Stop Smoking Support Thread

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  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2012

    1. Learn the difference between a slip and a relapse.

    • A slip is an "oops", "I slipped and smoked one or two cigarettes".
    • A slip means there is something more to learn about becoming smoke-free.
    • A relapse is going back to full time smoking or the development of a pattern of smoking such as "I only smoke three a day, after every meal", or "I only smoke when I drink." Or smoking every day for one week.

    2. Learn what to do if you do slip and smoke one or two cigarettes:
    • Re-commit to becoming smoke free. Don't let a slip turn into a relapse.
    • Avoid thinking you have failed. A slip means a situation came up that overwhelmed your ability to cope.
    • Use the slip as a learning experience. What happened? What can I do instead when this situation comes up again?
    • Let a slip slide.

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  • LadyinBama
    LadyinBama Member Posts: 1,132
    edited April 2012

    Welcome babsbrink.

    FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! I'm getting my nipple (aerola sp?) tattoes on Monday. The lady who does them for my PS had been out on sick leave for months. This will be the final thing in my reconstruction. About time ... it's been almost two  years!!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Bana - WOOHOO!  That is great news.  So glad you are able to finish the final step.

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2012

    YAY Bama, finishing up that last step, so happy for you.  hugs, Karen

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited April 2012

    Great definitions, VJSL and Maria, you go girl!  Just ordered my 0% nicotine Cloud9 ecig kit.  Starting to feel the anxiety from not smoking as I am winding down off the Chantix.  Quit smoking 1/13/12 using it.  Between that and chewing on cocktail straws or gum I should be fine.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012
    Galsal - I also have the Cloud9 ecig.  If you have any questions or run into problems just let me know.  For convienence I am using the cartomizers.  I also have the drops that I can use on the cartomizers when they need recharging.  
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  • babsbrink
    babsbrink Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for all the warm welcomes and terrific tips. I really hope I don't gain too much weight. That is one of my fears. I have an ecig.(from a previous attempt) not Cloud9, it's called the safe cig.  All the cartridges I have are laced with nicotine, maybe I should order some without it. And as soon as I get done typing this, I'll go throw the old ones out. I never even thought about them being here..

    Bama - great news!! It's about time I would say!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited April 2012

    Babs, you can get them to wean on down in levels of nicotine too if you'd like.  I'm at zero since haven't smoked in months.  Send a PM to Jo and can't think of the other person.  Both shared with me the name of their brand. 

    Just read on another topic thread someone was having trouble with Celexa and Tamoxifen.  So, have to wonder if that's more of the issue at play here.

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2012

    Babs and Galsal, it was me - I used the direct e cig, avaiable on line, it is more expensive than Jo's though.  It too comes in weaning off mg. down to 0.  Karen

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Babs - There is nothing wrong with using the nicotine e-cigs and weaning yourself down to zero.  That is what I did and it was so much easier for me.  I still use a zero nic e-cig since I live with a smoker.  As Galsal said, you can send me a PM anytime you like.

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  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,184
    edited April 2012

    Hi, just popping in to give my 2 cents about how hard it is to quit.  I quit at the tender age of 55 - the day I got my diagnosis.  The diagnosis was such a shock that I figured the smoking caused it - yeah right!  I started smoking at 16 and considered mysef a "hard core smoker".  My smoking was cut down to about 10 smokes a day prior to the diagnosis but loved to "light up" when a friend called or had a drink.  I am now smoke free coming up to 16 months and there is not a day goes by that I don't think about cigarettes.  I think about it but don't actually think about going to buy them to light up.  Yet, when a smoker is around me, I find it bothers me.  Bottom line, you will quit when you are ready and you will know when that is.  Don't beat yourself up because you just go back to it.  Take it one day at a time.  I keep thinking "I wonder what my lungs look like now".  Good luck on your quest!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2012

    Judi and all:  I quit almost 5 years ago & had an X-ray of my lungs before my mastectomy in Feb 2011.  The films were clear & didn't show any evidence that I'd been a smoker.   Amazing.

    Just for today ladies !!!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Today is 9 months smoke free for me!!!  After many years of trying, this must have been my time.  It will be interesting to see what my next chest x-ray will show.  3 days and counting for recon surgery.  So ready to get it over with.

                                

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    Congrats Jo , Love ur picture  I have a tattoo of Thumper on my shoulder blade :) I will be in ur pocket for ur recon and I will try to be quiet ! ... Luv and Hugs to u .. I am 6 weeks and 6 days ... free of cigs ... :) and i will continue to rock on ...

    I want toi say helllo to everyone ...

    Just for today I will not smoke :)  

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Good Morning Lisamarie - You rock girlfriend - keep it up!

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2012

    Hi Jo, and I knew you at one day.  You have done such a remarkable job in the presence of other smokers on a daily basis!!!!  And now just 3 days till reconstruction, Great, great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love, Karen  Lisamarie, you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   6weeks, 6 days, you have been rockin', I knew you when too.  Is this a great support group or what.hugs, Karen

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Karen - This is THE best support group!!!

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    Karen and Jo , This is an butt kicking most awsome support group :) 

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited April 2012

    Thanks, Karen!  Didn't want to have to quit what I was typing to go back through PMs to see.  LOL

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2012

    I know I hate to do that too and half the time my mind is like a sieve lately, I am still blaming radiation for that and that will be 3 years on October 31, but it sounds like abetter excuse than age.

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  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,184
    edited April 2012

    Congrats to all the nonsmokers!  Everyday is one step further for us!  MinusTwo, thanks for the info.  You know, between my first and second surgeries, I had to do a chest x-ray.  I was so scared, even though I new the cancer had not gone to my lungs.  However, after all the abuse I gave my lungs, it was more scarcy then the first surgery.  But I think once we make up our minds (so they tell us but I've quit many times) then we are done.  Jo1955, best of luck on your upcoming surgery ... gentle hugs!

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    7 weeks smoke freee today !!! woop woop .. I tell ya , I am 5 weeks free from any nicotine ..now that PS wnated me 3 weeks nicotine free before surgery , whats he gonna say when I am 6 weeks free .. haha I doubled that figure  So proud of myself ... doing the Happy Dance ... Love u ladies ..

    Hey Karen , Galsal, Jo.seaside , minus two , maria , and everyone of u , if I can do this anyone can .. I was such a hard core smoker .. pack of Marlboro reds everyday (cowboy Killers) haha 

    Just for Today I will Not smoke :) 

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    lisamarie 

                                    

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2012

    YAY lisamarie, it is the greatest feeling to tell your doctor how long you've been a non-smoker.  Seven weeks, you're getting into the counting in months how long it has been, did you ever think you could do it, you are one strong lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I think you coined the pharse too, "just for today, I will not smoke", that was you wasn't it?  You and I quit on the same date, the 16th, it has been 15 months for me and like you I was a very heavy smoker and never thought I could quit, WE DID IT!  Karen   Morning Jo, your recycled teenagers are all gone!!!  YAY for you.

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    Karen , Yipppeee 15 months wow.. :):) yo have been a great motivator for me since I got here :) Yes I did Just for today I will not smoke .. lol I luv it .. nope never thought I could be this strong but I am  .. yes I am .. Luv u ladies .. between you and Jo .. i could cry and just bear hug ya both ... u helped me so much .. :) 

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Karen - WOOHOO on 15 months - you go girlfriend

                             

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited April 2012

    Lisamarie - I know Karen has been my rock.  You have also been a very big inspiration.  We all need a group hug.

                                

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited April 2012

    ALL of you have been an inspiration!!!

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    HUGZ..... and big KIss MUAH everyone 

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2012

    Thank you's to everyone, I love these group hugs and I'll take that kiss too, lisamarie.  This is just the BEST support group ever!!! hugs from one hugee to another hugee

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