Reading This Forum is Prevention

[GingerLing]

Greetings all.

I came here for support and to learn more about my Mom's cancer, and while reading all of your stories it's been extremely enlightening, and heartbreaking enough to prompt me to stop smoking cigarettes.

While I'm not quite there yet, I have a plausible target date and solid plan, complete with toolkit.

Not to pick on smokers, I can't see putting my family through the angst I'm reading from others.

That said, this forum, in itself is prevention, for some cancers that could potentially be preventable.

PS: After my quit date in August if I feel the urge for a smoke, I'll replace it with a bit of reading.

[pbj11]

Hey --- THAT is great news!!

Let me share -- I've also greatly reduced my cigarettes per day. I only smoke 3 a day now. I know, I know -- how can I still be smoking when my husband passed from lung cancer? Easy. I'm addicted and he quit 24 years before he was diagnosed, so I've smoked far longer than he did (37 years). I play a nice mental game with justifying smoking and finally said "Nuts to this!" (As a quick aside, in fairness to facts, approx. 15% of lung cancer diagnosis are for people who have never smoked.)

I DO cheat because I found a new gizmo that has made this a no-brainer. Electronic Cigarettes. They contain no tar/tobacco/toxins, but they do have the nicotine. That's why it's been a breeze. Next, I'll work on that aspect of cutting this out too, but for the time being, I've at least reduced most of the bad effects of tobacco.

I'm proud of YOU TOO. Keep us posted as to your progress.

This is HUGE!!! The earlier in life one quits, the better it is for you in the long run. Congrats on this step.

Big hugs,
PBJ

[Joey Gal]

WOOHOO for both of you!!!!
Keep up the good work gals...proud of you!!!

Super Duper (((((HUGS))))

Joey

[GingerLing]

Thanks for the encouragment PBJ, and JoeyGal too! PBJ you should be extremely proud of yourself. Quitting is the hardest thing to do, and this is likely not the opportune time for me. I was in the quit process when Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer in October of 2008, but decided there isn't a 'good time'.

And, I'm sincerely sorry to hear about your husband's death, but admire your strength and tenacity. Awesome role model

I'll try your gizmo; I need all the help I can get! Right now I'm down to 6 cigs per day from 20 with a quit date in 2 weeks.

Big hugs back atcha! Thanks to you both for the encouragement; very much appreciated.

Respectfully,
GingerL

[rockstar]

I think that's fantastic that you guys are quitting smoking.

My boyfriend and I made a deal that if I beat my cancer, he has to quit smoking and now hes gone down from a pack to 4 cigarettes a day!

That's one good thing that has come out of my whole cancer experience.

and since one of his neighbors (who really mentored him as a kid) recently had a heart attack (hes okay now), my boyfriend is more than ever determined to stop smoking!

[GingerLing]

Late in the thread; I've been busy working a lot and trying to curb my smoking by walking and other diversions, but sincerely appreciate your encouraging, thoughful comments.

What amazes me is that cancer survivors are so inspiring to others as well as knowledgable.

Keep the faith and be kind to yourself

Ginger