Thank you Lamplighter How realistic were your expectations of what you'd face in the process of quitting smoking? I thought 3 months and it would be said and done; it was six. And what difference did it make, if any, in your success? None What is the contrast between what you anticipated, and what you ended up experiencing? I only knew that it would be much, much different living without uncle nic and it was. Is there such a thing as new quitters knowing "too much" of what to expect? No, one needs to know and plan for the surprises. Or is every quitters experience so unique... that nothing can be realistically forecast about their future experience anyway? Quitters no not unique, quits fall within the bounds of the Bell curve; 66% of the quitting population experiences similar quit things. From where I stand, most quits are difficult and lengthy. I think quitters are better off to be prepared for that, to be committed to dealing with that... then going in thinking that they'll feel like their old selves again in fairly short order. Some find it easier not knowing what the future hold�s and that is why we say one day at a time. Partially what I am about: I quit smoking without help from any support group. My six month milestone was here and I went looking to hook up with others to help celebrate. That was one year ago and come Monday July 23, I will have reached 18 months. So you know it would be nice if I didn�t have to start my own 18 month thread. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/22/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 543 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,774 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,986.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 99 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

Lamplighter, well it was really easy and the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life AND the most positive thing I have ever done in my life. The chantix and this board - the easy parts Deciding to quit with my mother visiting for 5 weeks and quitting at the same time as my husband the most difficult thing I have ever done. Every single day since I quit I have realized, felt or been told something positive about what I have done. I can breathe, I smell good, my time is my own, I have more time, I can breathe and y'all today I went to the DR and I have lost 20 pounds in the past few months and THAT made my cry in front of a stranger. I am alive, I feel wonderful and I am going to do this. thanks for asking LL, I love your posts, all of them. Sue [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 77 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 770 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $134.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

I agree, I know it is difficult to read of people's slips. But I don't get discouraged. We have to remember....we were them once. I cherish my slips because they got me where I am today. As long as you learned your lesson well...they turn into a positives that will ultimately save your life. Mercy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 179 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,580 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $800.13 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 23 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12

Wonderful, Mercy! And that's the reason that the successful quitter, typically, is someone who has tried more than once to quit. Through trial and error, they find what they need to quit and stay quit. We would like everyone who takes up the challenge, to quit, long-term, the very first time. But we know that kind of quitter is the exception, not the rule. And... the quitters who do manage it first time, are usually much longer in the tooth. They usually have more severe problems derived from smoking, and so are highly motivated. Or they are reaching a time in their lives when they're just much more aware of, and concerned about, their own mortality. We need to approach everyone who attempts to quit, with the assumption that this is THE attempt that will lead to long-term recovery. But... we should accept that many will falter, perhaps once, perhaps several times, before they acquire what they need to find long term success. As long as people keep trying, I believe it is my place to encourage their efforts. And further, I believe that most of those people will indeed be successful. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 135 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,375 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,248.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 21 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

Hey...am I too late? WHEW...HOME FROM WORK....finally!! I did have some realistic expectations on what I was about to face. I had quit so many times that I was an expert on "Hell Week" I was also getting pretty good on what to expect for the week or two after that. A couple of weeks was as far as I ever made it. I knew what Zyban...the patch.... and nicorette gum did for softening the quit. I was looking for a miracle cure. Beyond that, I was a total novice. What I didn't know....in the least..... was how long the desire to smoke would last. I sincerely believed that the addiction was totally based on nicotine alone. I was the "innocent" victim, scorned by a powerful chemical, hence I held no responsibility nor accountability for my actions. But...once I was rid of the chemical, I would be "cured" Not by a LONG SHOT. I had to learn that "change" rested solely on me. Up until 100 days quit, I could have easily faultered on occasions. There were days I walked that tight rope very well....but I was still walking it none the less. My feet are just now touching the ground. My desire to succeed, thus far, has been as great as my fear of failing. To sum it up: "I wasn't prepared to feel like an image on a chalk board being erased and made bare.......and for the length of time it's taking to create a new image from mere chalk." I'm so hoping I will stand back and like what I see. Mercy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 179 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,580 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $800.13 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 23 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

Blue Cloud, you just made my day. :) And yes, you are quitting for your life. Smoking did much more to us than jeopardize our health. It changed us, and the rules that would ordinarily govern our lives... and... the way we look at life. You're winning your life back, Blue Cloud! I think you'll see changes that go significantly beyond better health. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 135 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,375 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,248.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 21 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

Lamplighter, once again you have come to my rescue without knowing it. I am 15 days into this quit and have been seeking advise from more expierenced quiters since day one. The your doing goods, and keep up the good works have been nice to read but didn't answer the way I was feeling. I had no idea that smoking had so much to do with the other parts of my life. Not smoking has made me look at emotion, reality, relationships, addiction and most of all trying to find me. Not smoking is my number one goal. Now I know all the other issues are not happening to just me. I thought I was quitting for my health. I now think I'm quitting for my life. I find all the posts on this thread very informing and want to say thanks to all of you, BLUE CLOUD [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/4/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 15 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 300 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $60.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Aloha, Bear, Ex-Roller, Duffis, Tom, Mercy, Gen, Angelcapp, MomMom, John, Danielle... Thank-you so very much!! I couldn't have asked for better responses than all of you have provided... Mercy will be along shortly. :) If I had found this thread when I first walked into SSC... it would have meant a great deal to me! I realize that not every new quitter would want or need this information, but there are many who would treasure it. For them... it would be the difference between going to war armed, or going unarmed. There's nothing that can replace experience. We can tell people that the nicotine will be out of their systems within 3 - 4 days. We can tell them that they'll have to adjust emotionally and psychologically over months, or years. We can tell them that their bodies will be playing by a new set of rules and that they will probably notice some changes happening. We can tell them that they'll likely be encountering some identity changes. But what most really want to know is... what is all of that going to feel like? What do I have to be prepared to deal with? What do most people experience and how does it effect them? When I first came here a few years ago, that's what I wanted to know. I wanted to hear from people at various stages of recovery...what their experience was. I knew that my experience would likely be somewhat different, but hearing from them gave me some perspective. I better understood the range of possibilities, and there weren't as many suprises. I was better prepared emotionally and psychologically to meet the challenges. I'll say more about my quit later, but I would like to say that this is my second run at this... and it has been different than the first attempt. The first time 'round was considerably easier... and I returned to smoking by about the 120 day point. This time it's been tougher, but I'm still smoke-free at 135 days. So, it's been more taxing emotionally, psychologically and physically... but I like my odds better this time. Anyway, more on that later. Again, you guys have supplied some valuable answers, and I thank you. If there are others who feel like offering their experience, or if those who have contributed have more to add... it's all good!! Most of you people have fought some battles and learned some lessons, and you've been left with something important to say. So... please feel free to say it! :) You may be helping someone else more than you know. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 135 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,375 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,248.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 21 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

Lamplighter, Very interesting topic of discussion and so many great responses thus far! Keep it coming! Danielle, Bilingual Support Specialist

Good thread Lamp, Kinda in a rush here but would like to say quitting smoking is like driving in Manhattan. A little bit of anxiety, a little road rage, and a little bit of fascination. <--- the new kitty, to represent my new persona [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 77 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,925 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $269.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4