Dear Arwens Mom,
There is soooo much to be said for not smoking, but I guess I don't have to tell you that since your boyfriend is faced with the horrible effects caused by smoking. And the fact the you have been suffering with a terrible cough and chest pain also shows the tremendous toll smoking causes. (BTW: have you had this checked out, just curious).
Please, please, stay strong! What you are going thru right now are withdrawel symptoms which should ease up very soon. Make sure that you get plenty of rest, and drink lots of water or tea to flush out your system.
From what I understand you stayed quit for three years previously, right? So you can do it!
This site offers great support. I quit 17 days ago, and it has helped me out in so many ways. Whenever I feel like the nicodemon wants to get the better off me, I come here, and read all the encouraging posts as well as all the struggles people go thru, and how they fight them. Everyone here is such a great inspiration, and many of the "old-timers" have such great words of wisdom and encouragement for those are fairly new. Print out some of the messsages that inspire you, keep them handy so you can read them when you think you can't stand it anymore.
Please believe me when I tell you that it will get better. I just can't believe how much my overall being has improved since I quit. Yes, I still feel tired now and then. But to wake up in the morning without this dreadful nicotine hangover and to actually feel fresh can't be beat. My breathing has improved tremendously, and I can't wait to start running again without being afraid to collapse after the first 100 ft. or so. My hair smells like coconut instead of smoke, my clothes smell like they promise in the laundry commercials. But most importantly I know that I am not polluting my organs anymore, because that is exactly what we are doing when we are smoking.
Come back, and come back often. I hope to hear more from you, and how your quit is going.
All the best, Gaby
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/17/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 17
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 352
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $131.75
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6