Stop Smoking Support Thread

Edited to remove duplicate post.... I MUST keep repeating that patience is a virtue... lol

Diagnosis: 5/8/2009, ILC, 2cm, Stage IIa, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Karen,

Congratulations on completing the HARDEST months in quitting smoking!! It becomes easier and easier from here!!! 

I really know what you mean by your Grandchildren being just so proud of you....

 I have done MANY things in my life that I thought 'Wow, I did a great job' or "Wow, I can't believe I had the courage to do that, but I did" .... In my childrens' eyes the accomplishment of my quitting smoking is the one thing that I have done that they are probably the most proud of... Go figure! 

Thanks for reminding me that today is Friday... Last week was just terribly busy and I totally  forgot to check-in at E-LAB .  Going to head over there now!!!  I MUST say you are just doing  AMAZING in the exercise department!!!!  I am in AWE!!!!  Keep up the good work!

karen:

congratulations!  It is really important to offer encouragement and support and that's what we do here....what a great bunch of ladies here!  They were here for me and it's been wonderful.

Jan

Karen,

For BARBARA's party...... OH YEAH!!! You got that right!!!

Barb - how is this for HOT...

Hi all.  I had to quit smoking-my PS said he wouldn't do reconstruction if I didn't.  He said he wouldn't be the "smoking police", but would just postpone my surgery.  He said it affects the blood flow to the area.  I'm having nipple sparing PBMX and he said the only women he's seen who have lost their nipples (3) admitted to him after that they had been smoking.

  I quit May1'st.  No nicotine products either, so I had to give up the gum as well (which I pretty much chewed all day at work).  Good think I quit a tad early as his rule is no nicotrine for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after-I got called on Wed. and they moved my surgery to a week earlier!  So I will still make it because of quitting a bit earlier.

 It's not easy-as you all know, but I've wanted to quit for awhile and couldn't do it.  This, to say the least, has motivated me-and I'm doing it.  Not without some bad moments and days, but I knew that would happen.  I'm also worried about weight gain, but I'm trying to walk as much as I can. I want to go into this surgery as physically fit as I can  possibily be.

 I haven't given up my wine-anyone been told that they should stop using alcohol?  Neither my BS or PS said anything to me about it, so I'm just wondering.

  Pat

Pat - Welcome!   My PS said the same thing to me!  I quit cold turkey, used straws and bubbles to help when the urge got really strong.  It was hard and there were days, but we just celebrated my 2 year quit-a-versary a couple weeks ago  and it was a blast!   

First things first: Wow, 02b. Chocolate and a hot guy. Does it get any better than that.

Pat: Welcome and hang in there. I quit too because my BS and PS said smoking would interfere with healing. That got me started, and so far I've managed to stay quit for 9 months and I hope it is forever! Go back through this thread and read for some tips. You can do it and it will be soooooo worth it!!

Welcome Pat!

Sorry the responses have been a little slow in coming but, Karen is right, things tend to slow down a little on the week-ends.  Probably been extra slow this week-end since we've had our first decent weather that we've had for weeks on the east coast!

Congrats on 3 WEEKS!!!  Those first weeks are the worst and you are already past that!!! Will there be tough times still, sure!  But, will it also get better each week from here on out... Absolutely!!!  AND you will have the support of all of us here to get you through!

I took the approach that I would first concentrate on quitting no matter what it took... Then once I had that under control I would deal with any weight gain after the fact... Just started tackling that now!!  As Karen mentioned, there is a thread that lends support in that area, too!!! 

As far as wine... I have not given that up!  I still enjoy a glass or two!  I was honest on my medical forms that I filled out for each of my doctor's and no one said anything about it.  I also know there have been studies that have mentioned a link between alcohol and breast cancer.  Just as there have been links between red meat and Lord knows how many other things...

Point being... We all have to find a balance that we can live with and each of us has to decide what risks they are willing to accept... This, I believe, is a very individual choice and will be as different for each of us as we are from each other!

I hope that you will join us and that you will continue to do well!!  The ladies here really are a great bunch!!!

What date is your surgery?

Hi, back from the mountains, we have a camper in the woods and it is my weekend get-a-way from April through October.  I don't know what I would do without this escape.

Seaside, I think you are right, we need a roll call...we need to prepare for the parties (I need to work on my party pictures...Jan was right, that cat was scary, looked more like he was trying to climb out of something rather than dancing the happy dance...)

o2b thanks for the visual but since my diagnosis i have to admit I looked more at the chocolate (please someone, tell me that i will feel sexual again some day)

Pat, congratulations on 3 weeks!  I didn't have a lot of time to prepare to quit before my surgery and my surgeons still went through with my surgery.  I quit the night before and so far have remained smoke free.  It has not been easy but this thread has been a great help.  I come here often to read about the experiences of the other ladies, they have been a great inspiration.

whatever they do, they can't take my wine away from me...

{{{JAN}}}

Hi ladies, had the most severe craving for a cigarette, had a trying day which left me feeling sad and so want a cigarette to help me get by.  I am chewing big time on a straw and did the excercise bike for an hour, still want to smoke but am thinking of sweets last advice to me to "stay strong".  Where are you sweet, missing you.  Karen

LadyInBama thanks for the suggestion, i will check out that thread.

Karen I so understand the craving, I'm having a tough time right now too but we have to get passed this for this moment right?

My DH and I were never blessed with children, I convinced him that cats would occupy our time, so we took in 2 stray's.  Well, my last baby is now 16 years old and was never sick in her life.  Wednesday the 11th, the day after I was told by my MO that I was "cancer free", my little Josie got sick and I've been running her to the vet for all sorts of issues.  This little thing has been my lap baby all her life and kept me company and amused throughout my diagnosis, surgery and treatments.  I really hope I don't have to "make a decision" right now.

I'm sorry to  gush over a cat...

Ladyin Bama--thanks for your kind words. I don't know what happened. I had a "found" dog that I was trying to find a home for. The dog healer says that he attacked Joey --and Joey was frozen with fear. The vet says he has a bulging disc, Joey isn't talking.

After 2 sessions with Joyce (the healer), Joey is moving his legs and has started wagging his tail. he still slips and slides on the tile but I have faith he will have a complete (or almost) recovery. Have a joyous day!