I smoked for 47 years with the exception of the times I quit for pregnancies...and some other short term quits that failed for any number of reasons. I have been smoke free now for over 3 years and I did the reading, I prepared for my quit by tracking cigarettes and rating the triggers that accompanied my smoking, I PLANNED for what I would do instead of smoking when a trigger happened. I gave up coffee for several weeks and drank green tea instead, I planned my life, I planned what I would do and how I would keep busy. I came to this site every morning and every evening...some mornings I was late for work because I was reading the blogs and commenting. I learned so much from the people here, I learned how THEY got through difficult times and I learned how important education about nicotine addiction is. I am a retired nurse, I already KNEW what I was doing to myself even though I denied it. I quit in January of 2014 and had both of my upper lobes of my lungs removed in November of 2015 because the damage I had done was so severe that I was constantly short of breath. Actually, removing the diseased tissue helped. Not that I am in great shape now, I'm not, I have COPD and it is progressive, all I can do is to try to take care of myself by exercising, eating right, NOT smoking and avoiding things that make my breathing harder. Thomas3.20.2010 has a COPD group where I have learned an enormous amount about what to expect and how I can make things better for me, not everyone who smoked even long term develops COPD, it is just ONE of many things we are at higher risk of developing...none of them are good.
Welcome to EX VincentA you have come to the RIGHT place for education, support, love, friendship, and everything you could possibly need for a successful quit.
Ellen
