- Feb 9, 2002
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I've done it several times" Samuel Clemens
When I was a young mom cigarettes went up to .35 a pack.
Wow way TOOOOOOOO much so I said thats it I quit and that was it.. NO PROBLEM
We then fast forward 15 years and I decided I could "afford" it again . I did smoke for another 15 years. they were years that had a high toll for me.
The actual cost had gone to $25 a carton, so we drove to the Indian Reservation to but them "tax free" .
I was working nights.. long nights were I could smoke almost a pack.
I started to have Shortness of breath, and a hacking cough .Even a flight of stairs was an effort.
Then the day came when I could not "catch my breath" at all..
Eventually I found myself in a pulmonary specialist's office being told I had COPD (Chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease)
That is the nick name for a cluster of diseases , in my case it was Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.
My job at that time was in addictions, I refused to believe that nicotine was an "addictive " drug that cause a physical addiction, .It was "just" a habit.
Even with that diagnosis I kept smoking I brought my inhalers with me every where so I could inhale the smoke
At that time I was joining a "Holiness Church " that says you could not smoke if you wanted membership.
I had a choice to make. I loved the little church so the smoking had to go .
Guys, the second time was NOT like the first. It was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do.
In addictions we talk about "triggers" . For most smokers it is talking on the telephone, with the morning coffee and after dinner .
My also included sitting at a desk doing paperwork for hours at night.
I tried the patch that made my skin sore,and the GUM.
Actually it was the gum and determination that finally won the day.
The gum is just a crutch , but it takes the edge off the cravings ( that is how I finally came to see that it is a physical addiction)
I liked the gum because I only needed it when I wanted to smoke.
It has been over 10 years now. I can honestly say I never miss them. I do not crave them even if others are smoking near me.
Recently I had an Echo Cardiogram done. As I watched the screen a white film moved as I breathed. The tech told me not to panic, that is 'JUST" my lungs, she sees that all the time in Emphysema.
Even after 10 years the damage is clearly visible.
I have more stamina now, I can walk some without getting out of breath, my lungs are usually "clear"
But the damage is still there.
So I want to encourage all of you to buy some of the dumb gum and throw out the cigarettes . There is no quick and easy way no matter what Samuel Clemens says . It is one of the hardest things you may have to do.
But I promise you the quality of your life will improve and in time you will not miss them at all.
When I was a young mom cigarettes went up to .35 a pack.
Wow way TOOOOOOOO much so I said thats it I quit and that was it.. NO PROBLEM
We then fast forward 15 years and I decided I could "afford" it again . I did smoke for another 15 years. they were years that had a high toll for me.
The actual cost had gone to $25 a carton, so we drove to the Indian Reservation to but them "tax free" .
I was working nights.. long nights were I could smoke almost a pack.
I started to have Shortness of breath, and a hacking cough .Even a flight of stairs was an effort.
Then the day came when I could not "catch my breath" at all..
Eventually I found myself in a pulmonary specialist's office being told I had COPD (Chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease)
That is the nick name for a cluster of diseases , in my case it was Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.
My job at that time was in addictions, I refused to believe that nicotine was an "addictive " drug that cause a physical addiction, .It was "just" a habit.
Even with that diagnosis I kept smoking I brought my inhalers with me every where so I could inhale the smoke
At that time I was joining a "Holiness Church " that says you could not smoke if you wanted membership.
I had a choice to make. I loved the little church so the smoking had to go .
Guys, the second time was NOT like the first. It was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do.
In addictions we talk about "triggers" . For most smokers it is talking on the telephone, with the morning coffee and after dinner .
My also included sitting at a desk doing paperwork for hours at night.
I tried the patch that made my skin sore,and the GUM.
Actually it was the gum and determination that finally won the day.
The gum is just a crutch , but it takes the edge off the cravings ( that is how I finally came to see that it is a physical addiction)
I liked the gum because I only needed it when I wanted to smoke.
It has been over 10 years now. I can honestly say I never miss them. I do not crave them even if others are smoking near me.
Recently I had an Echo Cardiogram done. As I watched the screen a white film moved as I breathed. The tech told me not to panic, that is 'JUST" my lungs, she sees that all the time in Emphysema.
Even after 10 years the damage is clearly visible.
I have more stamina now, I can walk some without getting out of breath, my lungs are usually "clear"
But the damage is still there.
So I want to encourage all of you to buy some of the dumb gum and throw out the cigarettes . There is no quick and easy way no matter what Samuel Clemens says . It is one of the hardest things you may have to do.
But I promise you the quality of your life will improve and in time you will not miss them at all.
