Monica: You are inspirational and admirable! Way to go! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 60 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,027 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $480 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 21

Congrats on your decision to quit smoking. Knowledge is power, so get prepared. Get prepared for your mind to deal with emotions without the mask of a drug. Know that the nicotine in cigarettes has caused you to be physically addicted. Take comfort in knowing the physical withdrawal will stop approximately 72 hours if you can resist nicotine products. Be fully aware that your life routine will have to be experienced without smoking cigarettes for you to be quit. So throw them away. Do not save any. What is your routine? When do you smoke? Make a list of your triggers (when you would normally smoke). It is better to think about all of these things ahead of time so that you can go into battle prepared. Replace your bad habit (smoking) with good habits. Read about healthy ways to deal with stress/emotions and start practicing your new coping skills. Get yourself ready physically by walking more, take in more fluids, get plenty of rest and avoid becoming overtired. Tell people around you that you�re going to quit. Get yourself a Quit Buddy who will be there to provide you personal quit-smoking help and support. Fight the urge to protect yourself from looking silly if you don�t make it all the way. Believe in yourself from the very beginning. Make it come true. If you don�t make it this time, what matters is that you get back up and try again. Also, don�t forget to make rewards a part of your plan. Quitting takes a lot of work, so you want to make sure you give yourself credit along the way. Keep a list of rewards you look forward to - it will help keep you motivated. Watch out for alcohol, social situations, other smokers, weight gain, and bad moods/depression. These things can make you fall off the Quit Wagon. Like I�ve said � be prepared for these things. We�ve quit. You can too. We�ll be here to support you if you need us. I look forward to celebrating your milestones with you. Fondly, Free [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 177 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,330 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $708 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

Monica, It is flu season. I would recommend you consult your doctor just to rule out the possibility of something illness related. Although every quit is different, these do not sound like typical withdrawal symptoms. Take good care of yourself in the days to come. Feel better soon! Danielle ________________________ The SSC Support Team

Monica, Small changes in your routine may help you alleviate some of these cravings. Find new distractions or relaxation strategies to pass the time. Keep persevering, Danielle __________________________ The SSC Support Team

That's a great attitude Monica! Weight gain is only temporary. For now, just focus on your quit. Caregiving is very stressful. Be sure to try to squeaze in some time for yourself when you can. Perhaps exploring respite care may be helpful to you? Keep strong and reward yourself for staying smoke free! Danielle _______________________ The SSC Support Team

Monica, You're welcome. Hopefully you'll get some help soon. At least your health will start to improve as a result of your quit. Definitely something to look forward to! If your having trouble with the quit meter, contact us through our feedback section with a detailed account of your problem and we will be more than happy to help you get it working. Danielle ________________________ The SSC Support Team

Monica, Good job on overcoming that craving! You're doing beautifully! Keep it up! Danielle ______________________ The SSC Support Team

Monica, Good job rewarding yourself! You certainly deserve it. Keep up the good work! Danielle ______________________ The SSC Support Team

Wow! I commend you on your efforts! You definitely can do this. I am a CNA at a nursing home and I understand that caregiving can be very stressful. I don't know if I could do it 24 seven like you. Perhaps you should check out other care. You said it's a life threatening desease. Do you mean terminal? If so you should really check out if you have any kind of local hospice care. They can help out alot. Anyway. Congrats on you quit so far. It's been a week. To live with the stress you have and only slip 3 times is commendable. Do overlook those slips though. Really be vigiliant not to do it again. I've lost many a quit thinking slipping is no big deal...until the slips got closer and closer to together. I think you got the picture ;) Keep it going. Your doing great! Tennielle

Chin up dear. You are doing fabulous :) Tennielle