Stop Smoking Support Thread

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    Sorry gals - I have been running all day long!!!  I just got back from my breast cancer support group meeting.

    LET'S JUST SAY CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!  I had 2 smokes today.  But.....I am going to just look forward and pretend that never happened because it shouldn't have happened and besides it didn't taste good at all.

    I will be around more tomorrow.  I am really tired tonight.

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited March 2010

    Icey, seaside, dutchy and janice

    Just wanted to pop in and say hi!  I have been smoke free since May 5, 2009...there are now weeks that go by without a thought of smoking and then there are days that it is a struggle to just say no, but I am still smoke free!! It can be done and you are all doing AWESOME and the support you offer each other is terrific!

    Best wishes!!!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Well Shoot Jancie! 

    I figured if you made it through Friday's ordeal without smoking that nothing would make you smoke.

    I had a bad feeling when I didn't see too much from you yesterday but, I had hoped you were just busy.  Not sure what it was about yesterday but, I seemed to be having more cravings than I have had for awhile.  Today I seem to be a bit more back in charge.

    So here's what I'm thinking.  Just like horseback riding.  You 'hit the dirt' yesterday. Time to get up, brush yourself off and get back on and quickly before the horse (in this case nicotine) thinks she's the boss!  I hope you are doing better today.

    Jennifer 

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    I thought I was going to be around but I have to get dressed and leave in 10 minutes for a riding lesson, then I was hoping to go to the gym and work out, cook dinner for the family and then relax but I think the gym is going to have to wait since it is our wedding anniversary today - 9 years!

    Forgot to take the chantrix this morning but didn't wake up with any craving, etc.  I feel so darn guilty for cheating yesterday - not going to happen today!!!  I am determined - now if only I can get my body/mind to work with me on this!

    I am still reeling from the colonoscopy fiasco and so is my dh - he is madder than a hornet. Unfortunately there isn't anything we can do legally - no doubt this doctor is fully aware of his rights also so it is either proceed as a civil matter which will cost us money or just complain to every medical board possible.  My concern is that I have no faith in my test since the doctor contradicted himself 3 times on the report that he submitted to us.  I am going to call my insurance carrier and see if I can take the test again at their expense, etc.  In the very least I need to file a complaint with my insurance carrier so maybe they won't pay this doctor but instead will pay for me to go elsewhere and have the test taken again.  I have a issue with a diverticuli in on area - that showed up on the report but the doctor never discussed it with us so I don't know until I do research what that really amounts to.

    So I will be back but it will be much later tonight.  Ya'll have a great smoke free day!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    O2bhealthy,

    Thanks for the encouragement! 

    I see that you are over nine months smoke-free.  That is awesome!  Are there any tips that you'd care to share?  Any pitfalls to watch out for? I have heard that it gets better with each passing week but, so far have been just going on faith that it is true although things are dramatically better than they were in the beginning. 

    It's nice to hear from someone who's been here before and is doing so well!.

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    I didn't make it back to my computer last night but neither did I smoke!!  At the very last minute my dh was called out of town so I went with him - after all I wasn't going to have him spend the night alone in a hotel on our 9th year anniversary!!  The trip was a blast but I am very tired.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Hi Jancie,

    Not to worry about not making it back last night.  Sounds like you had a waaaaaayyyy better time than hanging out on the boards.  Congratulations on your 9 year anniversary!  My husband and I celebrated our 22nd 2 days after I finished rads.  It was wonderful!

    Good for you for "getting back on the horse"!  Hope everything went well for you today. 

    How'd your lesson go yesterday?

    We're looking at temps near 50 for this weekend!!! Can't wait.  Maybe spring will come after all.

    Jennifer

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    Seaside - my horse is such a pill!  She immediately puts her head down and bucks as soon as I got on her and then she kept throwing her head around as though to say "I really don't want to have to work hard today"  It took a long time to get her under control and moving forward, balanced, etc.

    I was supposed to go back today for my Thursday lesson but it started storming snow, rain, and hail in the mountains and my lesson wasn't until 4 pm which meant I would be driving down a steep, winding canyon road in that stuff.  My trainer was happy when I said "Let's just forget about her for today, you need to get down the mountain before it gets dark"

    So I came home and scrubbed my shower wall, took a shower and am getting ready to fix dinner.  I won't be around tonight late - last night I fell asleep at 10 pm with the TV on.  Must be because the night before my hubby kept me up from 3:30 am to 8:00 a.m. playing pool on his laptop and then I was the one that ended up driving 3 hours home while he rested.

    I am determined that I won't break again as far as smoking goes.  Seems like there are times I have so much will power and other times I am so weak.

    Hope you had a great day!

    Dutchy - how are you doing and what is going on with you?

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Jancie,

    Jazzy sounds like she shares a bit of your spirit and isn't gonna do what she doesn't want to do!  I hope the snow rain and hail that you have been getting isn't headed this way!  I was just seeing that we are due for some nice weather here in the northeast this weekend.  I know it's early but, I'm looking forward to spring!

    Speaking of scrubbing the shower, that's on my list for tomorrow (actually today but, I kind of skipped it).  It really needs it!

    I am so happy that you didn't let a small slip up undo how far you have come!  You are coming up on 3 weeks!!! It's still a small battle every day but things do get rapidly better after that 3 week point. 

    Thinking of you and hoping for a good day for you tomorrow.  

    Dutchy,

    How are you doing? Have you heard from your insurance company yet?  Hoping and praying for good news for you on your UCLA referral!

  • Dutchy
    Dutchy Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2010

    I am frustrated as I did not hear from my insurance company.  I thought it would be in the mailbox for sure today but it was not.  I came home from work very frustrated as it seems like my boss is picking on certain individuals and they may be pushed into quitting.  We are already short too many people and then I hear about her writing them up on things that are not that big of a deal.  I am glad I have not already quit cuz this BS would have driven me to smoke.  How can I avoid these feeling in my future as a non smoker?

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    Seaside - I am embarrassed to admit that my oversized shower with 4"x4" white tile had not been cleaned since I started treatment last February.  So I had soap scum built up like crazy, the white grout was looking orange.  It didn't look unsanitary and totally filthy but I knew the grime was there.

    My favorite cleaner is Bar Keepers which is like an ajax cleaner - did great on the grout - got most of it back to white.  However, I had to scrub like crazy to where I could only do one wall in one day.

    Then someone told me about Magic Eraser has a new product for shower walls - oversized instead of the smaller size with soap scum remover inside.   I decided to take the largest wall and try this Magic Eraser - it took the scum off so easily and faster than the smaller wall that I had to scrub so hard.  However, it didn't clean the grout as well as Bar Keepers cleaner so I need to go back with a toothbrush and work on the grout.  I just couldn't believe how fast that soap scum came off with such little effort on my part.  Now that I am back to being a regular housewife, the shower walls will be cleaned weekly and I won't have to work so hard to keep them clean.

    Dutchy - sorry you didn't get the information from your insurance company.  Take a couple of deep breaths.  There are just some things that are out of our control but that doesn't mean it doesn't bug us really bad.

    I don't know how to avoid the feelings in the future.  I do know that I got a massive guilt trip for having a smoke on Monday - I gave myself the guilt trip.  It didn't taste good at all but it was what I needed emotionally after that fiasco of a colonoscopy which had me on edge for 3 days straight with very little sleep.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Jancie,

    I have to admit that it has been quite awhile since my shower was really given a good cleaning.  I have no real excuse other than I hate, hate, hate cleaning bathrooms. lol  I would rather do almost anything else so it tends to get put on the back burner.  Was supposed to do it yesterday and still haven't gotten to it today!  The big problem is the stupid soap residue.  You're right, you have to scrub so long and hard that it just about kills ya!  I absolutely MUST do it by Sunday because my sister is coming to visit for a couple of days!! I'm excited to see her but, haven't been around family other than my husband and kids since I quit.  I have a 'first' coming up!  Wish me luck!

     I'll have to try the magic eraser thing.  Who knows, it may inspire me to clean the shower more often!  I guess I can always hope!  Where do you get the Bar Keepers?  I have tile on the floor that's looking kinda, shall we say, not the original color!

    You mentioned something in your response to Dutchy that caught my eye.  You said that you hadn't had much sleep in the 3 nights leading up to Monday's event that we will not mention.  One of the things I read warned about letting yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.  They called it H.A.L.T.  When smokers smoke it is the nicotine that helps to regulate your blood sugar so falling blood sugar results in a urge to smoke.  The same goes for when we're tired.  Nicotine is a stimulant. So when smokers are tired they smoke and get a bit of energy (adrenaline).  For awhile till your brain kinda re-wires itself and gets used to functioning without the nicotine it can't tell the difference between hungry, tired, want to smoke.  So if you were super tired along with being angry from Friday, it would make sense that the urge was very strong!

    Dutchy,

    Hoping that today is the day for good news for you!!  Waiting is the pits but, it seems like that's what they make you do every step of the way on this journey even, 9 years out.  As far as your boss.... That really stinks!  I imagine social work is stressful enough without having to be looking over your shoulder wondering what trivial thing you may be written up on. 

    I know before I got layed off there were several layoffs before.  With each one you had to do more and more with less and less.  It got to the point of you weren't sure who you felt worse for, the people who got layed off or the people left to do ALL the work.  This economy just has to turn around soon!  Is it possible that they are eliminating positions and she's trying to get them to quit instead of having to lay them off?  Crappy if that's what's going on!  You are not eligible for unemployment if you quit.

    It sounds like you have a very big heart and care for and are worried for your co-workers.  If you had quit smoking and this came up you would need to keep in the very front of your mind to care for YOURSELF at least as much.  You could smoke but, the problem would still be there and now you will have two problems because, you are now smoking again.  You could have handled it and you WILL at some point. Of course you 'could' have used the excuse that you just quit smoking when explaining why you smacked your boss in the head for being such an idiot!!  KIDDING of course, lol!

    It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend here!  Hope all is well with both of you!

    Jennifer

  • Janzin
    Janzin Member Posts: 491
    edited March 2010
    Hello Ladies,

    I have not forgotten about you, just given up on quitting for a bit as I get my life in order and will try again. I don't have time to read all the past posts that I have missed, and I see quite of new members here which is awesome. Good luck to all of you and I hope to back back one day soon, I have missed this thread, only person I recognise is Jancie and O2Bhealthy, good seeing you here and working it.

    Take care ladies and I hope to see you all here still when I can come back again.

    Hugs,
    Janet


  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Hi Janzin,

    Nice to 'meet' you!  Seems like this thread was pretty active late last year and then sort of died out just in time for me to try to quit smoking.  It's getting a little more activity now. 

    I see you're from Westminster, CO.  I have friends in Boulder.  Beautiful part of the country out there.

    Thanks for the good wishes and hope to see you back soon when you're ready. 

  • Dutchy
    Dutchy Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2010

    Hi Janzin, Nice to meet you.  I have not stopped smoking but plan to soon because I am going to have breast reconstruction and that is my motivator then I want to keep the quit and not start again,  It is such a nasty habit.  Well  I hope you make it back and give it another try.  Take care Evelyn

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    Janzin - YOUR BACK!!!!   So glad to see you posting again.  I must not be reading the threads that you normally respond to!

    I had a smoke free weekend - no problem at all and for the first time actually drank some wine. Wine and smokes go together hand in hand but I guess I was just too darn excited about my dh giving me a diamond tennis bracelet and celebrating our 9th year of marriage.  It was hot, steamy, sexy....still having pain with the intercourse but am going to schedule an appt with  gyno to see what is really going on.  That problem started after finishing chemo.

    Tomorrow is my housecleaning/laundry/ironing day.  I decided to get a huge jump start on the laundry to where I only have one more load to put in the washer tomorrow morning.

    Oh and my Shark Steam Cleaner arrived - I just ordered it about 4 days ago.  They told me that I could pay an extra $10 to ship it faster - I refused even though they said it would take 2-3 weeks to get it by regular shipment.  I think they just wanted some extra money because I got it in 5 business days.  Don't know if anyone has used one of those gadgets but it is the cream of the crop as far as cleaning tile, hardwood flooring, linoleum, etc.  Tomorrow I get to try it out!!!  

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Hi Jancie,

    My sister's visiting so haven't had much time to get out to the boards.

    Sounds like you had a GREAT weekend!  Diamonds AND a hot, steamy night with your hubby!  I'm sooooooo jealous!! 

    How'd the Shark work out?  I've seen those and wondered if they work as well as advertised.

    I got into a huge fight with my son this afternoon complete with screaming and yelling at each other! I basically said a lot of things I shouldn't have in the heat of the moment and so did he.  I left and he said he wouldn't be here when I got back and I pretty much said good!  Well you get the ugly picture. Not my proudest moment.  I was so angry I drove to the store pretty much to buy cigarettes.  I sat in the parking lot for the longest time had a good cry and didn't buy them!  That was the closest I have come in 7 weeks to slipping but, I held on.  True to his word, he was not here when I got back but, he just called to at least tell me where he is.  Teenagers are the worst!  We get along good most of the time but, then there's those times when I swear I could kill him!  Today was one of those days.

    On the upside it was 50 glorious degrees outside today and sunny!  There is hope for spring! 

    How are things going with you?  Still hanging in there?  You are now past the 3 week mark!!!!!

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    Seaside -

    I got the newest version of the shark cleaner - the pocket cleaner whereas my trainer has the old style where the pad is on one side and you velcroe it to the bottom.  The water tank I have is larger.

    I think hers puts out more steam and much quicker.  I think I was too anxious and should have waited longer to let the water get really hot, it didn't seem like I got as much steam through the pad but then again my pads are brand new and hers are older and worn down a little bit.  I am sure once I get the hang of it, I am going to love it.  It does beat mopping!!!  No doubt about it.  It is also the PERFECT thing to use for those laminated hardwood floors because you can't ever really get them wet and this thing, well by the time you walk back 2' from the area you were doing, the floor is already dry so there is never waiting to go into a room after you mop it.

    Don't even talk to me about teenagers - I have a very bad attitude towards most of them.  I have a stepdaughter that not only ran away to go live with mommy because mommy allowed her to smoke pot, etc. but also when she ran away she decided to file false charges against me for physically abusing her so that they could get by with her moving in with mommy without paying for an attorney to reverse custody which no judge would EVER reverse custody and give those kids back to the biological mother.  This was after she had already assaulted me 4 times.  She turns 18 in 13 days and I am counting down!  Legally since we still have custody we are responsible for her.

    Now I have the 14 year old stepson who has always been a good kid - it is like deja vu.  I don't know what his mother is saying to him - we know she continues to try to entice him but he rarely speaks to me, doesn't respond to me when I tell him something, has become disobedient to both myself and his father.  Fortunately he only spends about 3 to 5 hours a week with his mother but she can do so much damage to him emotionally in that time frame.

    You should be around me when teenagers get rude - I get in their face so quick and tell them that they are rude, disrespectful and that obviously their parents didn't teach them any manners at all and as an adult, I will not tolerate bad treatment.  

    My husband - he is funny.  He will see a teenager in the store with his pants down his butt to where his boxers are showing and he will tell them "you look absolutely ridiculous - PULL YOUR PANTS UP!"

    Sometimes I think I am just an old fart with old fashioned ideas on how children should behave.  I have a really strong opinion on that.  Let's just say no kid of mine living in my home is going to be getting a tramp stamp, ear piercings (boys), etc.  And no.....I will not accept girls going around with their thong underwear showing and boys showing their boxers.

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2010

    Oh and I forgot - it is now day 24 for me!!!  With only one smoke during that time period - that one smoke that I am going to forget ever happened!!!  I did have some cravings today for some reason so I finally took a valium and feel much better.

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited March 2010

    Yea Janice!!! 24 DAYS!!!!

  • Dutchy
    Dutchy Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2010

    Congratualtions on having 24 days!!! I think you are doing great especially with teenagers.  Mine drove me to anti-depressants.  Hey I just got the approval for my second opinion to Dr. Festekjian for my breast reconstruction.  So so happy and scarred.  No more excuses for not stopping smoking...it is done.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Jancie,

    24 days is great!!!!!  You are well on your way to your one month quit-aversary.  Did you have to stop for a moment to figure out how long it had been?  I know you said you have tried many times to stop.  Is this the longest you've gone?  You should be very proud of yourself.

    Yes, teens are the pits.  I know I'm going through a bit of a rough patch with mine but, nothing like what you've been through!  It is hard enough to raise them into decent human beings without having an ex-spouse undermining your efforts!  I had a friend in that same boat and it was truly hell on earth for her.  I know I wasn't an angel when I was growing up but I don't think I was as bad as what I see out there today.  And the way some of these kids talk to adults is absolutely shameful.  In fact when I was at war with my son the other day, I said, 'if I had ever even thought about talking to my parents the way you just talked to me, I would have been picking my teeth up off the floor!'

    I agree with you on the pants thing!  I mean, how ridiculous does it look to be walking around with your pants basically around your knees and you're right some of the girls are just as bad.  I suppose some of the styles that we wore 'back in the day' probably had our parents scratching their heads too but, I don't think it was this bad!  

    Dutchy,

    HURRAY on you finally getting your approval!!!!!  Have you called to schedule your consult yet?  Let us know when it is.  No more excuses is right!  You have a really great incentive now to kick this stupid addiction once and for all!  We will be here to support you when you're ready.  I am truly happy for you! 

  • Judy1992
    Judy1992 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2010

    Hello All,

    I'm new to the Discussion Boards, but not new to bc.  I quit smoking in 1987 .... wanted to share some good news re quitting tobacco.... first, please don't ever be hard on yourself ... quitting takes practice (just like we had to practice when we were learning to inhale).  Second, research shows that every time you make a quit attempt there is a layering effect, and you increase the odds that the next time you try you will be successful!  Third, every state now has a quitline ... If you dial 1-800- QUIT NOW you will be connected to your state's cessation service ... states vary in the services they offer thru their quitlines, but most provide a quit coach and many provide some of the nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) ... like the patch, gum, etc.  ... success rates double when you combine with coaching (either by phone, individual or group face to face or online.  Yikes, I sound like a commercial.  I'm not ...  I work in state government with the tobacco prevention and control program and wanted to share what I've learned.  So ... *hugs* to each of you ... keep trying!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Hi Judy1992,

    Welcome and glad to hear from you!  I just read your profile and wow!  First of all your pride in your daughters and grandchildren is sooooo evident and wonderful!  They sound like remarkable children.  Your love for your mom also comes through loud and clear.  You sure have a lot on you plate right now.

    I was very interested to see your diagnosis of sarcoidosis.  My husband was diagnosed with that in 1992 when our daughter was 2 years old.  That is not a very common illness! He is doing well now but those were some very tough times while they tried to figure out what was the matter with him.  The doctor who was treating him said that in his 30 years of practice he had never seen a case of it.  Glad to hear you are doing well on that front.

    I am so sorry to hear that you are having to go through this again.  It sounds like it is good news that the arimidex seems to be helping.  You are in good hands at Hopkins.  I had my second opinion there with Dr. Lisa Jacobs and she was wonderful.  I know when I was first diagnosed the hardest thing that I had to do was to tell my children.  I told my husband, 'I have spent my whole life trying to protect my children from pain and now I have to tell them something that is going to cause them the worst pain they've ever felt and I am the cause of it.  How do I do that??!'  It doesn't matter how old your children are, they still bring out the Mama Bear in you but, they are stronger than we know!  

    Anyway, thanks so much for the support on the stop smoking front. 

    Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Dutchy
    Dutchy Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2010

    Yes it is a great day and I am excited that I got my referral.   Tomorrow IS MY FIRST DAY AS A NON SMOKER!!!  My date for my consultation is April 1st as they only see patients on Thursdays and that is the first free Thursday that I have.  I have been waiting this long what is a few more weeks.  If everything goes as planned then I could have my surgery on or after July 1st depending on the doctor and my success at being a non-smoker.  Tomorrow I am not going to work and I plan on Spring cleaning all the cigarette junk, smell out of the house and car that is if I am feeling better.  I stayed home sick today and that was how I was finally able to follow up on the second opinion.  I am too sick to go to work but not to take care of a little business.  You would think I would not be smoking because I am sick, but that does not seem to be stopping me today but it will not stop me from stopping tomorrow.  I am finishing the pack I have and that is it, even if I finish it today early.  I feel so much stronger now that I have my referral.  I have my incentive.  I want this surgery so bad and now nothing will stop me from getting it.  Thanks ladies for being there for me.

  • Judy1992
    Judy1992 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2010

    Hi Seaside Memories ... thanks so much for your kinds words.  I never knew you could love anyone like you can a grandbaby ... they are such fun!  Tomorrow is the big day for my mom - her 90th .. we are having a luncheon for her with about 25 relatives.  Hearing about your husband's bout with sarcoidosis is probably about the 4th or 5th person I've heard about since 1998 .. good to hear that he is doing well.  Quitting smoking was probably one of the hardest things I ever done in my life.  To Dutchy and all the other courageous women trying to quit, don't be so hard on yourself.  I used to tell myself that when I had bronchitis having a smoke helped - I didn't think I could talk on the phone or drive my car without a smoke.  I hated the Great American Smoke Out ... I used to read the self-help books with the book in one hand and a smoke in the other.  I had my ear stapled, I tried hypnosis ... my kids would bring home brochures from school and ask me to quit ...nothing worked.  Surgery was my motivator - in 1987 I had to have an ovary removed and knew that smoking and surgery are not the best combination, and that smoking also has an impact on healing.  I quit smoking on the Friday before my Monday surgery ...back then I had to be in the hospital for four days (its probably a drive through procedure now!) ... my dad also gave me $100 for quitting and told me that if I ever started again I had to pay him double ... still not sure how I did it, but I remember my mindset also changed (not sure I have words to explain that part about mindset, but know that if I could bottle it, I would definitely be one wealthy gal!)  and it worked ... I've never smoked since.  I do remember that one of the first things that happened when I quit was that I could smell the smoke ... I couldn't believe it.   I wish you all the very best.  Go for it  Dutchy ... and remember, you don't have to do it alone - there are lots of resources to support you.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    YEA Dutchy!!! Today is your day! 

    April 1st isn't really too far off and by then you will have a couple weeks of not smoking under your belt and will be feeling much better.  I quit about the same time ahead (I think it was 2 1/2 weeks or so) before my first round of follow-up appointments and know I felt pretty good by then. Felt great to go into my appointments and for the first time in 30 years when they asked the dreaded question 'Are you still smoking?' I could answer No!  

    I liked how you phrased your comment of being sick did not stop you from smoking yesterday but will not stop you from stopping today.  If anything being home sick may play in your favor!  It will give you a solid 3 days at home before you have to go back to work.

    Remember... Lots of fluids (expecially fruit juice) and regular meals to flush out the nicotine and keep your blood sugar level (takes a couple days for your body to figure out how to do that again without nicotine).  Rest when you can.  Quitting smoking is tough on the body and you are sick on top of it!

    I'm sure Jancie will be along with what seemed to help her in those first days.

    I am so excited for you!  Will check back later to see how your doing!  Keep your eye on the prize!

    Judy1992,

    Congratulations to your mother on her 90th birthday!  I'm sure she will enjoy the luncheon!

    You are right quitting smoking is probably hands down the hardest thing I have ever done.  It is strange the things we do tell ourselves when we smoke.  I know I didn't let a little thing like being sick interfere with my smoking! 

     It's funny that you mentioned the self-help books and smoking all while reading them.. lol.  I bought a book by Allen Carr on stopping smoking precisely because he said you can smoke until you are done.  My plan was to read reeeeeeealllllly slowly.  But the book actually made me excited to quit.  It wasn't a miracle cure but I DO think it caused the change in mindset that you spoke of (much to my surprise) in that it explained why smokers smoke in a way that I WAS READY to hear.  

    I think no matter what method you use, it will only work if you are READY and doing it for you and no one else.

    I only have 7 weeks under my belt so it is great to have someone who has quit for so long to help us newbies on our way!  

    Jancie,

    How's things going?  Haven't heard too much about Jazzy lately?  Have you had a chance to ride?

  • GML
    GML Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2010

    Well, I quit again....started on Tamoxifen and my oncologist was adamant about me not smoking due to risk of blood clots.  I hate quitting when it is someone else's idea, always makes it harder.  Today is day three.  This time I am armed with both the gum (which is usually pretty effective for me) and the nicotrol inhaler (which is new to me).  I'm not using both at the exact same time but am using the inhaler when I miss that feeling of something going into my lungs (I know all you former smokers and current smokers know what I'm talking about) and when my urges are particularly strong.  I've quit many times in the past, only to start again, but have a healthy enough fear of the Tamoxifen to want to stop...will be pissed if I went through all that chemo hell only to die of a blood clot.  It does smell badly, I'll agree, but I so enjoyed it....and miss it already.  I could always start again in 4 years, 362 days, lol.  Hope all of you are doing well in your attempts to stop smoking.....

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2010

    Hi GML,

    Glad to have you join us!  I hear you on the Tamoxifen thing in that my Onc was also pretty insistant that the smoking had to go but I had already gotten to the point where I knew I wanted to quit so his insistance wasn't a big deal.  You're right, to go through hell and be taken out by a blood clot would certainly suck!  He did say that side effect wasn't very common but, I guess I figured I already won the cancer lottery by having ILC which wasn't all that common either.  Didn't want to chance it!

    Is the nicotrol inhaler the same thing as the e-cigarette?  I would be interested to know how that works for you.  My sister-in-law is wanting to quit and is thinking about using the e-cigarette.

    I can see you have a good sense of humor! Loved the line that you can always start again in 4 years, 362 days!  Look forward to having you here.

  • Dutchy
    Dutchy Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2010

    Hi Everyone, I am doing pretty good and not having too many cravings yet...except for sweet foods.   I am staying away from that as I do not want to gain my weight back.  My son, who lives with me, is going to quit once he finishes his pack of cigarettes.  No more cigarettes in this house.  I slept most of the morning due to being sick and am really getting the feel for not smoking.  It is not driving me crazy and when I start to think about a cigarette I tell myself "Smoke a cigarette then no boobies"...so far it makes me LOL and not smoke.  Welcome GML.