Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Seaside, I visited Dr Google and found a clinic nearby that did it. It really worked with the addiction. That is the worst part for me. I can deal with the habit patterns but feeling underwater for weeks is dreadful. My sincere condolences. Losing a member of your family is devastating.
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BarbaraA,
I agree that the beginning is the worst and anything that can be done to increase the chances of success is a good thing! Both my brother and sister-in-law are looking to quit in the next few weeks so I figure anything that gives them a boost will be worth it. I will forward your information to them.
Thank you for your kind words! We are all still trying to adjust to our new life without our beautiful fur-baby but we will get there in time.
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Thanks ladies for your support. I don't know what's going to happen to me this time. If I don't find a job, health insurance etc I lose my house, my car everything. I haven't given up yet but I will if I lose everything.....well I lose.
Thanks though.
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seaside,
wishing you animal blessings, comfort and healing.
gentle hugs,
traci
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Seaside, I am sorry to hear about your beloved pet but be assured when the time comes for you to make the journey(many years down the road) that he will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge where all our beloved pets will be. After I had been dx with stage VI and the dire predictions my onc had given me I started seeking a home for my feathered babies and when the search began I explained to all three of them that it wasn't my choice but I would probably be leaving soon and I wanted to make sure they were in a place where someone would love and care for them the way I did, and that when their time came to make the long journey home, I would see them again at the Rainbow Bridge. They truly seemed to understand and when I finally found a home for them with a new family, I was the only one who was bereft but for that I am glad. They are happy and doing well. I give you a lot of credit for not returning to your smoking habit when you were put under this type of stress. I could not have survived the loss of mine if I had not had my crutch. Isn't that disgusting. I am too weak I guess. Best wishes to you. Darla
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Thanks Traci,
I need that today!
Jennifer
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Darla,
There was a copy of the rainbow bridge story framed on the wall at the vet's. Beautiful!
I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for you. I keep reminding myself that relieving her from the pain that she was in was the loving and right thing to do but, it's just still so hard.
The strength of character and the depth of your love that it took for you to do what you did for them is truly remarkable!
Weak? I think not!
Jennifer
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mcbird:
Your post was so touching. I'm sitting here crying now. That must have been so hard to do, but you knew you had to do it and that they now have good homes you can ease your mind knowing that.
Seaside: When my beloved Abby died (springer spaniel) someone had given me a copy of "the rainbow bridge". I cried when I read it. And when my Alpine (black lab/doberman mix) died I forced myself to read it and then when my Sadie (also springer) died I pulled it back out and read it one last time. Crying each time. I'm sitting here now tearing running down my cheeks just thinking about the poem and them. Good luck to you gals who quit smoking.
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Thank you Jennifer and kk. Hope you are both doing well. Hugs and best wishes. Darla
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kk69z,
Our animals do occupy a huge place in our hearts! Springer Spaniels are such beautiful dogs. This is a video that I saw many years ago that I think gives a little bit of a preview as to what the Rainbow Bridge will be like!
It is about a couple of guys who bought (yes, bought) a lion cub from Herrod's in London back in the 60's . (Although I remember the hair and outfits, it is funny to see them today) Tissues may be a requirement to view it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiGKWoJi5qM
Jennifer
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Seaside I am so sorry about the loss of your dog. I know my moms dog use to lay with her while she was ill and dying of cancer. The dog was always so comforting to her and on her lap almost to the day she died.
I have GREAT NEWS. I Won my appeal. The Independent Medical Review Board ruled in my favor and said that breast reconstruction is medically necessary so I get the surgery sometime in September. I quit smoking tomorrow and I just as well say today as I am out of cigarettes and money so I do not have any.
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Dutchy - congrat's on winning your appeal!!!! That is GREAT NEWS!!!!
Seaside - (((HUGS))) My dog's are a constant source of comfort and support...I am so sorry for your loss.
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Yesterday I did not have any cigarettes but was going crazy today of withdrawls and had 2 cigarettes. I promise to myself not to have anymore but cold turkery is tuff but not as tuff as the last time. This time I know what to expect.
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Ladies, just FYI, I smoked for 40 years and LOVED every cigarette I had. I knew I had to quit so a friend told me about auricular stimulation. They use a machine like a TENS unit and zap your ears in different places. They say that certain nerves are blocked by nicotine and that after treatment, you are no longer addicted to nicotine. For me, that is the hardest part..the brain fog, the wanting to kill everyone for just one more cig.
Well, after the 5 minute tx, I was not craving a cigarette. I swear, it works. I quit June 2 and so far so good.
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Edited to redact a post with personal information.
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Only had one cigarette today and unfortunately I still enjoyed it. It seems like the cravings are going away but I have substituted the cigarette with watermelon. Lets hope it does not put too much weight on me. Not sure if I wrote this earlier or not but am so excited I will write it again. My surgery date is September 21, 2010 at UCLA. How long does it take to get nicotine out of the body completely.
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Oh Dutchy, I am SOOOOOOO SOOOOOOO happy for you!
That IS the best news I have heard in quite awhile! I have been out of town for the past week so have a bit of catching up to do so can't type much tonight. Will try tomorrow.
I don't think the watermelon will hurt you. It's mostly, well, water lol... I think last time it was toast (and it was also cold out). Do whatever you need to do to get yourself through the beginning and then work the rest of it out after the cigarettes are done.
September 21 is only a bit away! You must be soooooo excited!
Hope tonight goes well for you. Will try to type more tomorrow!
Jennifer
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O2b,
Thanks so much for the thoughts. It is still very hard. We were away on a vacation that we booked before we knew that our dog was sick. Usually I am excited to get home because I know we can go and pick her up to bring her home. This year I felt like I had no reason to come home. Walking into an empty house with no wagging tail to greet me is still tough. I am trying to focus on the good things that I remember sharing with her and not the last few weeks.
On the up side, a garden update..... Never plant more that one zucchini plant! I have soooo much zucchini that I think the neighbors have started to run away at the sight of me because they are afraid I will give them more.. lol. Green beans did well and I even froze some. Have lots of green tomatoes and picked the first 3 red ones today. Hope I don't run out of good weather here in the northeast before some more ripen! Beets almost ready. Arugula did not do well at all due to me planting it so late I think.
Hope your neighbor's garden did well and that they have been very generous!
Jennifer
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Dutchy - not sure how long until nicotine does not show up in your system, sorry. However, how awesome is it that you fought and won against the big bad insurance company not only for yourself but for so many women who will follow in your foot steps. Way to go!!!!
Seaside - It is amazing how one furry little creature can make such a huge impact in our lives. My DH & I took the kids to Disney about 4 yrs ago, it was a major big deal and fulling a promise made to my son when he was only 4 yrs old (my daughter was a new born). While we were away, our favorite cat disappeared and has never been seen again. It was so hard coming home knowing that we would be missing a beloved member of the family. (((((((HUGS))))))
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Jennifer, You have a fantastic memory. I forgot all about the toasts that I was eating so much of the last time I quit smoking. So sorry for your loss. I am sending you (((((HUGS)))) too. I am glad your garden was okay while you were away. I will need to start the quit meter all over.
Thanks O2bhealthy. I do believe it is a win for all of us women too.
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Hi Dutchy,
Was wondering how you are doing today? As far as my memory, my husband has always said I remember the strangest things but, can't remember things I just did yesterday... lol
I agree with O2b. You should be very proud of the fact that you fought for yourself, persevered and WON! You are an inspiration for any woman that has found herself faced with an insurance company that will not do the right thing. Maybe, if someone finds themselves in the same boat, they can get some pointers from you!
Had some ideas on what may help you this time around. I think maybe going back and reading some of your posts from your quit earlier this year may help. Kind of get an idea of what worked for you, what didn't, where your pitfalls were, etc. Think it was March/Apriltime frame.
I'm not positive but I think the nicotine is gone from your body at around 72 hours or so but the metabolites from the breakdown of the nicotine (which is what I think they test for) takes longer. Maybe 30 days?? The place that I went to for a consult for DIEP when I was considering mastectomies wanted 3 months smoke-free prior to surgery and another 3 months after. I think you said UCLA wanted 6 weeks before and not sure how long after (maybe 6 weeks?)
Someone said on this thread, I think (although who or when it was escapes me at this moment) is that you can do anything for 1 year (or pick a time that will work for you. Maybe your time before surgery plus whatever time required to heal afterward). So tell yourself that you will stick with quitting until that time period is up and then re-assess where you are. If you still want to not smoke, you will continue on. If not, you will smoke. I thought that was really good advise in that it gets rid of that "holy crap, this is forever" feeling.
I know you can do it! You didn't fight so hard to win your appeal to not be able to have your surgery now! Restart your quit meter and start counting the days until Sept 21!
Jennifer
PS. Was kind of curious what my quitmeter would say and I can't get to it... kind of ironic..lol
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Hello,
It has been a long time since I have been active in this thread. I almost felt kicked out since I did not quit but kept trying as long as I was here. But after feeling like I shouldn't be here, I gave up and started smoking more. I still want to quit, stress is so high that I go into panick attacks on my days I quit. But have missed this group, and the support and friendship.
I think I have tried everything but the laser treatment. Took me months to escape the chantix dreams after quitting. I do want to quit, and it is you ladies that keeps that goal alive. Listening to yoiur stories, getting to know you, etc.
One of my sisters here from this thread has moved in, and she takes such a huge empty gap away.She feels the same way I do, kicked off this thread. But I want to help those who are, and keep my goals alive because it can be the furthest thing from your mind with out being around the ones who have quit or trying to.
I want to join back up, get to know you all, and put my goals back in place. I feel like sad being here but also miss this group. Still processing BC, and can't serem to quit. But I want it.
I want to meet you all, and i have gone downhill since leaving here. You all do not know what a tight group and how important it can be for you.
Love you all and look forward to getting to know you and closer to my date.
Best regards,
Janet Z
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Janet - Welcome Back Friend!!!!! So happy to see you here again and I think you will find that this group of women are pretty awesome. Sending you (((((((((((BIG HUGS))))))))))
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Welcome, or shall I say welcome back, Janzin,
The more the merrier! Right now it seems to be mostly Dutchy and I fairly regularly and O2b helps us out too. Others pop in and out with helpful information when they can.
I would certainly hope that this would be a place where everyone feels welcome whether you have quit, are currently trying to quit or even just at the stage of daring to think about it. I find that there is much to learn from everyone's experience and, as in life, sometimes we learn more from struggling and failing than from success. Although, don't get me wrong, success is good, too!
I have found from my own experience that there was a little piece of me that wanted to quit and when the conditions were right (really ready to quit and was in the right frame of mind to quit) there was no turning back. It is hard in the beginning but it does get better!
Hope to hear more from you soon!
PS... Just checked my quit meter (could actually get to it today.. lol)... I have almost 7 months (will be 7 on the 18th), have not smoked 4,088 cigarettes and have saved (drum roll please.....) $1,635.20. WOW! Haven't checked in awhile. That is some serious cash!
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Hey Dutchy,
How are you doing?
Jennifer
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Hi Janzin, Just remember; you aren't going downhill as long as you keep climbing. Hugs.... Darla
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Hi ladies. Just finished filling out my pre-op papers and took a nice long walk but it is not that challenging to me because there are no hills around here. Perhaps next week I will go on a 5 mile walk what is known as Claremont Loop in Southern California.
Congratulations Jennifer!!!!! A big (((((HUG))))) for your success. That is some serious cash you saved and congrates on your 7th month coming up. When I have a little time later I will look up the old posts and see what worked last time and what did not. Yesterday I was having some major anxiety because I really wanted a cigarette but I got through it. I just try to do something else and try not to think about that cigarette although most of the people in this house smoke. I just read today that I need to stay away from second hand smoke too. So I will have to talk to my housemates from afar when outside with them or just visit when they are in the house, although I love to sit outside and visit. Great bunch of people that I live with.
Janzin, that is too bad that you felt like you were not wanted on this thread as I have felt nothing but the love and support from these women. I hope you will hang around and the last thing you need to do is "guilt". It only makes you want to smoke more. The time will be right for you when you are ready or when there is a big enough reason to motivate you, like there has been for me, and that is my breast reconstruction. For now I am doing it one day at a time and it is for my surgery but that seed has been planted and I hope somewhere down the line I will want to stay quit for me. Gotta go shopping and I will post later just wanted to say Hi and thank you ladies for all the support you provide me. Evelyn
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Hi ladies, I just found you. I was another thread about quitting smoking and it seems it petered out pretty quick, so glad I found this one. May I join you?
I've smoked since I was 21, I'm 53 now, about 1 pack a day or a little less. The longest I've ever been quit was 7 months. Then my first husband died and I picked it back up. I started trying to quit a month before surgery, managed to be totally nicotine free a week before surgery and for about a week after. Then the stress and boredom got to me and I picked it back up, maybe 10 cigs a day. I'm trying AGAIN. I'm on Wellbutrin and am using nicotine patches, which I know I should get off of before chemo starts, which will be in a few weeks.
What quitmeter are ya'll taking about? And where do you get the "ear" treatment thingy. I've never heard of that.
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Do a web search on auricular stimulation. I am 58 and have smoked off and on since I was 16. I loved every cigarette I ever had. This really works. It has been 2-1/2 months and I am good. Amazing.
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Barbara: Thanks, I've got a friend who swears by accupunture for quitting smoking. I may give it a try.
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