Gina D. Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Today, 9-1-03 marks the first time in my life, since age 10, that I have gone without a ciggy, or even a drag off of one for 6 months. Every other time I have quit (And I know you ex smokers know this one it has been one here, a hit off a friends there, maybe once a month or so. I am so proud of myself, I could just do backflips! OK, Enough gloating. Back to your regularly scheduled lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Gina, GRRRRRRReat I quit about 19 or 20 yrs ago. Before that i must have quit 5 or 6 times. one time i was in a bet for $5 and i lasted for 4 days and 7 hours and just when work was to stop on the 8th hour, i had that old cig and lost my $5. What can I say, - - the devil made me do it.. Go Gina Go......it only gets better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Good job Gina! One day at a time....thanks for sharing. I am still in that stage where I know I NEED to quit smoking now, but somehow I just cant do it yet. You would think that with all that is going on it wouldnt even be an issue, but I am human and in times I am weak. As soon as I can get some extra cash I am going to try a new system..hopefully that will work. Congratulations on your success. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina D. Posted September 1, 2003 Author Share Posted September 1, 2003 I used, and am still using, the nicotine mouth inhaler. I have found it to be the easiest way, for me anyway, to stay away from the smokes. I started using 4-5 cartdges a day, now I am down to one, and when my latest batch is gone, thats it. Just a thought for you tracy. These are actually cheaper than cigs, if you buy over the net from another country. I get mine from new Zealand. 1/2 the price of the perscription ones you get here, and are the same thing. Literally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Hey Gina, OUTSTANDING , and that really is a BIG DEAL !! I'm 2 & 1/2 years now and still proud of the fact that I did it. Congrats and go eat some ice cream!! God bless and stay well Bobmc- NSCLC stageIIB left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Gina SUPER! You're doing great! I get such a kick out of your posts. You have got to be one on the neatest people out there. So full of life. What a pleasure it's been to meet someone like you. Sue M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny G. Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Gina, That is a huge accomplishment! I am so proud of you! Jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniemac Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Yeah Gina. That's great, and very hard to do. I quit about 12 years ago and it was awful. Six months is fantastic!! Tim is still having a couple a day and it's still driving me crazy! How can you smoke with one lung!! Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina D. Posted September 2, 2003 Author Share Posted September 2, 2003 > How can you smoke with one lung!! I don't know. Just the thought gives me great pain. BUT, it is a habit that takes you over, a hard one to beat. There were folks in the hospital with me that wandered outside with thier chest tubes and IVs to have a smoke,after having the same or worse surgery as me! I didn't get it, but I don't judge. and thank you for the nice compliment Sue M! EVERYONE here is unique tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Gina, Congratulations on an important milestone. I just passed the 3 month mark myself, which is a biggie for me. I quit the second that I hung up from that horrible phone call telling me that my CT looked bad. Only time it really bothers me now is when I get up in the morning and pour that first cup of coffee. Otherwise, I know that I can't smoke anymore and am actually glad that my husband and I have both quit. I know this isn't an issue with you, cuz you're a tiny thing, but the weight gain situation is not good. Plus, I'm taking chemo and losing weight through dieting while taking chemo is a big no, no! I too get a kick out of your posts--you have a great attitude. I hope you stay with this board for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Gina, It's been nine months for me. I quit on January 10th, 2003. That was the day my primary care doctor after looking at my x-rays said to me, does lung cancer run in your family. Scared the day lights out of me. I walked into his office and had just put cig out and when I walked out, I said no more. I didn't use any aids to stop or anything. I smoked for 38 years never quitting once (smoked 1 pkg per day). In fact the day that the doc asked me that scary question, we had plans to go to the Indian casino in Temecula, CA.... I was around people there smoking and I didn't even crave one. The only problem I had was I couldn't stand the smell of the smoke and cigs and still cannot stand it to this day. I truly feel the Lord had something to do with me being able to quit. I do not crave a cigarette, and I have never been able to go for any more that a couple of hours without a cigarette. I know that since he cured me of smoking he will cure me of this awful disease. I truly believe. Praying for a "Cure" for all of us........ Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Gina, great job, keep it up. That is quite an accomplishment, especially in the kind of business you are in, believe me, I KNOW. I have been smoke free since March. I went cold Turkey after my diagnosis but I was in pretty bad shape by the time I was diagnosed from the dangerously low sodium count in my body that the week I had in the hospital strapped to the bed and getting cut open for my biopsy helped me along. We will always be smokers, I will be a smoker untill the day I die....... many, many years from now.......we will always be smokers but WE will never smoke again. Keep your mind in the right place and you can accomplish anything. Keep up the good work. David C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Congratulations Gina, Way to kick butt hee hee hee Ok Ok, I know it's a bad pun, but oh well, someone had to say it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyS Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Way to go! I'm at, what?, 10 months and still have some pretty fierce cravings from time to time...........but I HAVEN'T given in! Hang in there! Hugs and prayers, SandyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaveG Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 June 14, 1997 was the last day for my smokimg. Diagnosed LC 9-11-01. Operated on 10-08-01 with 2nd operation 9-08-02. See signature for rest of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina D. Posted September 4, 2003 Author Share Posted September 4, 2003 Thank you everyone, and CONGRATS to everyone here who has kicked this ugly habit. It is a tough thing to do, even for the lightest of indulgers. Someone I know said "I may die from smoking, but I won't die a smoker". I feel the same. The damage it has done to all of us, even outside this ugly cancer is unbelievable, and will never go away. I have been stressing for a week or more over some severe pains in my chest and back, + a couple of other issues that were very out of the ordinary for me, even with the surgery. XRays were done, tests were run, and all came back negative for cancer (PHEW!) but showed COPD caused by the years of smoke and the surgery. Why it hasn't shown up before now, they don't know. Chest and back pain were/are topical, also probably caused by the surgery and a disease unrelated to cancer. (I am a middle aged female..what can I say) Even tho the results could be filed in the "Good News" forum, the stress and worry is the bad news that will live with us forever. This is what our weakness has done for us.I am so sorry I ever picked up my first one, and so sorry for the continuation of a habit I knew could cause problems. I just had no idea HOW much. They don't tell you about the emotional damage, only the physical. karen335 ~ I work in Corona and that is my medical group too. Who are your docs and do you like them? My GP is Dr. Leong and I am very happy with her! She is thorough to a fault! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judysdaughter Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 Well good for you!! That truly is a HUGE accomplishment. You know if we all lived in a perfect world then none of us would do anything that was bad for us (drink, eat unhealthy food, stress, not exercise, etc). But we don't, so..... don't beat yourself up. You quit 6 months ago and that is that. You rock girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanna M. Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 Good for you!!!!! I know that is a hard accomplishment!!! I quit also, when I got pregnant with my daughter a little over 3 years ago. From time to time now I sneak a drag of a friend's cig or a whole one when having a drink. So I know just what you meant about that. I am embarrassed to admit I do that!!! I really have to put an end to that, I know better. You should be very proud of yourself, I am!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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