Stop Smoking Support Thread
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Ladies - I will need your support.I haved smoked 51 of my 70 years and have selected tomorrow as my quitting day. As hard as my journey with cancer has been I have been blessed and am resolved to break this addiction.
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X: You can do it!! Do whatever works for you. I did patches and Wellbutrin to help with cravings and side effects. So far, so good. I haven't smoked at all since Aug 10. I smoked 32 years. Take deep breaths, walk, pray, whatever works.
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LadyinBama--congrats on the 10 days! In 10 more days I hope to say the same.BTW I ave 3 grandkids at Auburn now.
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xgolfer: War Eagle! It's a great school. If you ever get a chance to go down there, especially on a game day, it is the quintessential college town. My youngest stepson went there and I think he would have stayed there forever if he could. He lives in Raleigh now. Is Lincolnton near there? Hang in there with the smoking.0
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Well, the last pack didnt go over so well, some issues that really has me stressed out.
I will quit, But I have some things to work out first.
Kristy
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Sweetaerobabe,
Sending you strength to handle the things that are stressing you out!
Everyone has to find a time that is right for them to quit. You will quit when you are ready. We will be here to support you when you do!
Hang in there!
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Welcome xgolfer!
Hope your first day of getting rid of those cigarettes is going well!
Are you using any of the stop smoking aids that are available? Some of us have done well with the patch, others have used one of the prescription medications and some have gone cold turkey.
I was a pretty heavy smoker (over 1 1/2 packs a day at my peak) and smoked for over 30 years and quit cold turkey. Wasn't easy (in fact the first couple days were downright hard) but it gets much better and fairly quickly.
I now have been smoke-free for 8 months (something I NEVER thought I'd be able to say) and, will tell you, it is SO worth it!
Hope to hear more from you soon!
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You can sign up at quitnet.com and get these emails that track your progress. I like to see where I am. Here's mine from today:
Your Quit Date is: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 1:00:00 PM
Test Time Smoke-Free: 41 days, 15 hours, 54 minutes and 17 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 833
Lifetime Saved: 6 days, 8 hours
Money Saved: $147.00
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Today is my 111th day and I have saved 721.00. I still can't believe I am not smoking.
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Surgery was Monday 9/20...all 5 nodes negative!
All cancer gone and I got boobs and cleavage!!! Great job by docs.
No smoking since sunday 9/19...
Jan
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Jan: Great news on the nodes. Hang in there on the smoking. The first few days were the hardest for me, physically. You've passed that. Now you've got to fight the mental addiction that tells you to have a cigarette. Your healing will be easier and you'll feel so much better if you stay smoke-free. Mine was. (((HUGS)))0
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jan508,
So happy that your surgery went well. GREAT news on the nodes! I'm sure you are very relieved. I know I was! Do you plan to have the OncoType test done? Many times, although not always, us ILC girls have low oncotype scores even though our tumors tend to be larger. I know my oncotype score of 14 surprised my doctor!
Congratulations on stopping smoking! As LadyinBama said, once you pass those first few days and the physical part is over, it gets MUCH better!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!!
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Barbara and LadyinBama,
You are both doing GREAT! I know what you mean when you really just can't believe that you quit smoking! It's amazing how fast it goes from trying to get through the next hour without smoking to the point where you look at the number of days and go 'wow, has it really been that long? Where the heck did that time go?'
I may have to switch over to the quit meter that LadyinBama is using. I like the Lifetime Saved statistic and mine doesn't have that.
Jennifer
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Yes, having oncotype test - hoping it's low so I can bypass chemo.
Are you on tamoxifen? How is that?
Jan
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Jan,
Yep, I started on Tamoxifen last October so I'm coming up on a year.
I have had side effects but, none so bad as to keep me from taking it.
The worst one by far has been the hot flashes/night sweats but that seemed to be much worse the first few months I was on it and have tapered off so as not to be as bad. I used to be cold all the time so to feel this warm is unusual to me.
I have had a bit of weight gain (nothing huge though) but, not sure if I can blame that on the Tamoxifen or if it's from quitting smoking. My husband and I have just started a diet so we'll see what that does.
A bit of muscle/joint pain but, not overwhelming.
Have not had a period since I started Tamoxifen. Onc said at my age (48) that there was a 50-50 chance of that happening. In my case, no big deal as I do not plan to have any more children.
That's been pretty much it. No major problems so far!
Jennifer
If you do decide to go on Tamoxifen, you should probably ask for the CYP2D6 test. It is a simple blood test to determine whether or not you body can metabolize Tamoxifen.
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Jennifer:
I'm not sure what med I'll be on. I'm postmenopausal so we'll see what happens.
Thanks
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Day 4 - no smokes! YEAH!!!
I hope all are going well today.
Jan
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You GO Jan! You can do it!
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Jan508,
You are doing GREAT!!!! Keep it up. Even though 4 days may seem small to someone who hasn't been through it, we who have been know they are the HARDEST 4 days and will get quickly better from here on out!
You should be VERY proud of yourself! When I was quitting, I know that I had read to reward yourself (no matter how small) at the milestones.
Have you thought about what you will do for your reward at your 1 WEEK milestone?
Keep it UP!!!!
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Dutchy,
I know that you are still in the hospital healing from what I hope has been a hugely successful surgery!
Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you EVERY day and praying for your rapid recovery!
Miss you, my friend, and hoping that any discomfort you are feeling is minimal!
Jennifer
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Jan: That's great! The first days are the physically hardest with the cravings. It's get easier after that if you can keep your mind straight; that's our worst enemy! Keep going, you can do it.
Barbara: Just read on another thread about your dad. So sorry. I've lost both my parents and I know how it hurts to see them get sick and weak. Prayers are with you.
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Hello ladies, I just want to give you some support and encouragement re your quitting. I was a heavy smoker (40-50 p/d) and I gave up three weeks after I was dx'd with mets. I have been smoke free now for 17months. It can be done so hang in there ladies.
Hope, strength, love n hugs. chrissyb
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Hello ladies, I just want to give you some support and encouragement re your quitting. I was a heavy smoker (40-50 p/d) and I gave up three weeks after I was dx'd with mets. I have been smoke free now for 17months. It can be done so hang in there ladies.
Hope, strength, love n hugs. chrissyb
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chrissyb,
Thanks for stopping by with support!! That is very much appreciated!
Jennifer
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Jan508,
How are you doing today? Good I hope!
Just a quick heads-up. The weekends can sometimes be tricky when you first quit smoking because your routine tends to be different (different routine = new triggers) so try to be on your guard.
Hope you are continuing to heal and that your pain is minimal!
Jennifer
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Hi Seaside:
So far, so good. Feeling a little better but after washing hair and trying to take a lower body shower today I'm exhausted.
I will keep on my guard this weekend. Thanks for the tips.
Pain is minimal but have some really 'wierd' sensations in one boob. I guess maybe from the drain? I can't wait to get these things out of me. What a pain they are!
Jan
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Drains are a pain and I'm a poet and know it. Yuk yuk. When they come out is sorta like finally having the baby. Well, maybe not exactly. You can do it girl!
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Thanks Barbara. I know it's a process but I'm not a patient patient. It's only day 4 and I'm wondering why I''m still feeling kind of whoozie
Jan
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That's the nicotine withdrawal. That's the part that I always had a BIG problem with. I did auricular stimulation which (they say) clears a blocked nerve in each ear that nicotine addiction clogged up. I have to say, when I quit June 2, I did not have the fogged up stuff that drove me nuts on my previous quit attempts, and there were many. You can do it.
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Jan508,
You just had a major surgery on Monday AND quit smoking in the same week! It's no wonder your body is pretty much saying, 'What the heck is going on here?'... Lol
I know I felt down right sick, almost like having the flu, for the first few days. Pretty much felt like crap and couldn't have thought my way out of a paper bag if you had paid me! That was dramatically improved by around day 5 BUT, when I quit, I was already done with treatment. Your body is recovering from both your surgery and nicotine withdrawals at this point so try to be easy on yourself!
Hang in There! You are just about to the point where it gets easier!
Jennifer
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