Memories

[Looneysgal]

I remember the day I stole the first cigarette out of my daddy's pack of smokes. Ole Marborol Light 100. I was 11 then. I didn't know that you would stay with me and be the hardest addiction in my life I'd ever cross. I'm 35 years old now. Daddy smoked since he was 11, he will be 77 this year. And as I write this, he lays on a bed, with a collapsed lung, and the other one ready to collapse at any given moment. This is due to the emphysema and COPD you created due to his addiction. I'm fighting mentally with this right now. I don't want to cause my children this type of pain. So with that, I'm ready to say goodbye to you for good and give it everything I've got to keep you out this time. I'm taking back control. Goodbye.

[Barbara145]

You are a smart girl.  Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking.  I am 77.  So sorry about your Dad. I had Respiratory Failure at 66.  I ended up in ICU.  I have not smoked since and by God's Grace and a wonderful pulmonologist and a lot of work I am doing well. I believe you will do this.  Stay close to this site it is how I made it through.

[Barbscloud]

@Looneysgal Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your upcoming quit.  This is the best thing you can do for you mental and physical health.  A good-bye letter is a great way to begin your commitment.   

If you haven't done so already, spend time preparing for your quit learning about nicotine addiction and putting a quit plan in place. This link has some great information to get you started.  https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex

There is some great support here from fellow quitters.  I made all the difference for me after smoking for 50 years.

Hope to see you on the Daily Pledge to stay on track one day at a time.

Sorry to hear about your father.  

Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

[biscuit9]

@Looneysgal  You know exactly what you need, and have to do.  You have plenty of time to rewrite your story, but you MUST take that first step.  Don't put this off and kick the can down the road.  It is possible your father would have chosen differently, if he had known the outcome.  Don't give your life and breath for these cancer sticks, they give you nothing in return, except a miserable death that takes your breath.  

[CommunityAdmin]

Welcome @Looneysgal My name is Quiana, and I am a part of the EX Team. Congratulations on your decision to quit! I wanted to reach out and personally welcome you to the EX Community! We are so excited you have joined us. This is a very supportive community so feel free to keep us all posted on your quit journey reach out and let us know if you need anything.

Here are some articles that might be helpful as you prepare for your quit date: 

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/right-before-you-quit/

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/3-ways-to-get-your-support-...

Quiana, EX Team

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

My sympathy on your Dad's health.  I blame it ALL on Big Tobacco and their money grubbing, no conscience invention of an addiction and illness causing product.  I am so sorry you are dealing with its ramifications.

Understanding the addiction and having a PLAN going forward will reduce the anxiety of quitting.  Get busy learning and preparing, and I think you may actually start to look forward to this journey!  You will do this one day at a time, so don't be looking further ahead than that. 

An important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. I was amazed when I learned that the stress reduction you feel when you ingest nicotine is caused by the brain receptors calming that have gradually built in volume jonesing for their next fix!  I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking”  that brings light two other things you might not know.  You can purchase a digital version online or borrow it at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: Nicotine and Your Brain.

I quit many years ago , and I base my overall recommendations on my experience and that of others here over the years. If you decide to use a quit aid, I recommend those that don't let the addict control the dose such as Rx drugs and the patch. Lozenges and gum are fine, but don't sub them for every cigarette you used to smoke.  That will simply be substituting one addiction for another.  Have a plan to reduce use over time. Each cigarette you smoked contained about 1 mg of nicotine. If you use more than one form of NRT, be sure you aren't getting more than when you smoked.

To better deal with the habit part of the addiction, change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your walking shoes on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! .  Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

After you have eliminated as many associations as you can, you need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit Games: The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the page.

Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

You might want to join other site members by taking the daily pledge when you quit. It helps to hold yourself accountable and also accountable to others here. Find it at Home (top left), then first box titled Take the Daily Pledge.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy