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DM555 3 3

Browse through 411.742 posts in 47.053 threads.

160,431 Members

Please welcome our newest members: Jgorilla, anna13, CCaballero, JJAY EVANGEL, VKATE DARLENE

So, I've been reading posts..........


15 years ago 0 289 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Steve you asked about the craves, after 131 days I still get a craving I had one today right after lunch but they are so much easier to fight off and arent nearly as strong or long as they were in the begining.
 
Lisa

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/30/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 131
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,240
Amount Saved: $576.40
Life Gained:
Days: 14 Hrs: 8 Mins: 28 Seconds: 52

15 years ago 0 1890 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello, Smokey Joe. That is a terrific, very supportive, post for Steve and I am very glad to meet you. Welcome to the SSC; it's great to welcome new members with such positive attitude!
     Congratulations on your 34  Days. Hope to hear more from you...
 
 
Patrick


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/18/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 192
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,800
Amount Saved: $2,160.00
Life Gained:
Days: 35 Hrs: 16 Mins: 28 Seconds: 59

15 years ago 0 31 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Steve, How are you doing today?
 
I hope that after a good sleep you feel strong to face today head on, and take on all its challenges!
 
Gosh, reading your post I can almost hear many of my own thoughts and concercns, whilst I am not about to go thru surgery and have not lost a parent I did lose a very very close relation after an op.......she was a smoker and was seriously ill and going thru major surgery, although the surgery was a success she never  regained concioussness and ever since I will not go under sedation...I had quite an invasive procedure a year or so ago and chose to go thru that without sedative - but trust, me I will be feeling extremly apprehensive if and when the time comes.  I think your thoughts and concerns are just understandable considering what you have been thru, but please try to keep as calm as possible - its fine to be nervous and anxious about a surgery but I am sure a consultant would be able to help put many of your fears into true prospective, and steve, ultimately a smoke is not going to make those fears go away, its not going to change anything other than put your health at greater risk - and I am guessing you would also feel great dissapointment in yourself too for giving in to the evil white ones!! You've done so well....nearly 3 days of extra life gained, awesome!
 
As for your other issues, just give things a bit of time - battle one thing at a time each day at a time, u dealt with the smokes, deal with the surgery, then deal with everything else, one thing at a time once thats over!  Your only human Steve and you cannot possibly battle everything at once!! The job might be driving you nuts but least you have one and its bringing home the bacon, plus, your not going to change that overnight it needs planning! As for the girlfriend situation only you guys can sort that out, Maybe your relationship is just feeling the pressure of all the other strains and stresses going on in your life, on the other hand maybe it has run its course and its time to move on - only you can answer that question. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since I quit and some of my close friendships and relationships have been quite strained and I have been extremely emotional and quite depressed too - I honestly believe that an element of our quit is learning to deal with life stresses in a different way than just reaching out for the pack of 20!! We've come so far thou steve, and I know deep down in my heart of hearts one puff, one cigarette, one packet is not going to change anythin thats going on, all of lifes stresses are still going to be there,  and it would not really make any of it any easier- you know that.
 
Steve sorry for the real long message but if it helps!!!!! Am always willing to chat, so if I am online, and you need an ear just yell!!! keep strong Steve, you can do this and get thru everthing and once your the otherside you will be ever so proud of your acheivements and no doubt inside you will be a much stronger person for it!  Stay close to all yr new friends here and let us know how yr doing.....we will be thinking of you
 
x x NOPE NOPE NOPE x x


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 6/24/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 34
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 850
Amount Saved: �34.00
Life Gained:
Days: 2 Hrs: 14 Mins: 48 Seconds: 6

15 years ago 0 41 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks everyone.
 
There are so many things going on in my life right now that it almost overwhelming. The surgery is getting close, I need to move, the girlfriend and I aren't getting along so well and I hate my job.
 
There is more to my fears regarding the surgery than I have expressed. My father went into the hospital a  few years ago for what was to be a minor surgery, hernia repair. After the surgery he had one conscious afternoon, he died 4 days after the surgery. This last February my mother went into the hospital to have the veins in her neck repaired. The day after the surgery she had a heart attack which then lead to a stroke.
 
I'm really trying not to be so negative about everything. The load I'm carrying is just getting heavier and heavier.  Yes, I know that I am creating most of that load. Of all things I have to juggle in my head right now quitting smoking is the least of my worries.Other than the cravings I'm doing fine. Much better than I ever imagined I would.
 
Ok, it's getting late and I really should go to bed soon so I'll end for now. Are there any other night owls on here like me? I see there is a chat feature. Might be nice to 'talk' to someone.


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/13/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 15
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 225
Amount Saved: $31.50
Life Gained:
Days: 2 Hrs: 17 Mins: 56 Seconds: 5

15 years ago 0 433 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello Steve,
Reading all the posts here must seem very overwhelming.
But I also think it's a good representation of quitters. There is a huge cross section
of quitting experiences. 
Not every quit is the same.  That is just the truth.
But you will also see that whatever happens along the way, there are others who have 
experienced it who can help the next person.
 
I wish I had read more at the beginning to realize that really, quitting is a process about me. Not the 
cigarettes.  I for one, hit a bad patch.  Sorry if you read me post and got scared.
Some people breeze along, some hit bumps but all want to be DONE with the cigs.  We just
get there different ways. 
 
I think that Pen and Lolly are superb examples veterans with great positive attitudes. Read what they
say and believe it.   Lolly is a hero in many of our eyes for her fantastic attitude. 
 
Stick around.... don't panic... it will all come together.  You will love being quit!

 

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 4/1/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 117
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,808
Amount Saved: $673.92
Life Gained:
Days: 14 Hrs: 8 Mins: 58 Seconds: 53

15 years ago 0 1160 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Steve,
Life is a process, just like you are learning to deal with not smoking, you will learn to think in a positive manner. It's not just not lighting up, it has changed my whole attitude. Addiction is not easy to get away from. I was a whinner to begin with and I have learned so much about me since I begin this journey. You will loose those urges in time and you will be so suprised at who you really are. It takes awhile to get from under the smoke screen.
 
Lolly, so glad to hear from you. Still giving and smiling. You are my hero. Hugs

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/4/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 389
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 7,780
Amount Saved: $1,556.00
Life Gained:
Days: 52 Hrs: 8 Mins: 40 Seconds: 18

15 years ago 0 1209 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Steve,  I have had some "urges"  I can't say they were all that strong.. I did have a few days before Milestones like 50
 and 90, they were only a few days.  just before 100 I hd a couple days the craves were fairly strong.
 
 I would come here and read...  I would start a project ... a crave won't kill you... an it will go away.  After 30 days, the thoughts or urges were not really that often and not that strong, except for a few days.  Since I have hit the 100 +  it is much easier.. I have gone through quite a few emotional "triggers" and nevr even thought about lighting up.
 
I saw people who caved after long quits, so I try to come and read.. I see the "newbies" struggling"  I see someone rejoice at the first week, 2 weeks, 30 days etc.  It reminds me of what I went through.. and that I don't want to do it again.
 
It is an addiction... we opened the nicotine receptors... wish we could shut them all off.. and maybe someday they will come up with that.   I go days without thinking about smoking..      I will get a "thought"  and wonder where that came from... and  it's gone.. sometimes a  couple good eep breaths.. or just go do something.  Sometimes I need to come here for reassurance and to see my friends..
 
It does get easier... does it ever go totally away ?  I don't know.  I just know my answers is No...
 
look at yourself in the mirror in the morning and say  I pledge No smoking for me today....
 
Bonnie
 
 

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 2/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 168
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,856
Amount Saved: $571.20
Life Gained:
Days: 24 Hrs: 2 Mins: 9 Seconds: 53

15 years ago 0 1080 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Steve, I used to feel the same despondency reading some of the more negative posts. I am the type who needs to think/ know that things are going to get easier, and reading misery just used to pull me down .
I also used to feel guilty that my quit has been a relatively 'easy' quit and after being a heavy smoker for nearly 40 years that was the last thing I expected believe me!
So, take heart from me, its not always tough around 50 or 100 days for everybody, all our quits are different. I might get to 100 days and have an overwhelming urge, but you know what??? I doubt it.
You are doing brilliantly Steve, and I wish you well for your surgery and please if you can find the time to let us know how you're doing post surgery we'd love to hear.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 78
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,950
Amount Saved: $1,170.00
Life Gained:
Days: 9 Hrs: 4 Mins: 56 Seconds: 33

15 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
There is great wisdom and experience here, take what you need and keep it close.
 
Our thoughts are with you.

Josie, Health Educator
15 years ago 0 1890 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Steve, the discectomies you're about to have are not that life-threatening at all. Any full anaesthesia is a little risky but look at the benefits... you'll be without pain very soon after the operation and your mobility will be restored to you.  This operation has been on the books for donkey's years now so you can be confident that it will go well.
    Like Penitent and Lolly say, try not to dwell on the negative feelings you come across in the forums here. Like Jim Hotsio says - keep a Positive Mental Attitude... it has incalculable effect.  Calm yourself by doing deep breathing and trust in the skills of your surgeon and anaesthetist...
 
Patrick


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/18/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 191
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,775
Amount Saved: $2,148.75
Life Gained:
Days: 35 Hrs: 12 Mins: 19 Seconds: 43


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