Hello, Anne (also my middle name), I quit smoking on January 3, 2009. I think you are getting some very bad advice, as there's always going to be something stressful going on in life. I've been going through a lot the past few years and am similarly stressed. I smoked one pack of Misty menthol 120 mm cigarettes a day (went to the 120's after getting up to a pack and a half daily.) Quitting smoking proved to me that I am still the same strong person I always was, and gave me the feeling that there is something in my life I can have control over, when so many things seem outside my control.
I visited my nonsmoking sister for a week and kept very busy and used the Nicorette gum 2 milligrams (also comes in 4 milligram, but I've heard from people that it can be extremely irritating to your mouth), and suffered very few physical withdrawal symptoms. A couple of weeks ago I went to a party where nearly everyone smoked, and it didn't faze me.
Make sure you're physically active, and expect an increased appetite. Carrots are a good munchy food...they also contain carrotine, which is a relative of nicotine, and fools the receptors somewhat.
And remember...don't be hard on yourself if you do quit for a few days and start up again.
Save the money you currently spend on cigarettes...blow it on something fun at the end of the first week...then save up for a month, and you have enough for an overnight trip. Good luck! Hang in there!