| Author | Message | ||
     Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1500 Registered: 7-2003 |
Well last night actually. My dad has a little pre cancerous thing in his throat. No surgery yet but he needs to quit. So I figured I’d do it first before talking to him. Smokers stink they smell, and are a hazard to my health. Hey that felt kinda good. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 1821 Registered: 9-2003 |
Congratulations Brett! It's one year and three months (and two days but who's counting?)for me. It's not easy... but I quit dozens of times before.. this time I had a good reason.. and it seems you do too. Hang in there.. chew gum.. | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 434 Registered: 10-2002  |
Keep it up Brett!!! I quit in 1990. I had nightmares for about 2 years that I "blew it" and started smoking again - don't have those any more... Quitting was the best thing I ever did. I know this might sound crazy, but I consider the fact that every once and a while (usually when I visit Europe once/year where they smoke like chimneys), that I can have a cigarette - hell - I could smoke 10, and when I wake up in the morning I have NO desire to have one. I think that may sound a bit strange, but you know what I mean - having the ability to not want another one is an amazing feeling of power over your own life. You're taking charge of your life today and every day thereafter. I'm sorry to hear about your father. I'm sure he'll be very proud of your decision. Even if you have some setbacks, keep getting back on it and stick to it for the long haul. All the best to you - you CAN do it. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 639 Registered: 1-2004  |
Congrats Brett!!! Take it one day at a time! And the same to SoLady and Lill too! | ||
| DeborahG Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1213 Registered: 5-2001  |
You go, Brett! Two years and six weeks for me. It was incredibly hard but totally worth it, especially when my kid said, "Wow, mom, you don't smell anymore!"  Now I'm going to be around to drive her crazy for a long, long time.... | ||
| Rick B Citizen Username: Ruck1977 Post Number: 492 Registered: 8-2003 |
Nice Job Brett! I am 14 months in myself and I rarely even think of it. I had quit numerous times before, but the thing that convinced me...life insurance. I had to apply as a smoker, and in order to reapply as a non-smoker, you need 2 years smoke free. Apparently there is some test they can do, not sure if i believe it, but the premium going down convinced me! Good luck! | ||
| Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 528 Registered: 5-2003 |
I quit in 1979. If I hadn't, I'd probbably not be alive today. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1759 Registered: 4-2002 |
Now if someone could get my wife to quit smoking. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 1823 Registered: 9-2003 |
Got kids? My kids had badgered me before.. then one day my eldest came in and said we needed to talk. With tears in his eyes, he relayed the story of his favorite co-worker who was watching her mother die of lung cancer. His pleading that I not do that to him and his siblings hit home. I quit on his birthday for that extra dose of motivation. Each time I thought I wanted a cig - and there were many - I knew it wouldn't be "just one" and all I had to do was remember his face.. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 5073 Registered: 5-2001 |
Brett: I'm glad they caught your dad's growth in time. Bright side is that it gave you and hopefully your father the incentive to quit. I know you'll make it. If you need moral support just holler. Dave: Are we ready for a smoke ender's section? | ||
| D. Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 5459 Registered: 4-1998  |
I imagine the lawsuit for setting that section up would be, um, more serious (or slightly less frivolous, I should say). "I thought I could quit if I read all those messages... it didn't work!" | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 5703 Registered: 1-2003  |
There are more harmful substances than tobacco, but it seems that few are as addictive. They say quitting is very hard. My father did it 20 years ago, and he still says it was the hardest thing he ever did. Good luck, and feel free to vent here any time. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3957 Registered: 5-2001  |
I just came back from taking my mom for another test. She has lung cancer, it has probably spread & I am now figuring out how to juggle being here with/for her and my life on the east coast. As well as how to deal with my 88 y/o grandmother. My mother is 64. She has smoked at least 2-3 packs a day since she was a teen. I quit 18 years ago just this past Sunday. As SO Lady said... if you can't do it for any other reason, do it for the loved ones in your life. I never knew I could feel this badly. | ||
| upondaroof Citizen Username: Upondaroof Post Number: 100 Registered: 4-2003 |
It's been 10+ years since I quit a 2-3 pack a day addiction. The actual quitting was easy. Convincing myself to quit, wasn't. My dentist gave me a wake up call when he found pre-cancerous tissue in my mouth. I quit and it went away, lucky me, maybe. I smoked for 34 yrs. Who knows what's waiting down the line. I still have dreams of smoking Luckies, by the carton, but if I knew tomorrow, I'd be no more, I still wouldn't light up one last time. I really don't miss it. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 5076 Registered: 5-2001 |
Greenetree: How terrible for you and your family. I hope your mother recovers quickly. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 1825 Registered: 9-2003 |
Greentree - just uplifted a prayer for you and your family for strength and peace of mind and heart... how far away from the east coast are you right now? | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3959 Registered: 5-2001 |
Insult to injury.... I'm in Ohio... the red state. Thanks for your wishes, all. I toyed with the idea of blogging, but it just seems too personal. I may keep a private journal. If it would make just one smoker think about their family & the effect, I might think about it. Her smoking addiction is so strong that my brother won't even stay here with his kids because she chain smokes & no one can breathe. We started staying in a hotel, too, when we came to visit. She just couldn't stop & didn't want to. Funny thing is, my grandfather (mom's dad) died of colon cancer in 1977. A few years ago, I actually said to her something very similar to what SO Lady's son said - that she watched her father die a painful death, so why would she knowingly put herself at excess risk and make her own children go thru the same thing. Did a lot of good. So, SOL, I have to say, thank you. Tell your son that you have given him the greatest gift. And not to take away from Brett's thread, because this is a great celebration. Congrats, Brett. Thank you, too. | ||
| luv2cruise Citizen Username: Luv2cruise Post Number: 326 Registered: 12-2002 |
Just what we need, another non-smoker bashing smokers in the world. I wish you luck and I also wish you'd lay off of smokers. | ||
| just me fromsouthorange Supporter Username: Jmfromsorange Post Number: 1052 Registered: 7-2003 |
luv2cruise I hope your comment was a poor attempt at humor because it was rude. | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1502 Registered: 7-2003 |
Day two: I have to admit that yesterday and today are not the worst days I’ve had. It feels like I have momentary spells of panic. I finish eating or get done with something at work and think “Ok Time for a smoke” then panic because I have none, and I’m not smoking any more so what should I do!!!!!!!! My girlfriend got home last night (She works in Chicago Mon-Thur) and the ride from the airport was very strange. What was normally a smoke fest turned into an awkward silent ride. Lucky she’s quitting too and I have her support. Thanks all for your support. The best to you and your family Greentree. BTW what’s with smokers just tossing their cigarettes out of moving cars? Don’t those selfish jerks care about litter!!!!! |
