cigs!!!
Janzin...the main reason I was able to quit this time around is because I wanted every opportunity for speedy healing and knew that I smoking could prolong the healing process...add to that Webwriter's information about chemo being less effective and I told my hubby "NO WAY IN HELL was I going to go through chemo for only partial benefit"...weather it is true or not that information was what I needed to be able to mentally let go of my cig's...
Each of us are different, smoke for different reasons and will have different 'aaaahhh' moments where you will too will be able to say 'goodbye' to cig's...
Best wishes to everyone on their successes, attempts and for just plain thinking about
HUGS!!
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Hi ladies I'm still trying to kick the butt habit here. I'm down to a whopping 2 a day....Woo Hoo!!! Maybe in a few more days I won't need to 2 at all. I'm hoping to lay them completely down after I see the RAD onc and get some of that stress behind me. I've decided one step at a time. My plate was to full and I was doing to much at once. I was starting to get a little depressed which is funny because it was coming a month after my dx and surgery. Go figure. I'm feeling better now. So, one day at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither shall recovery from BC be or stopping the smoking habit.
To all that have quit and doing well... a double Woo Hoo!!!!! Keep going!!! Your bodies and families love you.
For those of you like me still trying to kick it... we will get through and achieve our goal it just may take us a little longer than we originally planned.
Hope everyone had a great Monday!!
Renee
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I'm down to 5-6 ciggies a day from nearly a pack and I can't do it. I can't cross over that last bridge. I like to smoke...it relaxes me and calms me down. I can't do it even tho I know I should...ugghhhh.
I have even put off starting tamoxifen because I heard of the clot risk but I know I can't postpone it forever.
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Sorry for the triple post.
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Sorry for the triple post. I was having connectivity issues.
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WAY to GO Mimi!! You are doing great
Hi Rainbow...That's great that you have gotten down to 5/6 after being a pack a dayer. You can do it...Be gentle with yourself.
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Good going Mimi and Rainbow and the rest. Stopping those last few a day are the hardest. Its like throwing you out in the middle of the ocean with no life jacket. I had tried quitting like that too, but I couldn't do it that way. Hope you's can. Just don't give up. You's came to far.
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Yea Mimi!!!! 2 a day is AWESOME progress!!!
Rainbow - Welcome!!!! Congrat's on 5-6 per day!!!
kk692 - OMG, I told my DH I felt like was in the middle of the ocean without a life raft so many times during the first few months of quiting...Cold turkey is HARD. I hope you find what works for you soon!
I am starting my Tamoxifen tonight...terrified of the SE's but I have been putting it off for 6 weeks and need to bite the bullet...
OK I have a funny story: I got home from work last night and could not get warm. I cranked up the heater, put on comfy pj's and curled up in my recliner with my blanket and still felt chilled. I finally tucked my arms under the covers and wrapped my arms around my body and realized MY FOOBS were COLD to the touch!!! Although mentally I understood that the foobs would not generate heat since they are nothing but a sack of gell...it was still pretty freaky! When I told my boss this morning she said..."Brings a whole new meaning next time DH says he's going to grab a cold one"
Have a great night all!
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O2Bhealthy, that is so awesome! I actually did not have cigs for 3 days after my hip surgery but the first thing I did when I got home was lit up and almost got sick. I tried the gum but wasn't fully ready. Someone told me about the inhalers but I am not sure about that one as I may get addicted to fake cigs. Hmmmmmm... HAHAHA on your funny story!
Ladies, I have heard that those inhalers have helped some. I know it's not good for those going through recovery. I might try that and will let you know about it.
Mimi, 2 is awesome!!! Keep it up, I have faith in you that you will quit! I am still working it as I know if I don't, than I won't. Just like you said, it may take as longer or even less.
Welcome Rainbow!!!! Like your name, how did you come up with it? 5-6 cigs is awesome. Every bit counts. I have heard that a pack a day could add around 20 hours of bad to your recoveries. I should of kept that link. I am trying to cut down too. Just counted out 10 cigs for tomorrow and will take away one everyday. They say when you are ready you will pick a quit day, but everyone is different and some do it without a quit day. Good luck to you, let us know how you are doing and what works for you.
Cleo and Candie, so good to see you both posting again. Will pm you two.
Nadine and Pantufas, I know you haven't been reading but we miss you!
Reach out to the rest of you later!!!
Let's be the BC Butt Kickers!!!
Janet
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Candie, I hope you are feeling okay. You have an amazing story with your quit smoking during an impossible time. I would love to hear your story as I think it will inspire us! That it can be done during the worst of BC. You are awesome!
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Welga and Jancie, hope you are still working it. So much to go for, money, health, white teeth, clean hair.
I can feel myself becoming a slave to cigs again. The gotta have feeling after dinner and can I go without for a certain amount of hours. I just started back about 2 1/2 years ago and I remembered one of the things I loved about being a non smoking was freedom to do whatever without the craving tugging at me all the time. I told myself I would quit before I became a hardcore salve to them again. In the past I saw Green Mile at home because it was too long to go without a cig, and I don't want to ever go there again.
Will be putting a good work day in and thinking about you all. I know one of the biggest reason why I smoke is my fears. And working helps bring that fear down. Maybe I should get a head check, lol, I know I am a nut!
Hang in there ladies, never give up and keep working it.
Good day all,
Janet
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o2bhealthy: Any way you quit is hard. I did quit back on 8/5/08 cold turkey, the day I started my tamoxifen. Funny thing is, I don't miss them at all. I know about the first month I did think about them like after I ate or waiting for something to get done. And I''d have a smoke while waiting. But its like I never smoked now. My husband still smokes, outside only and I can't stand the smell. I wish he would quit too, but that will never happen.
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kk69Z
Dont' worry about your post that you tought did not come out right, like said here before, sometimes we post meaning one thing and it's read otherwise can be confusing it has happened to me on occasions. Anyways congrats on your quitting, lucky girl.candie1971
yes I also wish it was not so expensive and dangerous to smoke, I understand about missing it at times, that's what happened to me when I stopped for 7 moths, saying to myself ''will this ever end''
maybe if I had stuck longer like you today I would not have to go through the struggle again. Don't give in you have gone a long way .Wishing you a easy and fast recovery from you upcoming operation.janzin: yes still working at it slowly cutting down, I too had a tought about trying the inhalers, they are not covered by our program here, will maybe go for it anyway. Wish you well on your next try so you can go back to feeling like your last quit about the freedom. The greatest help for me last time I quit was eating sunflower seed (the one with the hull) all day long, I was doing contest with freinds who could ''de hull'' them the fastes I always won as I was doing it all day long. Now this time does not work as well as I get a burning stomach if I eat that much. Gotta find a nother trick.
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Hope all you wonderful ladies that are like me and trying to quit are doing well. I've been down all day, even had some emotional tearful episodes. I saw my RADs onc for the 1st time today and he told me that I will have to have at least 38 minimal treatments and because my surgeon only got a 1 mm clear margin, I have to have the radiation at a higher level than he usually gives. I believe he said he usually gives 60 and I will be gettin 72.4. He told me not to wear a bra and I told him he was crazy that I work in the public and I am a director of nursing I have to wear one, so he told me to check on a radiation bra or a really good sports bra that fastens in the front and that I should not wear one at all when I am home. Then I went back this afternoon for my tatts and simulation. They will formulate my treatment plan and I will start my treatments next Tues. or Weds. So needless to say the smokes came out. Sorry girls!!! :=) Like I said really bad day!!
Renee
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Hey Renee...sounds like you had a pretty shi&&y day. Sory to hear about your rads news and that you hit the smokes today, but hoping you can get through this ok and get back on the wagon tomorrow.
Hope tomorrow is a better day for you:)
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Renne,
It's understandable, stress is the thing that got me back on, but maybe when this will be over, things will get easier.
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Renee - I went through rads. It was ok. I did ditch my bra after 2 weeks. I see that you are a director of nursing (awesome!) - so you can get a laugh out of this one. I wore scrubs tops for over 8 weeks. I wore one size bigger than I normally get in all sorts of cute animal patterns although I do have a Dr. Suess one that I LOVE! I am a normal B cup which loved it when my breast got swollen to a large B/small C but back to the scrubs - nobody could tell I wasn't wearing a bra because the material was thick enough and so much color/pattern it was impossible to tell.
I know that in many hospitals everyone wears just a plain color - color based on what your position you are in, what kind of ward, etc. but I would think they would allow you to make an exception in your case and wear some really cool ones.
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Jancie - Unfortunately I work in an Assisted Living and since I am management I don't wear scrubs, it's strictly street clothes for me. :=) I have never liked scrubs anyway. Many people do but I wore them for about 23 yrs and got pretty sick of them. LOL!! so I am looking for some kind of radiation bra or front fastening soft sports bra. Haven't had any luck on the net so far as I really can't afford 70.00 a pop for a bra and don't want the kind that you pull over your head that might be painful if I got a good burn? LOL!!! I love my job and the elderly people I work with everyday. A lot of them know and so do their families and they have been awesome and so very supportive through my ordeal with BC so far. It's amazing how much support they have offered, phone calls and cards. They are super sweet.
Hope ya'll are having a great day.
Renee
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Great to see everyone posting again! I go to San Diego on the Dec 23 so I will try to quit then as my whole family does not smoke. My nephews and nieces tell me I stink and I have yellow teeth. Brutal honesty of a child, lol.
Mimi, you can always pm me when you are depressed. Hang in there!! Will post some pics to cheer you all up. I had to go without a bra during my nipple surgery and there are clothes that hide it better. Good luck!
Welga, I ate so many sunflower seeds once that my mouth almost bleed, lol. I will try them again! Good luck with your new trick.
KK, if I had made you feel bad, I want to say I am sorry. Things do come out funny and I wonder how many times I might of accidently offend someone, especailly with my twisted sense of humor. I don't even remember what you posted, lol. I think you are awesome!! Thanks for being here and supporting us.
Jancie, I am ready for one of your funny stories!
The rest of you, you are in my thoughts and in my heart!
Janet
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Jancie,
Good luck on your next try, very good place to start when you do not have anyone around smoking.
About the sunflower seeds, the salt is hard on the lips and mouth, but what I do is unsalt them. I rince them a couple of time by putting them into a pasta strainer (hope you understand what I mean) they lay them down on a double tickness of paper towel, spread them though, let dry for a day or two.
No more burning mouth.nice talking to you, love your pics bu the way, just too funny
Welga
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Jancie thanks for the words of encouragement and when I am down I will pm you.
Renee
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Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I am trying to gear up for another quit attempt. I really want my healing to go well after surgery and want a good month and a half smoke free before the surgery. I can relate to the being afraid to quit. Really is there anything to be afraid of? I have to keep asking myself that question.
Can those of you who have quit speak to the physical benefits of quitting like how your circulation was after quitting...lung capacity? Any troublesome physical side effects outside of the normal nasty withdrawal stuff?
Hugs to all.
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cleo - other than the normal withdrawal se's I can honestly say no other issues. I did discover that I was a very shallow breather when not smoking, I had to consciously remember to BREATH. Apparently I only inhaled deeply when smoking... I quit 10 days before my initial dx and I will admit my anxiety was through the roof but I had sooo much going on and sooo many decisions, I think that helped me not think about not smoking. Best wishes with your pending quit date, your are already starting to ask good questions of yourself (what is there to fear...) so you are one step closer in mentally preparing yourself.
Lots of Hugs!!!
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My last post was Nov 12th! I just spent the last two hours going through everything you all have been writing here and I'm glad to see so many new members and to hear that so many of people are working on quitting. I have a couple of questions:
1) Mental Motivation to Quit? - Haven't been able to get to the mind set for seriously quitting. Have so many logical reasons but it's not enough. Been through counseling to help quit but still haven't gotten the mental desire to really, really quit. What made you quit? I hope you guys will share what made you decide to really quit and stick with it so that I might find some inspiration that will help me to quit.
2) Rad Therapy & Smoking vs Quitting - good time to quit? Please share your experiences with quitting during treatment; both good and bad. Chemo made me smoke less and my medical onc is willing to be happy with just a slow reduction in cigs.
Medical Update: have had 4 chemo treatments postponed due to high liver enzyme numbers and am being referred to a liver specialist (hepatologist) for enlarged liver and a prelim diagnosis of Non-alchoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) with recommendation to quit smoking in addition to likely dietary changes.
DeniseM
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Denise - Ugh!!! NAFLD!!?? You are in my prayers! Reducing your daily smokes is AWESOME!!!! I found it easier to give up the cig's then stick to a diet or healthy eating habits...
I don't know I got mentally ready although I set my quit date May 5, 2009 in January...smoked like a friggen chimney until Late April but I did start to notice my attitude changing about the cigs. I was starting to notice the 'lovely' smell in my car and on my clothes, hands and hair. It became more of a chore then pleasure trying to find places to smoke and during the winter since I have never smoked in my home. I was paying more attention to how much I was smoking, when and where. I will admit that I was an AVID READER before quiting (I would read a book a day, mystery, suspense, historical romance...). I have read one book since my dx in May...have tried several times to pick up a book and enjoy it but it always seems to trigger an overwhelming desire to smoke. It is one of my triggers, so I gave up reading for pleasure until very recently.
Smoking has always been my rebellion, my comfort, my best friend, my vice and high flying middle finger salute to everyone who has tried to get me to quit in the past. I think once I realized how my smoking 'could' impact my healing, treatments and overall quality of life, quiting finally became about me, for me, and other peoples opinions just didn't matter.
It was hard and frustrating and no fun at all, but it does get easier to tell myself I do not need that cigarette, I am a non-smoker and you can do it too!!!
LOTS of HUGS!!!!
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Michelle - thanks for your very throrough reply and for sharing so much!! I read and re-read your post to see (and feel) what resonated with me. Identifying my triggers has been helpful and keeping track of the number of cigs smoked during the day has also helped. Better than just absently smoking without thought. I have noticed the yucky smell of the ashtray and clothing but since no hair yet there's not that aspect to cope with. No winter weather here in Hawaii so I also don't have that incentive. I appreciate your helping identifying some aspects of smoking that have kept me tied to my habit.
I appreciate your hugs and support as I go through more in this BC journey,
DeniseM
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Hello Ladies, I am still here but had some crazy things happen so running behind. I don't have time to read , etc, just wanted to let you all know that I am thinking of you and wishing you all well. Be here soon.
Hugs,
Janet
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Hi all, I am still trying to quit the habit. I am still down to 1-2 a day!!! This has already been a stressful week. Please keep my husband in your prayers. He has his cardiology nuclear stress test done yesterday and the doctor didn't like something he saw, so he will be having an arteriogram next Thursday, Dec. 17th, and if he has a blockage on the front side of his heart as suspected he will have to have a stent placed. He is 48 yrs. old, smoked since he was 16 stopped about 9 mos ago. He had a heart attack 2 yrs ago with a quadruple by pass done. All of this on top of my BC and I am about to start Rads any day. It's definitely been a hard time.
Hugs and Blessings
Renee
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