Hello everyone - I'm a 24 year old EX smoker from Jacksonville Florida. I come from a family where everyone smokes. I was actually the one who held out the longest; I didn't begin until my freshman year in college. I remember absolutely HATING everything about cigarettes...and what do I do?
I want to share with everyone why I have decided to quit for good. About a year and a half ago I started having horrible allergy attacks. These attacks eventually led to my having to have surgery and losing my sense of smell. I have developed chronic bronchitis and asthma. At 24 years old (heck, at ANY age) I don't think I should have to be going through this. I also have poor circulation in my legs, which could be Beurger's Disease in no time. My mother has just been diagnosed with COPD (she was a smoker for 43 years....I am so proud to say she has been smoke free for over 60 days!!!!!!!) My father is a survivor of throat cancer. Unfortunately, he is still a smoker. My brother is a survivor of thyroid cancer, which may or may not have anything to do with his smoking. He is also still a smoker.
Even after all these health issues caused directly and indirectly by smoking, I am disgusted to say that I am grieving my cigarettes. I've been preparing to quit for about 2 weeks. I switched to a brand that I absolutely hate (which took about 50% of the enjoyment of smoking away.) I also stopped smoking in my main trigger areas (in front of my computer and in the car while driving.) It's only been 24 hours since my last cigarette, and it really wasn't such a hard day. It's just once every four hours or so that the realization that I'm not going outside to have a cigarette hits me right in the gut and I have a little panic rat going crazy inside my head. But I've promised myself to stay strong, and if I got through today, goodness knows I can get through tomorrow!!!!!
Even though I do not know any of you, I admire each and every one of you for resolving to quit and being strong enough to follow through with it. All of you have my utmost respect!! Best wishes, and continue kicking some major ash. ;)
