Quitting smoking after diagnosis

Rhiannon061

Is there anyone out there who couldn’t kick the habit right away after being diagnosed?I was diagnosed on May 4th and here I am still smoking like a chimney. I’ve been a smoker for 17 years now and with all the stress I’m experiencing I’m having a hard time even trying to cut back on smoking. I just contacted the Tobacco Quit line though and will be receiving my patches and gum in the next 10 days. Anyone else had this problem with quitting? How long did it take you to stop? My surgeon told me if I choose to have amastectomy with immediate reconstruction that I will not qualify for the surgery if I am still smoking.

Egads007

Rhiannon - I had my last smoke 10 minutes before my first chemo. The dragging fatigue chemo gives definitely helped my quit. Almost like a sedative effect. It’s been 4.5 years smoke free now ...what a diff! I’m not going to suggest anything to you as I know how difficult even getting to the point of quitting is, and how annoying being told why you should quit is...you’re already aware of why. It’s a real addiction. Calling and getting help is an awesome first step so yay you!! All I can tell you is that it seems to come in 3s. 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months etc are strangely when it hits the hardest, so watch yourself carefully at those times. It gets easier after the 9 month point. If/when you hit a year you might’ve find yourself so proud of beating it that you won’t look back.

There is a quit smoking thread in the boards, you might find support there. Feeling accountable to folks helps enormously, both here and in real life.Hit me up anytime you need or want for help too. Best of luck and again congrats on the first step you took!

IzzyShepherd

I also had trouble quitting at first. I was diagnosed December 18 on my dad's birthday. He passed away before Easter so this was the first birthday and Christ mas without him. All the stress made it hard for me and to top it off my husband smoked. I was determined that I would not enter into radiation smelling like smoke. Toward the end of January I was finally able to stop. I used some of the patches but they irritated my skin and my husband went on chantix and now we are both smoke free. I feel much better and so does he. I don't even think about wanting to smoke anymore. Stopping is the single most important thing that you can do for yourself. Keep telling yourself that. If I was able to do it so can you. Good luck

Diane

VVV

When I was diagnosed I started smoking more too but I planned on quitting before treatment started. I also started wellbutrin and basically completely lost the desire to smoke. I think both those things had something to do with it. It was really surreal how easy it was to stop. I think the reason for wanting to quit has helped a lot since I'm more dedicated than when it's more about "I should really quit smoking". I haven't had any cravings for nicotine at all really. So it's possible to be successful!

Nurselola1973

I quit for a few days after diagnosis then kept buying them, having a few and throwing them away! Last cigarette was May 12th, I had lumpectomy May 15th. No desire to smoke now. I’m freaked out that the cancer spread to one lymphnode so thats enough to scare me to stay smoke free

illimae

I waited until all staging tests and biopsies were done, then stopped. My hubs switchedto a vape which is not a temptation for me. I’ve smoked a few times on vacation or at a bbq/birthday party but it lasts only a day or three and I go back to many months smoke free right after.

Mucki1991

I quit smoking by switching to vaping then lowering my nicotine levels over time. The reason you should try to quit before reconstruction is smoking causes issues with blood flow and that is a major concern with reconstruction. I know its a horrible time to quit smoking but when compared to a possible failed reconstruction I was terrified.

Best wishes for you and quitting

Lorih555

yes I’m with you. Of all times to be trying to quit- when you’re the most stressed sad angry confused you’ve ever been before in your life. I’m in the same boat. Diagnosed may 21 & keep thinking once I stop sobbing & find a surgeon I don’t hate I’ll be able to focus on *that* extremely difficult next task. Give yourself a break is my advice. Idk I’m so bummed rn I can’t imagine not having a puff or two every now & then. This sucks.

Rhiannon061

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement, it’s been a stressful month since being diagnosed. Especially since I had my PET scan and found out the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes. I was initially told by my gynecologist that my nodes were clear. I do plan to quit before my surgery. Every doctor appt leaves me feeling overwhelmed, my relationship with my boyfriend has changed since my diagnosis. He’s distant, mean and emotionally unavailable for me. I’m prepared to go through this without him. It’s such an isolating feeling having cancer. I haven’t really processed it all and feel very alone. Smoking is helping me cope right now.

CarolAnnieLumpLump

I was disgnosesd on June 5th, had my last cig June 21. So it hasn’t even been two weeks yet. I am using a 0mg nicotine vape. I wanted to to taper down but the store didn’t carry anything lower than 11mg. So I bought the 0’s and have toughed it out. The last few days I have been an emotional train wreck. I am going to add a little nicotine back into my system with a mistic ecig from walmart. Hoping that will help with the emotional breakdowns.

Good luck all, it’s really tough to quit under the best times. We are fighting to two battles. Stay strong!

msphil

hello sweetie when doc called and asked me if I was home alone I knew right away my Fiancee was at work I called him he came home ASAP but I was at my parents by then.But before I left I took my cigarettes threw on floor and stomp them Never smoked again n Never had the urge I blamed the cigs for my diagnosis. But I stayed Positive thru treatment and Praise God I am a 24yr Survivor. Never smoked again. ms Phil. idc stage2 0/3nodes 3mo chemo before n after Lmast got married was planning Our 2ns wedding when diagnosed got married after chemo and before the 7wks rads. 5yrs on Tamoxifen. I have a book on Amazon.com n Barnes n Noble titled "The Healings of Cancer"(A Physical And Spiritual Healing Of My Body And Soul. Some proceeds go to American Cancer Society.

MinusTwo

I'd like to invite all of you to join us on the ongoing Stop Smoking Support Thread that CarolAnnie mentioned. There are tons of tips and lots of ways we've all either succeeded or are still trying.

Our motto - JUST FOR TODAY I WILL NOT SMOKE

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/152/topic...