Well it's day 1 for me and I am so glad to finally be here. The last 2 weeks of preparation has felt like a month. I think the cutting down has really helped. I am having mild to moderate cravings and have only had 1 lozenge today. I am also using the patch to help stay more comfortable as I have failed so many times totally due to the discomfort of the strong cravings. I am not naive, I am so aware that day 1 is not the hardest, I just feel more confident. I also am not in denial. I have severe copd and will not live for another few yrs if I keep smoking. I will say that my cough has pretty much gone away and I am getting more sleep because of that which is good because I am exhausted. Because of the copd I am not very active but my lung Dr. says it is just as important to exercize the lungs as anywhere else so I am climbing 18 concrete outside stairs to the 2nd floor of the apartments I live in twice/day. I will also mention that I am bipolar which increases the level of difficulty in quitting smoking but for the 1st time in decades, I am stabilized on medication. I do have the challenge of having a husband that smokes but when I get to the point where he realizes that I am going to make it this time, I am going to ask him to smoke outside.
I love the support on this site. I am so grateful that the elders are still here, how encouraging is that? I am also grateful for the newbies as we can support each other by recognizing each others days quit and share symptoms and what we are using for quit aids. I know that there are minutes that feel like hours and hours that feel like days. We can support each other during those difficult times.
I will close for now. This is lengthy enough. Wishing everyone a wonderful smokefree day!
