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11 years and counting

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2024-10-31 6:49 AM

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Feels like hell week all over!!

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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

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Smile....and don't shoot the messenger

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back from san fran; what I learned about hanging with a smoker


18 years ago 0 2830 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ex-Slave, I just figured out who you are! San Francisco gave me a clue because when I first joined this site, you'd made a trip to San Francisco I always remembered you with that city, for some reason. In fact, that post was the very first post I'd ever read at the SSC and it stuck in my head for some reason. (I'm a little slow... others may have figured it out sooner, but it took me a while.) Anyway, none of that matters because you're obviously a new you! I'm so proud of you for making this your final quit and for making this trip and not smoking!!!! I know how hard this must have been for you, but you did it and you've learned so much!!!! Way to go!!!! Crave the Quit! Pam [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/28/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 254 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,358 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1049.02 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 39
18 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
thanks sunshine, I had OOOO nicotine lozenges today,and it was a great day! thanks everyone for your encouragement. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 53 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,436 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $198.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 44
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    $91,238.00

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    Days: 5982 Hours: 11

    Minutes: 14 Seconds: 20

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    45619

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    456,190

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18 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
thank you healer, I know that I do have a problem forgiving myself. I condemm myself for things that I did in the past. Your words were very comforting; and I would tell my best friend the same. I need to turn my thoughts to the positives in my life. My four children are all doing well... 2 college grads so far and they are persuing their dreams. I never had the direction nor the wisdom to persue mine. Another regret i need to let go of. Maybe there is time to still realize some of the dreams of my youth. Maybe i will make a list and start on just one. Thanks for your words healer. They were (guess what?) healing! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 44 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,207 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $165 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24
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    $91,238.00

    Amount Saved

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    Days: 5982 Hours: 11

    Minutes: 14 Seconds: 20

    Life Gained

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    45619

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    456,190

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18 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
thanks everyone, Andy, I KNOW that I could not have done that ride if I still smoked. The first time I was in San Fran, I was a smoker. I had to stop midway when walking up some of the streets (sometimes 2 or 3 times) and gasp for breath. When the cilia in your lungs are frozen from poisonous smoke, it gets a little hard to breath at times. The difference was amazing. Hey Mr. Ed, Your reply was a bit melancholy; but I understand what you are saying. I do have alot of regrets about the years that I smoked (30 years). Especially when my children were small. I was always so committed to my children having a healthy diet, limited sugar, honey on their whole grain cereal and fresh fruit every morning for breakfast, lots of salads, etc. Yet, I remember sitting in my rocking chair, breast feeding my babies, with a cigarette burning in the ashtray that was permanently placed next to the rocker. When I got a break to sit down and feed the babies, I always smoked. It makes me want to cry. I'm not too good at handling regret in my life. There is nothing I can do about the times my kids were yelling at me in the backyard "mom, come and play with us" and my reply, "after I finish this cigarette" I am cringing right now. All I can say is that I did my best with the addiction that I allowed in my life. I have my first grandchild now. When I am with him, i will never have to say "wait till grandma finishes her cig". It does not make up for what happened with my children, but they are all thrilled that I found my way through to give up the nicotine. The past in done. We can only live now. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 44 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,204 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $165 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3
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    $91,238.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5982 Hours: 11

    Minutes: 14 Seconds: 20

    Life Gained

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    45619

    Smoke Free Days

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    456,190

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey BFS, Yes, I remember you also from last year. I left the site for a while because some of the members were not being very kind or supportive. People on this site may have quit and relapsed 10, 20, 30 times before their forever quits. But, when I was at the beginning of this journey and was being honest about having one cig in those situations that I soon learned that I should stay out of (drinking, socializing with smokers, etc), some members forgot about all the times that they have quit and then smoked again. I was tortured in my brain everytime that I would give in and smoke one. People should have understood that. And then receive some very negative feedback when I was honest...I just stopped posting on the site, although I would come and read. I started going to nic anonymous meetings and frequenting the "easy way" site instead. I was staying smoke free. But after my mom passed over the beginning of May, I smoked for a couple of weeks, so, I restarted my meter. It has been a slow process for me. A year long battle. Now, I am faced with giving up the lozenges. I still do around 4 2mg lozenges a day. I FINALLY feel confident that I will not smoke any cigarettes. I have faced all the situations where I would have failed in the past...been in a bar numerous times, been around my ex, who smokes; even have a roommate who smokes and I have overcome the cravings and not bummed or stolen a smoke from him. I know that people need to be admonished to never light that next cig. But, if they do, I certainly understand. I will always try and be supportive to never quit quitting for those that are having a particularly hard time; not condemning. I do remember that you were one of the people that was understanding; and I thank you for that. No matter how many times someone gives in a smokes one cig, or a few, they feel bad enough about it for themselves. They should be able to come here and get encouragement. It will happen in the timing of their life circumstances; not anyone elses. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 46 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,260 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $172.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 28 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9
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    $91,238.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5982 Hours: 11

    Minutes: 14 Seconds: 20

    Life Gained

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    45619

    Smoke Free Days

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    456,190

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi everyone, I am back from a 5 day vacation to San Francisco and I am soooo proud to say that I did not have ONE PUFF of a cig! I was with two of my children and another smoking adult. I learned that I could hang out in the jacuzzi for as long as I wanted without having to get out to go have my fix of nicotine. I learned that I could ride a bike all the way through golden gate park to the ocean; and then ride all the way up the coast to the golden gate bridge! (about a 25 mile round trip back to the bike rental shop)! And I wasn't jonsing for a cig. I learned that I no longer had to inconvience everyone else that I was with because they had to wait for me to finish a cig before we went inside to eat, or into the hotel, or a shop. I saw what a hassle it was for the smoker to have to feed that junkie every hour, or every 30 minutes if possible. We would be relaxing in the room watching a movie. The smoker starts to get antsy for a fix. Out of the room, up the elevator to the smoking patio, or down the elevator to the street level when the patio was closed at night; stand out on the street doing nothing but smoking and missing the movie; back in the hotel, back in the elevator to come back to the room. I learned that I could sit in a non-smoking bar and listen to music for as long as I pleased. And have a glass of wine, just to enjoy the wine. I walked and walked and didn't get out of breath, except for a few of those really steep hills in san fran. Smoking interrupted my friends life continually. After a meal, leave everyone at the table to go outside and smoke. Withdrawing on the plane, getting grouchy if it went too long before we were in a situation where smoking was allowed. Always thinking, "when will I be able to smoke again" I felt so free. I had a wonderful time with my two oldest boys. I can enjoy life without cigarettes. I thank god everyday. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 44 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,191 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $165 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59
  • Quit Meter

    $91,238.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5982 Hours: 11

    Minutes: 14 Seconds: 20

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45619

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    456,190

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ex, You really learned a lot on this trip and it shows! We are glad that you had such a great time and seen the wonderful events and experiences you were missing. You look great at 44 days! Keep Strong, Josie _____________________ The SSC Support Team.

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