"She was 16 and beautiful..."

[marciem]

This is a post from a brilliant man who quit smoking and wrote a lot of meaningful posts during his journey.  He went by "JWG... the Invisible Man" .  Approx. 3 1/2 years after he quit, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer, and passed about 6 weeks after his diagnosis.  He was never 51...

She was 16 and beautiful

Posted on QSMB Jul 25 2010 by JWG.

She was 17 and thought it was cool
She was 18 knew she was in control
She was 19 living in the fast lane
She was 20 and would quit before hitting 21
She was 21 and thought new years eve was better
She was 22 the new job was to much stress right now
She was 23 and her fiancée smoked anyways
She was 24 the baby would be fine, what’s a little nicotine
She was 25 what else is there for a stay at home mom to do
She was 26 job interviews are just to demanding
She was 27 in this job you have to be social
She was 28 her uncle just died but she would be alright
She was 29 thinking this time Im ready and 30 is my number
She was 30 maybe just one more year
She was 31 who can handle a divorce all alone
She was 32 working two jobs and life’s to hard
She was 33 and the new boy friend doesn’t mind anyhow
She was 34 wedding plans are all she could do
She was 35 his kids are so wild , just need the break time to time
She was 36 a quit would have to wait , to much on her plate
She was 37 forty wont be to late
She was 38 a daughter and two steps sons a mini van and career
She was 39 one more year and so done
She was 40 are you crazy and gain weight
She was 41 and probably couldn’t anyways
She was 42 and enjoy smoking

She was 43 but I should try, just for a month
She was 44 her little girl smoking, and wonders what went wrong
She was 45 The Doctor said it wasn’t good
She was never 46

[Giulia]

And perhaps that lesson of sadness will teach someone else to become smoke free.  And that will turn it into a happiness.

[SoosannahK]

I'm not tearing up, that is a stick in my eye. Oh so scary for me. Cancer is prevalent in my dad's side of the family, bone cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, a wide variety there. I turn 45 on Thursday. I hope I didn't quit too late.

[elvan]

SoosannahK‌ My father developed lung cancer 22 years after quitting smoking, he was being screened for bypass surgery when they found it.  He ultimately died of a massive heart attack after completing radiation treatment.  He was a little older than I am when he died...he quit smoking in his 40's.  Who knows how much earlier he would have died had he NOT quit smoking.  I saw SO MANY people die from smoking related illnesses and STILL I smoked because, clearly, I thought I was immortal.  Chances are that I will die from a smoking related illness but the BEST thing I can do for myself and my family is to take care of myself NOW and from here on in...I am really sorry that it took me so long.  YOU are young...take care of yourself, eat right, exercise, and DON'T SMOKE.

Ellen

[marciem]

I once again STRONGLY advocate pushing your doc for a Low-dose CT scan for lung cancer, every year at least, SoosannahK‌.  I've made a lengthy post about it here, my own story.  I was well above 45 when I quit.  Early detection is the key.  

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/17696-low-dose-ct-scan-for-lung-cancer 

[elvan]

marciem‌ I have them annually and have since the first year I quit.

[marciem]

I thought I would bump this post up for new members to read.  It always strikes home for someone.

[meWisconsin]

Very powerful post. I also highly recommend a yearly Low-dose CT.

My dad quit smoking in his 60's but the damage was already done. Had a lung remove in his late 70's and he was never quite the same after that.

Terry

[Cousin-Itt]

I just sat here for a few after reading  I remembered the past and realized how much it sounded like my thoughts. 

It truly makes me wonder about a lot things

Thank you for the post marciem

[Ladybug--7-3-12]

I remember the Invisible Man (John) and his posts.  Up until his end he still posted hoping his message would empower others to quit & stay quit.  He is remembered & helped many (I am sure) so he, like his shared posts, live on.  Thanks for this memory & message.

[marciem]

Ladybug--7-3-12‌ ,  Thank you.  John is indeed remembered.  I know for me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, every day there is  something he said that will pop into my head... there were so many little remarks and ideas he put forth.  He had a huge impact on my quit, that's for sure.  I wish I had access to more of his posts, I saved quite a few but believed (silly me) they would always be available.

"I didn't quit to live longer, I quit to live better".

"Don't put things in your mouth and light them on fire".

RIP, JWG.