Stop Smoking Support Thread

Hey LisaMarie.  Sorry about the Paxil.  Luckily there are lots of different things to try so do tell your doc.  Can't remember - is your Mother in Phoenix?  I know she's West of you but that's not hard to figure (ha ha).  I'm assuming you won't have surgery before you go?

Yesterday was Herceptin #15.  Only two more to go!!  Those nurses are the chemo center are great but I'm looking forward to never seeing them again.  Harsh but true.

Lisamarie--Enjoy Vegas. One of my favorite places to visit. I'm only 4 hours away and used to go there on business all the time. If you go to any of the shows, check with the same day ticket place first but don't buy there. Go to the box office and ask them to beat the same day ticket price. It has always worked for me since they pay a commission to the same day ticket office and they would rather you buy directly from them instead. 

MinuseTwo--Hallelujah! Such a great feeling knowing that  you know longer have treatments but also scary because.....now what. At least during treatment we are actively doing something to stop cancer but once we are in remission, I felt like I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

I was doing a speaking engagement for Gilda's club on Wednesday and I realized my 4 year can-iversary was on the 2nd and I totally forgot about it. The first time I had cancer I remembered it every year for over 15 years (of course I was on meds for 10 which was a constant reminder). Then about year 16 or 17, someone asked when my can-iversary was--and it was about a month before--and I was shocked that it had passed without me remembering. It had almost become like remembering my birthday. 

VJ thanks for the info been going to vegas for years , Mom lives there so we usually get free shows and stuff... I always have a great time . This time im helping Mom as she is sick .. I am just gonna make some more memories with her and relax.. May hit a show with my brother ... 

Happy friday Ladies ... hope all is well..xoxoxox

LisaMarie 

Veritas - welcome.  We have ex-smokers, people still smoking, people determined to quit - the entire spectrum.  All are welcome.   I'm amazed that your docs didn't coerce you into stopping.  And where in the USA are you that you could still smoke on the hospital grounds, let alone in a hospital?  I want to come to that place.  

Actually I'm amazed to say I just passed my 7 year mark as "a smoker who is not smoking".  If you read back most of us feel we will never be non-smokers.  Just people who are not smoking.  And our motto is "just for today I will not smoke".  Everyone used different techniques to quit - but I think the key is you have to have an incentive & want to quit.  My incentive was osteopenia. Smoking definitely isn't good for thinning bones due to waning estrogen, and I didn't want the side effects from the bisphosphonates like Fosamax.  I used Chantix to help me quit and swear by it.  Others used patches or e-cigs or...  They will chime in.  And VJ will send you info about her quit smoking booklet.

Don't worry if you're still smoking.  Here's the place where EVERYONE understands how hard it is.  No embarrassment necessary for slip-ups or do-overs or just getting started.

Hi ladies .... I'm chiming in now!  Welcome Veritas ..... you will love the girls here.  So I was at 60th birthday party weekend for those turning 60 (not my turn yet - next year).  Out of 15 people, only 8 of us are nonsmokers .... the rest were smokers who quit and went back for whatever reason.  One guy said to me that I could never have one because I would be right back at it .... he's right.  I stood outside with them but never had the urge to have one.  I was disappointed to see one guy who together we did the laser therapy and he swore he was a nonsmoker, never would go back, and you know the rest of the sentence.  AND, there he was having a smoke but when he saw me, he threw it away.  I'm not here to pass a sentence or judgment on anyone because I know how flipping hard it is but it was like he was embarrassed and didn't want me to see.  So, I can only conclude that the embarrassment was all his.  Funny, a few said they were going to quit as they fell off of the wagon but I know how hard it must be for them.  In the grand scheme of things, it will be done on your own timetable.  Never, ever beat yourself up!  LisaMarie, Vegas ..... you are lucky.  Been there twice and loved it.  Now I'm off to New York next weekend - my first time.  Excited!  MinusTwo .... so happy to hear that your near closure on this treatment .... about time.   I agree, never want to see those people again .... not mean but I'm sure they understand.  Ladies, have a great day!

Veritas .... glad you got that off of your shoulders .... it does feel good saying it.  We all want to believe that it isn't bad but Surgeon Generals know best.  I had a million and one excuses but the one I said to myself when I was very young was "if I get cancer then I'll deal with it".  Maybe it was a pact I made with myself because 30++ years later, I had to deal with it.  I quit on the spot but that was my choice.  Now I struggle from time-to-time not to light up because it's been almost 4 years since my diagnosis but, in my heart of hearts, I can't do it because I would be right back and making all the excuses.  Just tonight on my walk with dh, I again commented on my friend who I did the laser therapy with and saw smoking, how disappointed it was to see.  But, we all make our own choices and have to deal with whatever.  For me, whatever has happened and I can only go forward from there.  Keep it up, it will happen.  Just take one step at a time.

Hi LisaMarie .... I'm off to New York this coming weekend with my dh and friends.  Both are firefighters so we plan on doing the 911 memorial and whatever else these birds come up with.  The friends are "seasoned" travellers to New York and have big plans.  I'm staying in NYC somewhere near Times Square.  Close to you?????

Another positive thought - you can actually travel w/o going nuts on the planes & in the airports w/no place to smoke.

MinusTwo .... you made me laugh.  I remember when I smoked and was travelling to the Turks and Caicos.  I was in Charlotte airport and asked where the smoking section was ..... outside just before the parking.  Off I went, enjoyed my smoke and came in .... can you believe it, I had to go through security again.  Thank God I had all my travel documents and didn't leave them with dh .... he would have enjoyed a great holiday.  LisaMarie, no only in for the weekend.  It would have been great meeting you but in all honesty, you don't live that far away from me .... what 3 hours most.  I'm sure we will meet up soon and we are all an inspiration to one another.  You sound good .... glad to hear!

Hi Lisamarie...best wishes for an uneventful surgery and for a WONDERFUL trip to Las Vegas! Enjoy...you so deserve this.

I am at work with very little free time as this is our busiest month of the year but check in and lurk more than I post these days.

Hugs to all and "Just for today, I will NOT smoke!"

Judi - looking forward to hearing about your NYC trip when you get a minute.  I still remember my first trip with my parents when I was 13.  I took my son when he was 14.  Funny - decided i needed to take him to tea at the Ritz with the teen daughter of a friend who lived in the village.  After devouring the tray of tea sandwiches that cost the moon, they both ask if we could order another tray (NOT).  His highlight was probably a sail on one of the tall ships when they let him take the helm.  Or maybe getting a false ID on 43rd St.  Or maybe the "back room" tour of making the dioramas at the Museum of Natural History.  So many great things to see & do.  Gee - I need get back there again.

Hi LisaMarie, I wish for you the very best possible outcome for you surgery. VJ

LisaMarie - Thinking of you.  Hope you have time to check in before you go to your Moms.

YAY LisaMarie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hoping your trip is wonderful and happy and fun!! No swimming means you will have to do other things...maybe casino or shows or shopping or gambling or anything! Enjoy!! So happy surgery went well!! xoxoxoxo

Bosum - so glad to see you back.  How frustrating they've put your surgery off until January.  Is it because of further treatments?  Glad you're not beating yourself up about the smoking.  Just set a time when you're ready and give it another go.  I don't recommend waiting until the stress of the holidays - LOL. Can't remember - did you use Chantix or patches or e-smokes?

One of the big benefits of quitting for me was the extra money.  I had my carpets & all furniture steam cleaned and cleaned or washed all drapes & clothes.  That was sure an incentive not to start again.  I'd never been a shopper but I spent time in stores & walking the malls where I couldn't smoke and ended up treating myself to numbers of things.  Also joined "Curves", my first entrance into an exercise program in years.  Couldn't smoke there either & I spent an hour doing the circuit most days after work.