As many of you know, I have been having tests and operations at clinics and hospitals here in France. I have a Sarcoma in my chest cavity. Apparently, it was not caused by 40 years of smoking.....I do find that hard to believe, but it may be so.
What has horrified me is the number of people ouside these chest clinics and hospitals, still attached to their oxygen and drips, and still smoking. I have also never seen so many people on portable oxygen and so many people with laryngectomies (operations to remove the voice box.) I've spoken to smokers here, and the answer is they CAN'T quit. Occasionally I try to persuade them to think about it seriously and have another go at it, but most are adamant that they will just die smoking. They are the WON'T quit brigade! I suppose I was very hard headed too when I was smoking and felt that it would be impossible for me to quit. So many of us felt the same.
When opportunity comes around and we take the decision to quit, there are also two groups....the determined NOPE group...they realise that from the moment of quit, not one puff is possible. Then there is the MAYBE group, who are trying again, but without the sheer determination to remain smoke free whatever happens.
WHATEVER IT TAKES!!! That was one of my mantras as I tried to quit, and I did the weirdest things in order to stay smoke free. It is a huge fight....a veritable battle....but it can be won and with the help this site and with positive thinking and determination, anyone can do it. Once you quit, you need to look forward to the future.....to the new and great benefits of quitting, and not back to the old ways of killing yourself.
As for me......health update is: now recovered from my last operation, I begin chemotherapy in the next 2 weeks. Hopefully I can remain as positive during this phase of treatment as I did when quitting!
NEVER LOOK BACK. THE FUTURE IS AHEAD!!!
Love Lolly.
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My Milage:My Quit Date: 11/25/2004
Smoke-Free Days: 1331
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 46,585
Amount Saved: �6,655.00
Life Gained:Days: 172
Hrs: 21
Mins: 4
Seconds: 40