I smoked for 34 years. On November 15, 2005, I went to the hospital. I had pnemonia. My breathing was labored and my lung had dropped from so much fluid. I was told I would be on oxygen the rest of my life. I quit smoking right then. Seven months later I was off the oxygen and I never picked up another cigarette.
I was scared to death. I was only 50.
Rachael's Success Story
A lot of factors came together for me to successfully quit. In October 2005, I decided I would quit, but I wanted to wait until after the holidays so I could have my Marlboro comfort through any family stress. By Christmas, I was disgusted with cigarettes and myself- I was really talking myself into quitting. That was when I saw a newspaper ad for a smoking cessation class through the American Lung Association. I signed up. I had a long-range plan that I was working on- stepping down gradually: 100s to kings, light to ultra-light, menthol to nonmenthol... all delaying actually quitting but somehow I was convinced it was how I could pull it off. I had never attempted to quit before because I enjoyed smoking and did not want to fail. Well, in the class, they set a quit date for us. I was mad. I wanted to quit my quitting class. But I stuck with it. I even qut on our quit date, reassuring myself with the thought that if I failed, I might still be on track with the original plan. So I quit on January 24, 2006. I cheated 7 times in the next 2 weeks- 7 cigarettes in 14 days after smoking a pack a day! My last cigarette was after the last class meeting, one last smoke to celebrate my "graduation". Although it sounds like I was on track for failure, I haven't smoked since then. Not once. The class really helped me, along with having a plan. I would recommend them both to everyone. Plus I chewed Nicorette and regular gum, ate tons and tons of jelly bellys and candy cigarettes, chewed and sucked on straws, and obsessively did Sudoku puzzles to keep myself occupied.
Nobody thought I could do it.
Nobody believes that of all people, I am now a non-smoker.
Really, I am still a smoker; I'll always be one deep down.
I'm just a non-practicing one. ;)
I offer my support to anyone hoping to quit and do so successfully.
Lisa's Success Story
I started smoking when I was around 15. I tried so many times before to quit. Cutting back, chewing gum, nicotrette, the patch, carrott sticks you name I tried it. This time it was a little bit different.
My 13 year old daughter was my suppport and my kick me in the A** person. I knew if I continued she would have more of a chance to be a smoker and I did not want to be her reason to smoke.
So this time I did it all at the same time. I cut back, bought a cheap kind of smokes, I made a new year resolution, I used the patch, I chewed gum, had life savers, a friend of mine quit too earlier I figured if they can I can and then everyone said yea right (so I had to prove them wrong).
I did cheat one time, 7 days into it, but mainly just held it between my fingers. Then I went and showered that smell off of me and cried. I asked myself, why did you just do that? I was so mad at myself.
I still think about it, oh you can have one no big deal, then I think of my daughter, that day in the shower and say NO WAY!!!
Miss D's Success Story
I've been thinking about it a lot lately. The filter of a cigarette resting between the split of my lips as I slowly inhale all the worries, stresses and anxieties that have been plaguing me over the last few months. It's even starting to smell good again. This, my friends, is no good. I'm trying to stay strong, walking away every time there's a temptation. I sense it's because I'm coming up on the one year mark of my quit date and it's a lot of pressure considering I've never really committed to anything this long (except for of course smoking for nearly 10 years).
I mean, I have every confidence I'll get through this stage and will continue to live a smoke free life. I make a choice every day not to smoke, always reminding myself that I can always stop at a gas station and pick myself up a pack if I really need to. Then, I remember how good I feel when I walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded, how pleasant my breath, clothes and hair smell without the musty smell of stale smoke. Mainly, I'm trying to focus on the most important reason why I quit. That reason was no longer allowing this to control my life. If I let this one thing stand against the power of my will, then what hope did I have for conquering all of the other demons that plagued my life? The answer was, "I'm going to kick the shit out of this habit." Now, here we are, 11 months into my reformation.
Perhaps you're thinking I'm taking this way too seriously and I'm being somewhat dramatic about the whole thing. That's fine; you can think whatever you want. It's not going to change the fact that I'm actually proud of myself for once in my life. I'll just continue to chew on my gum for as long as necessary. If it ends up screwing with my dental work, fuck it! It's cheaper to get a new set of teeth than it is to get a new pair of lungs.
When I quit, it was like losing an old friend, one that had always been there for me; through good times and bad. I had to remember that this old friend was secretly plotting against me, running rampant through my lungs, depositing tar and things of the like. If I remained true to this "friend," it was just going to give me cancer and/or emphysema. What kind of friend is that? A friend with carcinogenic properties is no friend of mine.
To everyone who wants to quit…do it. To everyone who has quit…you're a badass. To everyone who never started smoking…you're a bunch of lucky bastards. If you've made it this far through the blog, thanks, I appreciate you listening.
Quitter's Details
Status:
Single
Zodiac Sign:
Sagittarius
Occupation:
Stroke Prevention Activist
Quitter is happy to be smoke-free! Posted at 6:08 AM Feb 13, 2008 view more
How did you quit smoking (or quit chewing tobacco)?
Cold Turkey Tapering Nicotine Patch Nicotine Gum Nicotine Lozenge Acupuncture Hypnosis Medication I'm still working on quitting I have never smoked Other
The National Cancer Institutes Smoking Quitline
1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) offering proactive counseling by trained personnel.
1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) For free support with a trained counselor, who will talk to you whether you are ready to quit or just thinking about it.
American Cancer Society Quitline 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) A a clinically proven, free telephone-based counseling program.
American Lung Association 1-866-QUIT-YES (1-800-784-8937) Smoking Cessation Hot Line.
American Legacy Foundation's Great Start?1-866-66-START (1-866-667-8278) - a quitline for pregnant smokers.
Find local Nicotine Anonymous meetings by calling
(415) 995-1938 or online at nicotine-anonymous.org.
Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.
20 Minutes After Quitting
Your heart rate drops.
12 hours After Quitting
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.
1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Your Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
1 Year After Quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
5 Years After Quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.
10 Years After Quitting
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
15 Years After Quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.
The Benefits of Quitting
Compared to smokers, your…
Stroke risk is reduced to that of a person who never smoked after 5 to 15 years of not smoking
Cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus risks are halved 5 years after quitting
Cancer of the larynx risk is reduced after quitting
Coronary heart disease risk is cut by half 1 year after quitting and is nearly the same as someone who never smoked 15 years after quitting
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk of death is reduced after you quit
Lung cancer risk drops by as much as half 10 years after quitting
Ulcer risk drops after quitting
Bladder cancer risk is halved a few years after quitting
Peripheral artery disease goes down after quitting
Cervical cancer risk is reduced a few years after quitting
Low birth weight baby risk drops to normal if you quit before pregnancy or during your first trimester
Quit Tobacco—Make Everyone Proud announces a new level of support for U.S. military personnel who are ready to quit tobacco.
Our new SMS campaign will send regular text messages of support to service members wanting to quit. Sign up by texting UCANMY to 35350 or visit http://www.ucanquit2.org/quittips/default.aspx
Quitting tobacco is hard work, but it’s easier when everyone’s in it together. Join us in celebrating WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY (WNTD) this Sunday, May 31st. If you or someone you know in the U.S. military is ready to quit tobacco, we can help.
Hey! I am looking for submissions for the group album on photobucket "Lung Cancer Awareness". That way, we can get all the graphics in one place. Please, upload any that you have...Thanks so much!
I am glad to be your friend. Quitting smoking has not only saved my life. It has brought me freedom friendship and a whole new family of people. My favorite site is http://www. ffsonline. org/ it is one of the best sites.
Happy New Year! Thanks for being our friend. Please accept our comment so you can educate your visitors! If any of your friends want to help educate their community about hepatitis C have them send us a message.
Hep C Aware - ARE YOU?
Hepatitis C is a systemic blood borne virus that primarily attacks the liver. It is spread by blood to blood contact 1 in 50 Americans have HCV - 2 out of 3 do not know it. THERE IS NO VACCINE FOR HEPATITIS C
Risk factors! Have you: >received blood, blood products, or an organ transplant prior to 1992? >ever shared drug paraphernalia? injecting or snorting >ever been stuck by a used blood needle? >been on kidney dialysis? >had a tattoo or body piercing? >had sexual activity that involves contact with blood? >shared personal cars items(razors, toothbrushes, etc.) with other people? >been incarcerated >been in combat (especially vietnam veterans)
If you answered YES to any of these questions, you may have been exposed to the Hepatitis C virus GET TESTED!
PLEASE VISIT THESE WEBSITES FOR INFO AND SUPPORT www. HepCChallenge. org www. HepCAdvocate. org
HepCAware. org will be at the MusiCares booth at NAMM in Anaheim this week. Message me for more details.
I need some input/ advice. I have been smoking so long I am having some trouble adjusting... what I need, specifically right now, is some input as to places I can go and have fun this weekend (in order to celebrate *hopefully* my first ten days smoke-free AND my first week of Grad School).
I can't go to a bar... I will lose my mind with the smokers and the smell and too much beer. Beer is not my friend right now (I don't think there has ever been a more blasphemous thing come out of my brain:)
I can't really go out to eat for two reasons 1- I'm on a diet and my choices are limited, and 2- all my friends smoke, so I would be the one left alone at the table after the meal..... dying for a cigarette, and most likely caving.
Ditto for going to a movie.
So should I just chain myself to the radiator, or is there something that I can do that will get me out of the house, be at least remotely fun, and not full of temptation (extra points if it's not a solo activity) ?
A Warm and Congratulatory Happy Birthday to the Sponsor of "Quitter"! Although cigarette smoking has never been an issue for me, compulsive overeating has been! I admire the warmth, honesty and courage that is lavishly presented here; and I honestly trust and believe You will continue to receive greater acclaim as your profile on MySpace becomes better known! Thank you for the gift of your friendship and always remember how Proud I am of You!
