Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Dutchy - Good for you, not even craving a smoke right now! Hope your appointments went well this morning.
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Dutchy: Hang in there and let us know how the scans go. It has to be hard living with smokers. I'm the only one in my house who smoked.
I had an onc appt today and got my chemo start date, next Tues, 8/31. Believe me, I got in the car and my first thought was a cigarette. All of a sudden this cancer shit seemed all too real and scary. But I know that smoking is not the answer and I've worked too hard to get the 14 days I've now got. I don't want to give up now.
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Folks, I must say I do have my moments. Last week I was in the Birmingham airport and headed to the bar. Walked in and AAAHHHH! Smoke. Probably the last smoking bar in any US airport. Ordered a beer and breathed in the second hand smoke, loving every nasty breath.
After, walked to the ladies room then to the gate and I REEKED. Yuck.
Still loved my vicarious sojourn into the land of smoking. I swear, if I get lung cancer from rads to my left boob (never according to radonc, 30-35% according to ASTRO), I am starting smokng again and F&% them and their denials.
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LadyinBama,
Perfectly understandable that you would want a cigarette something fierce in that situation! Good for you for riding it out!!
Yes, I remember there were times I was so scared I didn't know how I was going to walk into the doctor's office under my own power. Then there were other times when it felt like this was all happening to someone else. Try not to let yourself think too far ahead. Breaking things down into small pieces (and believe me some days it was just get through the next hour) makes it seem more manageable and less frightening! I know it's hard to believe but, once things get going, it really does go by fast. Remember, if things get to be too much, there are people who care on these boards and are very willing to help with answers to questions or just an "I hear you and I understand".
Congratulations on your 2 weeks not smoking!! Hang in there it does get better.
Jennifer
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BarbaraA,
LOL at your journey into the land of smoking!!
I too must confess to doing pretty much the same thing recently. We were on vacation (had rented a condo). Whenever we had gone in the past, the only place you could smoke was out on the balcony so that was where I spent lots of time. This year it felt really weird at first to be out there and not smoking but, the people below us smoked so I just sat out there and smelled it and pretended it was me smoking! Geez, the crazy things we do!
It still kind of ticks me off that not ONE of my doctors mentioned that smoking during radiation would raise the risk of lung cancer quite a bit. Although if I am really truthful with myself, I'm not sure it would have made me quit at the time. Just think I wasn't ready yet. Like I said previously, can't change it, don't waste energy worrying about it!
Have a great dayl!!!
Jennifer
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Ladynbama, ya know I never had to go through radiation or chemo. Just had the bi-later mastectomies and was done as far as treatment goes, but I know how it feels to have something trigger those cravings and thank fully they do pass if you just wait them out. For some reason today all of a sudden I got one of those urges and I told my office mate that I sure would like a cigarette, but I won't have one. You are having to go through so much with quitting and starting Chemo very soon that I am very proud of you for not picking up that cigarette when you got your date. Take care and keep in touch.
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Well girls I understand completely. Found out I had breast cancer in the middle of June and have been waiting for something to happen ever since. People are on holidays and waiting for appts., I have been so stressed out and smoke even more. Monday, I have my MRI and then that week I should know what exactly is going on as far as surgery anyways. I think the day I go into the hospital for surgery will be my quitting day. You all give me great encouragement however, I am too stressed to quit right know. The reality, I don't think it has all sunk in yet and I am scared to death of having the MRI. Heres hoping that gets over fast and I am successful and don't panic.
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Kody - call your primary doc and ask for some Valium or anxiety meds. I have problems with small spaces and would get nauseous just thinking about the MRI. I really did not think the Valium did much more then calm me down some but apparently I was 'as loose as a goose' per my friend who drove me to my appointment.
They also helped when my anxiety levels got too high waiting for the results.Dang I was trying to get on the quitmeter.com site but it must be down...was curious since I quit May 6th, 2009 15 months and 20 days - WHOOOOOOOOT!
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Kody22,
Where you are right now was the absolute worst part of this whole thing. The WAITING is excruciating and borders on down-right cruelty! It DOES get better once you have the complete picture of what is going on, get your plan together and get started with treatment. You will seriously be surprised at how fast the time goes by.
I completely agree with O2B. I know I have anxiety about being in small places and was really worried when I had to have an MRI.
It really wan't bad at all. At my facility they put you into the machine feet first so that my head was close to the opening. I was face down but looking through a kind of donut shaped thing that had an angled mirror in it so you could see out into the room. It just looked like I was lying in a tube looking out the end. Not sure if they are all like that or not. They also give you a button that you can push and they will stop the test if you push it. Of course then you would have to reschedule the test. They can also hear you and see you at all times and they kept asking how I was doing throughout. Just a heads up, I was really surprised how noisey the machine was. They did give me a choice of earplugs or headphones with music.
My breast surgeon also prescribed a Xanax tablet to be taken 1 hour ahead. I did take it because I didn't want anything to prevent me from completing the test. Boy, you take one of those and you really just don't care what they do...lol. Had someone drive me to the appointment, we stopped afterward for breakfast and then I came home and took the best nap of my life!
I have my first follow-up MRI coming up so will be going through it again myself!
Best of luck to you!! You are more than welcome to stop in anytime for support. Oh, one more thing that I didn't know at first. When you are new on these boards you are limited to 5 posts per day until you hit 50 (I think) posts. You can still private message (PM) people though.
Edited to add: Please go easy on yourself as far as quitting smoking right now. You really are going through an unbearable amount of stress.. Whenever you choose to quit, or if you have questions, you will find support from the ladies here!
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O2B,
WHOOOOOOOOOT, is right!!!! 15 months and 20 days! I just passed 7 months and can't believe it!
Hopefully you can get to the quit meter today. If you haven't checked it in awhile, you will be pretty shocked to see how fast things add up. I know I was!
Keep it up!
Dutchy,
How'd the tests go Tuesday?
Those cravings that come out of nowhere really do stink. Don't know if you remember back from earlier this year but, one of the things I had read was that, after the first 3-5 days, when you are dealing with psychological addiction and not the physical withdrawal, everytime you do something for the first few times that you used to do while smoking you will get a pretty good craving until that connection is broken. That's why sometimes people who have quit for some time start up again out of the blue. They probably hit a "First" time doing something that they used to do while smoking but, something they only did rarely.
I felt a bit of that on vacation this year while sitting out on the balcony where I always used to smoke. In the beginning it was tough. By the end of the week it was fine.
Hang in there! How many days now??
Jennifer
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Ladies, Made another trip to Birmingham and yesterday I eagerly went into the smoking bar. Took a deep breath and it REEKED! Maybe because there were no active smokers in there and all I got was a lungful of stale residual smoke. I may be turning the corner.
2 months and 25 days. WOOHOOO!
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I was just able to go to the quitmeter and changed my start date because that first week I was cheating on myself and smoking here and there. I now have 2 weeks and 2 days. O2b, wonderful for you to have 15 plus months and Seaside, 7 months is awesome. I have not heard about the results of the PET Scan. I am so glad I am having my surgery this year as my insurance co-pays are all going up next year and everything I am doing for free this year will cost one hundred next year. The PET Scan I got the other day will have a 100 dollar co-pay next year. Everyday I get to be in the hospital covered this time, next year will cost 100 dollars a day up to $1500. But I guess it could be worse and not have any insurance even if I did have to fight for the surgery I am getting. Well gotta go to work. You all have a wonderful day.
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O2B and Seaside: Congrats, that is great. I hope I can same the same thing in a few months..
Barbara: I went down to the county courthouse the other day and it is an old building. I didn't notice last time I was in there (I was still smoking) but you can still smell old smoke in there. And I'm sure it's been at least 10 or 15 year since people were allowed to smoke there!
16 days for me. Chemo starts Tuesday so I'm trying to hang in there and not less the stress and waiting get to me. Smoking is not the answer, I know that, but I sure would love a cig. Sigh ... thankfully it's the weekend and my husband will be here and I'll be busy, so I shouldn't be dwelling on it. Hope all you ladies have a good weekend.
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Well thanks for the support Seaside and eveyone else. My drs office called me today and said After my MRI, she wants the report faxed, I am to see the dr. on Tues. and possible surgery on Wed. Things and been so slow and all of a sudden things are on fast mode. YIKES!! At least I won't have time to think after the results of the MRI. Don't worry ladies, I have my adavan ready for consumption that morning. As many as it takes. LOL. So I will be quitting smoking faster than I expected but I think I am ready. By the way, someone mentioned that rad or chemo was not as affective if you smoked. If you take pills to help quit smoking does it have the same affect? Have a wonderful weekend ladies although I will be checking all weekend because I need calming words for this MRI. I am sure I won't be sleeping to much. xoxxo
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Kody22,
Hurry up and wait and then hurry up again seemed to be the game plan early on. Even though it is moving fast right now, you will feel sooooo much better once things get rolling! Have faith that it does get easier!
I think the very first post on this thread had a link to a study on the effectiveness of chemo being reduced in those who smoked. Some studies have shown that going through radiation while smoking, while I think is still effective, may result in an increased risk of lung cancer.
I would guess (and I'm sure there are people on these boards FAR more knowledgeable than I) that as long as the stop smoking aid you are using does not contain nicotine that you would be fine. Examples would be the auricular stimulation that BarbaraA talked about and maybe Chantix.
Do try to rest as much as you can during this stressful time (i know, easier said than done).
I will check in over the weekend when I can. Sending a HUGE hug your way and hoping that you find some small amount of peace during this difficult time.
It DOES get better!
Jennifer
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BarbaraA,
I know what you mean! Actual second hand smoke doesn't bother me in the least (even on occasion find it enjoyable) but, stale cigarette smoke really does smell nasty.
I went to visit my sister last week and the suitcase that I packed my clothes in smelled of old smoke and, unfortunately, so did my clothes when I took them out. NEVER noticed that before but, did this time.
2 months and 25 days!!!!!! Sending you a WoooooHoooo and wishes for continued success!!!! You Go!!!
Have a great week-end!
Jennifer
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LadyInBama,
Congratulations on 16 Days! You and Dutchy have the same amount of time in!
I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and will keep you in my prayers for an easy time of things!!! Staying busy this weekend will be a good thing! Please let us know how things go.
Thinking of you,
Jennifer
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Dutchy,
I know what you mean about the insurance. When I saw this year's health plan I was grateful that I went through treatment last year as it would have cost us A LOT more this year. Although I can't complain because I am one of the lucky ones who has reasonable coverage.
Good for you for re-starting your quit meter!! You and LadyInBama have the same number of days under your belt. I just know you both can be a huge source of support for each other!
You WILL do it this time and you have such a HUGE reward waiting for you!
YEAH for 2 Weeks and 2 Days!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer
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Well as you can see I am still up late thinking about this MRI in the morning. Everyone is asleep so I can sit on the computer and cry by myself. I try to stay strong for everyone else and don't like to let everyone know how scared I am. As time gets closer to my surgery date, it is really starting to sink in. By Tuesday, at least I will know what will be happening with me and the route the Dr. will take. Praying really hard that I can get through this MRI because I don't have a choice. Something I can't mess up. Smoking is right on the back burner at this time!
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Hi, It may not seem sincere for someone to show up out of the blue and say this, but I applaud each and every one of you who have quit so far. I mean that. It is an achievement!
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kody22,
Thinking of you this morning and hoping that your MRI went well!
When I was first diagnosed, I put on a brave face for my children but, when I was alone it was a different story! Don't be afraid to cry if you need to. It releases alot of tension and, at least for me, I feel a bit better afterward.
Jennifer
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Elimar,
I don't find it to be insincere at all! I thought it was very nice of you to stop in to offer encouragement! I know I really appreciate it!
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Kody: Be sure and let us know how your test went. Hang in there girl!
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LadyInBama,
Will be thinking of you tomorrow as you begin your chemo! Hope all goes well for you!!!!
Jennifer
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((((HUGS)))) to ALL you wonderful ladies!!!! Love the support found here...
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Where is this quitmeter? I haven't quit yet, but I had planned to after my surgery. Really, I had. No one in my house smokes but me, and I smoke outside, so I thought it would be perfect.
But my mom was here, and she smokes, and I couldn't let her sit outside and smoke alone.. could I?
I know excuses, excuses, excuses... I need to quit.
Where do I start?
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Anne, go here. I have saved 738.00 since I quit on June 2.
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Anne: You can also sign up at quitnet.com and they'll calculate your quit time for you too. They send daily encouraging emails for a week or two, then weekly, then monthly (I guess they decide we don't need the encouragement
Today I have 20 days smoke free and have saved (according to the quit gadget) $73.80. woo hoo! 0 -
Thanks y'all... I'm going to check out those sights, and then decide on a "Quit Date".
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Welcome Anne068!
You asked "How Do I Start?", well you already have! You have begun to think about quitting.
Smoking outside already and having no one else that smokes in your house is a huge bonus!
A couple of things come to mind as to where to begin. First I would say decide on whether or not you think you will want to use one of the available aids to stop smoking. Some require a prescription. I had a prescription for Chantix that I would have used if needed but, I managed to do it cold turkey so never turned it in.
There is a pretty good site that has a lot of good information on how to break the "habit" part of smoking once the intial nicotine withdrawal is over (generally 3-5 days). It is called "Become an EX" and is a totally free online program. Here is a link to that http://www.becomeanex.org/docs/becomeanEXbook.pdf .
Another thing that you can do is go back in this thread to probably the February or maybe March timeframe when a few of us were just starting out trying to quit. May give you some ideas on what worked and what didn't for some of us!
Feel free to stop in anytime with questions as you decide whether this is the right time for you to quit or not.
Hope to hear from you soon!
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