Hi Terry,
You've come to the best place in the world to help you quit smoking and most of the time we don't do any nagging here
. You've gotten and will get all the help and encouragement you could want here. Prepare in every way you can think of for your quit day. It will make it much easier and less stressful to know what you might encounter in your quit and have a plan pre-made for unexpected cravings. Do all the workbooks and read everything you can about addiction (Henny Penny's right...the EasyWay to Quit Smoking really helped me understand addiction better). Get yourself into a positive frame of mind. Freespirt speaks the truth...you don't have to suffer, you're not giving up anything good...you're simply going to stop doing something that's harmful and will cause your body more damage every time you do it!
I understand a little of what you're going through health wise, as I too have Scleroderma though I am still in the early stages and my organs are ok so far (I have the auto-immune disorder, CREST syndrome, plus fibromyalgia). Prevention of cumulative damage to our organs is key to staying healthy with the Scleroderma as you know, so your quitting smoking will benefit you from the very SECOND you smoke your LAST ONE! It may be helpful to think about what the smoke is doing inside your body each time you light up and each time you inhale. every puff you take now and analyze every craving you beat down as well! Journal your triggers, when you're cravings and make plans to change your routine, distract yourself and find ways to avoid triggers and cravings for the first few days.
Rewards are important, so stock up on little things and plan your big rewards. Our bodies are used to the reward of smoking (about 40 times a day for you) so substitute not doing something bad with something good until your body heals and your endorphines kick back in naturally. Yes, your body will need time to heal just from the nicotine withdrawl, so when you're feeling uncomfortable in your early quit, embrace it and know it's your body getting better. After the first couple weeks it's a mental game. The mental game is what most of us have trouble with, that's why we don't usually stay quit the first few times we try. Read up on addictions and be ready for it to try to lure you back. Gain the knowledge you need to kick the addiction out of your life for good and make this your "forever" quit. Be ready, then stay vigilant and you will win your freedom forever from this horrible addiction.
I'll be thinking of you on the 2nd wishing you well with your quit. Stick close to the SSC as you prepare for your quit and post whenever you have questions or need help. Know without a doubt that you can and will do this and then protect your quit at all costs. We can offer buckets of support, and with your determination you will quit and never, ever look back. Freedom from addiction is so worth it.
Please let us know how it goes on the 23rd and 24th. Best of luck, wishing you tons of knowledge and good mojo all around.
Pat
My Milage:My Quit Date: 1/28/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 576
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 23,040
Amount Saved: $11,520.00
Life Gained:Days: 70
Hrs: 8
Mins: 47
Seconds: 31
