I quit smoking on June 23, 2011 at about 2pm. Had 5 cigarettes in my pack, smoked them all in one hour after my dentist visit.. then as a ceromonious act, ( I never litter), I threw the empty pack out my car window.. and said I will never take another puff. .. I lied a little.
I cheated 2x once on June 23, ( 2 puffs of ashtray cigs) and June 24, 2 more puff on my last cig in my car ashtray).. I haven't had a cigarette since. I don't care what anyone says, I am counting my quit date as June 23, even though I cheated 2x. I am learning that this is a one day at a time journey. My desire to smoke is diminishing as of this day June 27. I can get through the cravings a little easier, however.. not taking for granted how tempting the pull for cigarettes can be, counting to 10 a lot, and walking around when the triggers strike.
Oh..so for my big why: I went to the dentist, he discovered a white lesion on the floor of my mouth. The biopsy reported pre-cancer. Dentist said that if I do not quit smoking, I will have full fledged oral cancer within months.
Oral cancer has the fastest death rate- 5 years. So my choice, quit smoking or die in 5 years.. A No brainer..
I am only 48. I have been smoking for 32 years. It isn't easy, but not as hard as I thought. The cravings are painful, but not as painful as oral cancer would be. My reminder, 5 grandchildren, a great husband..
