It's hard to believe that almost two weeks have gone by since I smoked my last cigarette. Thirteen days - no cigarettes, no nic gum or patches, no medication. I don't think there is anything wrong with using NRT or medication to stop smoking. I am so happy that I decided on January 2nd to throw out my pack of smokes and just go for it. To be nicotine free is THE.BEST.FEELING.EVER. I remembered how it felt from the few times I've actually made it that far in a quit in the past. I wanted that feeling ASAP. I wanted the nicotine gone. I'm not sure if it's completely out of my system yet but it feels like it. I am not craving cigarettes.
I have tried not to force myself to NOT think about cigarettes. Of course I'm going to think about them. I think about my emphysema diagnosis and smoking all the time, although it is getting better. My doctor assured me that I have an extremely mild case and not smoking can keep it from progressing. I am hopefuly that it won't get worse or if it does, it won't be for a very long time. I don't have any symptoms. My lungs feel so much better in just 13 days. Of course, I was recovering from bronchitis when I stopped smoking, so I couldn't do much except feel better, right? My mouth and gums and nose feel better too. And I love not having to stand out in the freezing Wisconsin weather to smoke. (I am REALLY loving that!)
When I do think about smoking, I just let the thoughts in, ponder for a bit and then my mind just wanders on to something else. It takes the fear and the power away from cigarettes. I am in control now. I have too much to live for to just throw in the towel and get sicker and sicker knowing it's because I'm smoking. I can't do that to my family and I can't do that to myself!
