Eleven Days and Counting

[bluerose]

I had my last cigarette Halloween at midnite.  I'll be fine for large parts of the day and then I'll have several cravings each day.  I get out my sugarless gum when that happens.  Cigarettes seem like a friend, but I know they're not.  They still seem like a comfort to me which is crazy because I lost my husband three years ago to lung cancer.  He was only 50 years old when he died after a three and a half year long battle.  We had alot of good times during his illness, but at the same time he went through hell.  I miss him every day.  Now I'm 50 years old and while I was too stressed to quit after he got diagnosed (I did smoke outside all the time) and after he died, I know I need to stay  quit now.  It's hard because I have suffered from depression all my life and part of me says what the heck so what if I get sick from smoking but I don't want to lose my independence and if I don't get lung cancer I'll get COPD for sure. That's what has kept me from buying cigarettes and also one very sweet orange cat that has been my constant companion for the last three years.  Hope to hear from some of you.  I'm new to this site so I'm not quite sure how it works.  The best of luck to all of you!

Bluerose and Rusty

P.S.  Food does taste alot better!

[sandra9]

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband.  It must have been extremely hard on you during those 3 years that he was sick. That just shows what a strong person you are. Don't give in to temptations! I too suffer from depression and sometimes think "what the h----!", who cares......, be happy for the moment,......but I know that is just the devil in my head trying to change my mind about the effects of smoking.

It feels like it has been forever, but in reality my clock shows 61 days. I have to keep going. One day I will share my story. In the meantime, I will keep on going!! This site really helps. Keep posting and coming here often. And breathe deeply!!!

[sam7]

I am Sam. I want say I'm sorry for your lose. I just started using this website today. I have alot in common with you. first let me congradulations because you're right on the money cigarettes are not your friends. Friends don't kill you. I have quit several times and have had long runs of being smoke free. My last run was almost 2 years from May 2007 to March 2009. I am also on antidepressants and have always used an excuse to start smoking again. Eventhough the reasons were trumatic events in my life like a death in the family or losing my job. They are still excuses and guess what smoking didn't change anything. And now at 6 to 7 dollars a pack money is become a real issue. What I  did was put all my empty packs in a bag and in a 2 month period it came to over 200 dollars. This is just one way I thought would keep me motivated. The latest event was our dog died. We had her for eleven years and she just passed away in her sleep. Yet another reason to use. So I guess I'm trying to say that there will always be an excuse. Just because I felt that I had enough crap come my way dosen't mean that more won't come tomorrow. 

Best of luck. 

[char5]

I am also sorry for your loss.  I am so inspired by all of your stories on this site.  I just registered last night.  This isn't my first rodeo either.  I have quit countless times, been hypnotized, taken smoking cessation classes and the longest I've made it smoke free was 6 months.  Unfortunately, I now have COPD and I must succeed this time.  The mental craving for me is much worse than the physical craving.  I know we can all do this together!  Thanks for everyone's input.  It really does help!  Good luck to all!

[trica]

You've come to the right place.  You'll find a lot of support here to fighoff the nicotine addiction.  That's what it is, an addiction.  You might ask your doctor about Wellbutrin XL (extended release),  It's not only an antidepressant but it helps curb smoking.  Alot of people take it or Chantix to help stop smoking.  My husbad took Chantix and quit in June and hasn't looked back. Wellbutrin works for me. I was already taking it some for depression but started taking it everyday when I stopped smoking.   I had my last smoke on Halloween night too.  Go visit all around the site and read read read, check out November quits group, read blogs that are already on here and on individual's pages and check on the Humorous group for some laughs.  Good Luck!  You can do it.  Whenever you see a quote on here that helps you, write it down and keep it with you for example some of mine are:  Protect the Quit, You Can't Have Just One, I have never wanted just one, Of course I miss something I been doing for years, I miss my little friends but they tried to kill me, I'd rather be an exsmoker with occassional desire to smoke than a smoker with a constant desire to quit,  and my alltime favorite " I don't smoke anymore" just keep telling yourself that.  After a while instead of thoughts of smoking you'll hear the voices of all the other exsmokers in your head and you'll be able to stay an exsmoker.  I think about this site all time now and I stay on it alot for support and comfort and to stay an exsmoker.

[justin22]

My name is justin i am 26 and Today is my seventh day of not smoking, i watch my Father everynight breathe with an air machine from the effects of smoking since he was about 16 years old and he is 60 now and quit 5 years ago. I fight the urge every single day throughout all of my routines i developed (in the car afer a meal on lunch at work) i now take a walk and remember even 7 days later how easier it is to take a deep breathe without gettibng light headed or coughing. I have only been on this site for a short short time but reading the stories helped, so i thought i would share mine. I feel like a whole new person and in the last 7 days i have saved roughly $50+ dollars. There are much more benefits to not smoking i find a new one everyday.

Thank You,

[chris59]

Hi Bluerose and Rusty; i am sorry for your loss, we are sisters in a sorority we didn't want.  I lost my husband to early Alzheimer's Oct. 2008; spent all my time outside of work with him, of course, until the day he went to God peacefully and beautifully.  Now, as I reshape my life alone, I am trying to do the things that are best with me.  Sooo, my quit date is Nov. 30th.  I will go to see my beloved 21/2 yr.old granddaughter for Christmas and not have to stand outside while she plays inside.  Keep up the great work, and I will post again soon.  You are in my thoughts.  Your are worth it.