Chemo and Smoking
Comments
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Hi, everyone
I wanted to start this conversation, because I am a smoker, not ready to quit yet due to the stress and anxiety of this cancer situation. I am starting chemo 4/22, and I wanted to get a feedback from some other smokers that have done or are presently under treatment.
Your input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Hi Angie, I am not a smoker but I totally understand how stressful this can be. Try to think how much less your body would have to fight your cancer if it did not have to get by the damage of your smoking. Your lungs and blood flow will work so much better giving you body the chance to just fight the cancer. I promise I know this would not be an easy thing to quit...but think of how good you would feel. I bet if you asked your onc they would have some really good ideas. Heck...the way my taste buds are working you may not like to taste in a bit. Hang in there and take small steps to get well. I know you can do anything if you try. Good luck.
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So it won't be stressful if you smoke?
I think you may find that the taste of cigarettes sucks once you start chemo.
Really, what better time to quit? What better time to commit to a new lifestyle that doesn't have cancer in its future?
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I worked at a hospital and was always amazed by the patients who would drag their IVs outside to have a smoke...
My grandfather smoked his way through Emphasemia & Lung Cancer treatment.
Try to harness all this change to your routine to stop. As a PP wrote, chemo is going to be equally stressful with or without the cigs- given that you may feel rotten, you might as roll quitting into the mix. I can certainly understand not wanting to quit until you are in treatment. The waiting stage was hard. Maybe you could look at the day you begin chemo as the Big Day Of Change. Consider the first few days after your first cycle (when you really may not WANT to smoke!) as a good time for some old-fashioned cold-turkey. I can't imagine a better time.
Things are going to be weird and sometimes that disruption can be good for changing habits... clinging to cigs to maintain "normalcy" is not so good...
If your family is anything like mine, we really hassled my grandfather when he was sick and smoking. Drove him NUTS! You REALLY don't want to be the bald cancer patient sneaking smokes like a teenager hiding under the bleachers at a football game. Those fights are difficult and frustrating for all.
You need your energy focused elsewhere.
Stephanie -
I don't think your really looking for help to stop smoking so I won't give any but I smoked....until the moment I heard the words cancer come out of my doctors mouth. I never took another drag. At that moment I knew my life depended on it, and honestly for those of you that are truly ready to quit, it was the easiest thing I did.
One other quick note, I've been in the medical field and for a doctor to tell a patient that trying to quit was a bad idea due to stress is just irresponsible because smoking itself puts so much stress on the body and fighting cancer you need all the energy for that. My mother continued to smoke during her treatments for colon cancer. She never used the excuse that it would be too stressful, she just didn't want to quit because she liked to smoke. So if thats the case then you should go ahead but if its not stress is not a very good excuse.
Teresa
Teresa
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Angie - hi there ... I smoke, and smoked through surgery, chemo and continue to smoke during radiation. You and I both know it would be great if we stopped, and we both know that we absolutely should stop. Geez, if getting the cancer diagnosis didn't make me stop ... anyways, we both know the story.
I had no change in anything that could be linked to smoking ... the side effects were no worse for me than they were for those patients who were non-smokers.
My surgeon, my oncologist and my radiologist all know I smoke. While they would like me to quit, they have all been understanding that it has to be my decision. They have only commented that "you know, it would be better for your body all around if you were to stop smoking".
You and I both know the realities ... as for will smoking make chemo worse - not in my experience. And, as for the stress issue - for me, there were already so many things that were out of my control and so many changes and so many things I had to say goodbye to (not the least of which were my boobs and my hair) that saying goodbye to cigarettes too ... not happening, not yet anyways.
So ... there's my two bits worth.
Laura ... still smoking ... in Victoria -
Hey Angie,
I'm not a smoker, but I come from a family of heavy smokers. I know one thing for sure -- nobody can make someone else quit (or even want to quit) by saying it's bad for him/her, that it's going to interfere with the body's ability to fight the cancer, that it's going to taste bad, etc.
The plain fact of the matter is that smoking is an addiction. Smokers are addicted to the behavior of smoking, to the pleasure and positive reinforcement of smoking, and -- most of all -- to the nicotine. It's one of the hardest addictive habits of all to break.
The simple truth is that you will quit smoking when you're ready, not when someone tells you to "just say no." (Does anyone remember the inanity and brainlessness of that injunction?) In the meanwhile, let the way you feel, physically and emotionally, decide your behavior as you struggle to get through treatment for BC.
Hugs,
Annie
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Hi Angie,
I don't know if your doctors are planning for you to have radiation treatments, but if so I think they should tell you that radiation for BC really increases the risk for primary lung cancer in women who have smoked, even those who have quit but were EVER smokers. This is a risk that really has to be weighed carefully. http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/73/conversation/699008?page=1#comment_799184
Here's a link to another discussion about smoking/trying to quit that you might find interesting:
http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/47/conversation/693138?page=1#comment_714273
I quit a year ago on March 24, about halfway between dx (March 9) and mastectomy/recon (April 16) -- my PS was very persuasive about how much better surgery and recovery would go if I wasn't smoking -- he was very cute and sweet -- I'm sure that didn't hurt ! -- he asked me to try to stop for a 6-week window for surgery, at least 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after. I had tried to quit a lot of times before. One thing is, you should view all attempts at quitting as "learning" how to quit (not as failures). In my many previous attempts at quitting, I learned a lot from discussions with friends who had been in 12-step programs for quitting other addictions. Too bad they don't have Smokers Anonymous, because the 12-step programs have a lot of helpful knowledge, like:
- "People, places, things" -- this means that you should avoid if you can or be very careful around the people, places and things that you associate with smoking.
- "One day at a time" -- don't get hung up on the deprivation of never having a cigarette ever again. Instead, you can think, "I don't need this cigarette right now, it's not the last one in the world. If I want a cigarette in the future, there will still be cigarettes." That's actually a very calming thought -- and a big part of what I sought in cigarettes was calm, so any kind of calming thought was helpful, even if the "content" of that thought doesn't seem very "anti-smoking"!
As I said on that thread I linked to -- this last time that I quit was the first time I really applauded myself and asked others to applaud me, too, for my successes in not having a cigarette that I really wanted. All the previous times, I just felt ashamed, and I don't think that was helpful at all.
I don't want to get into the middle of a discussion about "it's too stressful to quit"/"it's too stressful NOT to quit." That depends on each individual, and for each individual that depends on a particular moment. There ARE physical stresses to quitting. I hope it's okay that I shared a few things that worked for me.
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Hi Angie,
Unfortunately, I'm also a smoker. Smoked through mastectomy, chemo and radiation. In fact, the first thing that I would do leaving the chemo-lab would be to light up. Not nice, I know.
I never had a problem with nausea, not even on the "Red Devil". In retrospect, maybe that would've helped to stub out the awful habit, who knows?
And the feelings of guilt is killing me. I've been diagnosed with cancer, surely that must be a kick up the backside to quit! But no...
I'm starting with Smoke-enders this coming Saturday, and am actually really looking forward to it. I've never really tried to quit before, but can now not wait to be a non-smoker!
Best of luck with your treatment!
God bless,
Janine
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Angie - I am a smoker. When I was diagnosed, I started doing some research to see if this cancer was something I had given myself. BC is one of only two or three cancers that is NOT smoking related. I had no problems going through chemo or radiation. When the time comes I will put the cigarettes down, but until then, they are a crutch that helps during some pretty anxious times. Good luck to you!
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Angie, I am still smoking also. I did mention at the first appt with the onc that now is a great time to quit, but he said not now - wait until things settle down with the treatment. The nurses in the chemo "spa" also discouraged the attemp to quit at the beginning. Now eight weeks in and I've set the date to stop and am calling my primary for a prescription for chantix to help out.
I actually did try to quit before my first appt with a breast surgeon - but since that man was such a jerk, and treated us horribly - that plan went right out the window.
THe breast surgeon I see now commented that the plastic surgeons don't like to reconstruct if the patient is still smoking - it adds complications to that and the smoking impedes the healing of the scars.
It's a great thing to be able to quit, but don't beat yourself up if you can't do it right now. You will be ready at some point, then get some help to do it. If you're being treated at a BC center, they usually have a support group to help out.
BArbara
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Thank you ladies:
Well this is very interesting to get the feedback from the non-smokers and the smokers.
To the non-smokers, congratulations on never starting
To the Smokers, I understand exactly where you coming from
To the Trying to quit, Good luck on making it a success
Thanks
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Angie....there is a great new stop smoking medication on the market. Everyone I know who has used it or is using it has had great success. It's called Champix. You may want to ask your doctor about it. If you have drug benefits it may cover the cost for it. Our benefits company covers it. Check it out.
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Hi, Viv
I know about this drug, hey did you stop?, as recall from previous post you was also a smoker. Correct me if I am wrong.
How are you doing?, are you doing chemo?, I am, trust me very scared about it, but the ladies here have assure me is doable.
Regards
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Um, not everyone telling you to quit is necessarily a "non-smoker." I smoked cigarettes for 25 years. I know the "joys" of smoking. I also know all the bullcrap rationalizations for not quitting, since I practiced them for so many years. I quit 10 years ago and really barely have missed it ... just a bit right after quitting.
It's your choice, of course.
It takes some real effort to justify smoking as you are fighting cancer. If I still smoked I'd quit, simply because I am trying to do everything that is in my power to help the treatments rid my body of cancer. Doing something that is slowly CAUSING cancer somewhere else in my body would not be consistent with that.
Good luck. I found it was not as hard to quit as I thought it would be.
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Angie,
Im sorry this has turned into such a lecture for you....
I also smoke and have to state the same as Madalyn, all my oncologists and other doctors told me not to try to quit while in treatment, but did also say that they would really like to see me quit as soon as I could after treatment.
I dont feel I have to justify my smoking or reasons for not quitting to anyone. But I do feel I need to listen to my doctors advice...they said that to try to quit while in treatment is too rough on mind and body.....They IN NO WAY support smoking but they said unless you just suddenly got an aversion to it from treatment that its better to wait.
Dont pressure yourself to do something that you are not ready to do....you are going through enough with out that too....get yourself through this then step on the path to quitting if you havent already...
Hugs
Jule
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You know..this topic is like talking about religion or politics....lol....theres no middle ground. I wish everyone the best in whatever they choose to do and feel is best for them.
Teresa
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Hi ladies,
Just going to join in here on this topic , if you don't mind..Here's my thoughts, I was dx almost 8 yrs ago with original bc, had bilateral mast. chemo , radiation, c/trial herceptin for 1 yr. and tamox for almost 5 yrs. I had everything they could throw at me since I was young and healthy (except for bc) and was trip +++. Never smoked a cig in my life NEVER, (both parents smoked and quit --it just wasn't for me)..Also knew if I ever started I would be one who would have a really hard time stopping. Yeap you guessed it...Lung mets ..go figure ..how could that be ??? I never smoked ..Well , I don't think b/c really cares what you do, who you are , or how old you are. I'm sure smoking doesn't help and I'm not encouraging it, but if you are going through a tough time it's probably not the time to worry about quitting.
Neither my husband or I ever smoked, yet my son went off to college and started. Blew us away...Never saw it coming.. I tryed to get him to quit, as a mother does, but with no luck. Then when I had my recur to the lungs, I have to admit I used my mothers guilt and my b/c w/ lung mets guilt to really push him hard. It took awhile but he has now quit, and he admits it was the hardest thing he has ever done. He really doesn't have the desire any longer, Thank God... We also keep him poor and with the prices of cigarettes that makes it much easier to stay smoke free. LOL.
Like Angie said to all of you trying to quit GOOD LUCK, and to all that are still smoking Good luck too!!! Hugs KLynn xoxo
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Angie,
I am having my 2nd chemo treatment tomorrow, and I am still smoking,
It is too stressful and terrifying for me to quit right now, I'll quit when i'm ready, and no, if you are feeling ok that is wonderful, i have had no problems so far from smoking, when you start treatment the nurses will take good care of you and if you smoke you smoke. Right now we are going thru soo much, you quit when you are able. Good luck on your first treatment. I'll be thinking about you.
Carrol
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Hi, Carrol
I am getting so much pressure from every angle since I was diagnosed in December, you have no idea, mainly from my family, my doctor knows that I smoke, of course it is in my best interest to quit, I just dont feel ready yet, I am not a heavy smoker, I have cut down a lot, I am also wondering how I am going to feel after my first chemo treatment. I just have to wait and see, again I have to say that this is personal decision. My family imediately link my BC to smoking.
Please keep in touch............
Regards
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April 10 2008
I too am a smoker and am going into surgery for a mast. w/reconst. on the 16th of April. I have cut down alot, but very concerned about infection from reconst. and still smoking. My ps said the infection rate was much higher for smokers. Any thoughts???
Deb in AZ
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That is also what I have heard, however if you have a strong inmune system and you have a healthy diet, you will do fine.
I normally heal very quickly from surgeries and already had two of them.
I wish you luck on the 16, have you done any treatment yet? or will you do?
Regards
Angie
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I don't know about treatment yet. My surgeon has not tested any nodes yet, however my tumor was 2.2cm that was removed during biopsy and there is still another deeper in the tissue about a .5cm with DCIS also, so I am guessing there will be treatment of some kind. I too normally heal fast and am healthy otherwise. I will be glad to know if there has been any spreading. I have been having terrible pain in my back and shoulders over the past couple months. But everyone( doctor's,nurses) keeps saying not to worry it can't be related. I will feel better knowing for my self.
Good luck with chemo and keep in touch.
Deb
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I too was a smoker for 20 years. I quit on January 1st of this year. I had tried gum and patches in the past but nothing worked for me. I then got a prescripotion for Chantix and was able to easily quit. No withdrawal! No climbing the walls.. No weight gain..No nothing. For me, it is a miracle drug and I would urge anyone who really wants to quit, to speak to their doctor about it. Best of luck to all.
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When i see anyone who is smoking i ask to them to weigh the reasons why they smoke on a self importance scale. So which is the most to you- destresseing and causing potential hamr or death ----or--- living a healthy life, think about it. The smoking will be adding more toxins to your body on top of chemo whichmay have adverse affects. Smoking may have been the cause of your cancer in the first place. You know it is best if you stop.
Anyone suffering from breast cancer must know that there are many other things they can do to beat the battle of breast cancer. I have had bone cancer and I must tell you natural treatments work more effectively than chemotherapy. The doctors told me they couldn't do anymore for me, so I followed the advice of Phillip Day and I am still here today. There is hope for everyone please just read what I have to say!
I have beaten cancer without so much as a doctors help, and so have eight other I know of whom are willing to prove it. That's right the cure is through natural supplements. Has anyone heard of Phillip Day? I wouldn't have expected you to. The battle in defeating cancer is over, it has been won, already. There are many natural treatments available which can allow one to beat the disease. In fact I am one of them, I beat it when the doctors could do no more. There have been tens of thousands many of which were told hey could do no more they were terminal and through these natural good health ways they are still alive. Phillip Day and his books show that many scientists and researchers have found natural ways to beat cancer itself. The books are a collection of many studies conducted my world renown scientists and doctors. For further information I found this site yesterday- not as well versed as it could be but good site http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/ Further information is on Linus Pauling the multiple Nobel prize winner for science said in 1994 " All people should know that cancer in our society today is basically a fraud." It is known that the reason for cancer is the pollutants and chemicals in our environments foods, shampoos, etc. There are natural ways to cleanse the body of these. Things such as vitamin B17 found to be absent on all cancer sufferers is to be taken- it is found in apricot kernels. What is interesting is that the selling of apricot kernels has been made illegal by the government in the USA. Why may you ask- that's the very question we are all asking, why would they ban apricot kernels- the only true source of B17 vitamins? This one factor amoung others shows that one can rid of cancer, like me who is living three years after I shouldn't be am here to show it is proof it works. I was shown this when my cousin's friend had turned to natural supplements against the doctors wishes and is alive and well today. Phillip Day's books must be bought, you can find them on websites. The real reason why we have chemotherapy is that it is such a successful market for business a multi billion dollar industry in western countries like here in Australia. Doctors go to school and are taught about the drugs that are available, not natural treatments. I promise with all my heart this is true, I know that you all have a chance- Please find out more about these things it has saved me and can change anyone's lives.
Faithfully Michelle- free of cancer.
Just try it its natural - it wont hurt.
P.S I need some cancer warriors to help the fight and pass on this critical information to others after you have read it,
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To anyone newly diagnosed or currently going through treatment, just my suggestion but I think it's probably best to ignore the above post from MikeyBB (and his 25 other identical posts from this evening). There are no miracle cancer cures.
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Angie, I am a smoker,too. I quit for 6 weeks while on chemo after I had had 3tx. But I went back to it. I smoked during radiation. I would like to quit but as silly as this sounds, I enjoy smoking. I figure if a cancer diagnosis hasn't made me quit then what on earth will!!
I hide my smoking from some members of my family cause Idon't want to listen to their lectures. You do what's right for you and don't worry about anyone else!
Hugs and prayers,
Candie
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Like Candie - I enjoy smoking. I smoked through chemo and radiation and all the surgeries. It really ticked me off when I was told that I had BREAST cancer, which they have not yet connected smoking to bc. If the doctor had said lung cancer, I would probably have put the ciggies down - but BC???? Why quit if I'm going to get a cancer that doesn't seem to have a cause? However, I am going to get a prescription for Chantix and try that...the cost of smoking is prohibitive.
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