"You can survive this. Talk to others that have"

click4it posted 6/18/2013 13:38 PM

Well, this is my 1000th attempt to quit smoking.

I decided yesterday on my way home that I really didn't want to smoke the last cigarette that was in my pack, but did anyway. I then said to myself, you are already smoking less these days and don't really enjoy it much anymore so why not take the plunge and just QUIT once and for all.

Why not??

I had to actually examine how long I would want to live my life and if it would be worth it to quit. I know pretty dismal thinking.

I decided I really don't want to end up with cancer, though nothing is foolproof against that. I watched my father suffer with cancer and I do not want to go through that.

I threw out my empty pack of cigarettes this morning and did not buy a new pack.

I have no idea if I will make it through the day, but here's my self-acclaimed attempt!

I wondered if I should even say it out loud because I've failed everytime.

nowiknow23 posted 6/18/2013 13:45 PM

Yay Clicky!!!! You can do this, honey. Lots of other quitters here who have walked in those same steps, and I know they'll help you through it too.

nowiknow23 posted 6/18/2013 13:46 PM

Also? Brilliant choice on the topic icon. I actually snorted.

tushnurse posted 6/18/2013 13:48 PM

Yeah Clicky!!!
Go get some nicorette, licorice, and nuts. Replace that habit with something else.

You can do this. Put the money that you were spending in a special envelope, put it in there everytime you would have bought more. When you get some money built up do something awesome for you.

My Dad drank, my mom chain smoked, and one year they decided to quit, Dad quit New years day, and Mom quit April fools day. They put all that money aside, a year later they went on a week long all-inclusive trip to the Dominican with just that money!!! Mom never picked up another one, Dad still drinks, but they seem happy.
They are 70 now my mom took up exercise to replace the smoking. She is a pretty awesome looking 70 year old grandma.

You CAN do this!!!

gahurts posted 6/18/2013 13:49 PM

You can do this. It will be tough but you will be so much happier for it. Hang in there.

I watched both grandfathers and a great grandfather die from Emphysema due to smoking. That is just as bad or worse than the cancer so use those images to help drive you towards your goal.

Good luck!

click4it posted 6/18/2013 13:55 PM

I know I would actually like to have duct tape handy to duct tape my mouth during the next few hours, days, months....

I did it once before for 7 years, so I know its possible, but after going back to it for so long...I don't know "how" to live without it.

Thank you for all the encouragement!! I hope I can actually stick to it.

HFSSC posted 6/18/2013 14:55 PM

JM is quitting too! Yesterday was his official quit date. He's doing the patch right now but may switch to the gum. Will keep you both in my prayers because I know how hard it is.

nowiknow23 posted 6/18/2013 15:20 PM

but after going back to it for so long...I don't know "how" to live without it.

Not enough to stop the bad habit - you need a new, healthier one to replace it. I have a friend who replaced her work smoke breaks with walking breaks. And when she was really jonesing, she would suck on a sugar free lollypop. Got any ideas for what will work for you?

Jennifer99 posted 6/18/2013 15:21 PM

Let me know how it goes. This is on my to-do list for after I get the rest of my sh....stuff together.

Dreamboat posted 6/18/2013 16:53 PM

Good luck click!

click4it posted 6/18/2013 16:57 PM

I've bought lifesavers and tic tacs so far...I am thinking I will need suckers to keep my hands busy.

Good luck to JM too!

I've recently started eating healthy too, cutting down on my calorie intake, etc.

I just hope I'm not trying to do too much at once.

I too always said "when I get my shit together" I'll quit. But guess what? There is always some type of "shit" going on in our lives at some point or another, so honestly "that time" will never come.

Eranda posted 6/18/2013 22:33 PM

All the things that most people say to do to quit... lollipops, gum, exercise, patches, blah blah blah. All of that was a JOKE to me. No way any of it would come even remotely close to working for me.

Then I got tongue cancer. Surgically removed, no chemo or radiation. But still...

I quit nearly 7 weeks ago using an e-cig. Not one of the ones in Wal-Mart or the gas station, those are worthless to a hard-core smoker like me. I got myself a decent setup and kept trying new things until I found something that worked. And I did.

Both my docs approve, and I am happy with it. It works and I still get my "habit"- which for me would be the hardest thing to break. Win-win.

If you are having a hard time, or relapsing, try an e-cig. PM me for more info if you want, there are loads of ways I can help.

click4it posted 6/18/2013 23:52 PM

Eranda, reading your post about tongue cancer was one of the jolts that gave me consideration to quit. I've been steadily tapering down for months on my own because it just didn't "do it" for me anymore. And I might as well just on the opportunity to "say fuck it I quit" while I still got it in me.

24 hours and I made it. I do however really want to buy the gum as I've never tried it and want to give it a shot.

I'll PM you if interested in the e-cig. Good luck on your quitting!!

lost_in_toronto posted 6/19/2013 09:28 AM

Congrats on the first 24 hours! I found the first three days the hardest; after that, things got a little bit easier. Good luck!

cryingdaily posted 6/19/2013 09:39 AM

I wondered if I should even say it out loud because I've failed everytime.

I failed EVERY time too.....until this time.

My stats as of right now:
Time Smoke-Free: 162 days, 10 hours, 34 minutes and 14 seconds

Cigarettes NOT smoked: 3249

Lifetime Saved: 24 days, 19 hours

Money Saved: $1,296.00

Altoids, for some reason, helped me with cravings. I think it might be the strength. When I popped one in my mouth and took a breath, I kind of got the same feeling in the back of my throat. Or maybe I'm just weird.

Anyway, you can do this....and if you slip, you haven't failed, just start again.

karmahappens posted 6/19/2013 09:49 AM

Damn it, I wish I hadn't opened this thread.

It's on my list but I keep changing the dates.

Doctors appt in 2 weeks, planning on getting some help but I am so afraid...

It's a frigging cigarette, how can they have that much control over me...grrrrr

Good luck click, I know you will feel better.

:)

nowiknow23 posted 6/19/2013 09:52 AM

How are you doing today, click?

Deeply Scared posted 6/19/2013 09:55 AM

I had to actually examine how long I would want to live my life and if it would be worth it to quit

Click, I did the same thing.

My mom always said "we all die a little each day, it's part of life" and when I would reflect on that while smoking a cigarette...I would think to myself "why am I accelerating my death?" and that is what finally triggered me hard enough to quit

This August 2nd will be 7 years (it may be 8...I'll have to check with MH) that we both quit for good. We haven't even so much as held a cigarette. Sure I'll practically sit on someone's lap that IS smoking just to get a good strong inhale of fresh smoke but quitting was one of the hardest and most rewarding things we've ever done

And way to go CD!!!!!

click4it posted 6/19/2013 12:16 PM

You guys are such inspiration!! CD congrats!! DS I totally remember when you announced you quit 7 years ago.

I totally like the idea of the altoids!! Since I smoke menthol cigs, that might just the kick!

NIW - thank you for asking how I am doing today. I am actually hanging in there - its been at least 30 hours since my last cig and I went to the store yesterday searching for nicorette gum and they didn't have any. I am going to another store today after work to find some.

I feel like my body is saying "ok we are fine right now because its all just temporary, but you will be back!!" So, I worry.

BUT - I feel more determined this time, I don't know quite sure why, but I NEED to do this. I WANT to do this.

And yes, its amazing how these lil fuckers and control our lives. I sit back and think how do people NOT smoke. How do they actually live??? How do they have any enjoyment in life?? Only a smoker knows what I'm talking about.

little turtle posted 6/19/2013 12:42 PM

I WANT to do this.

Fantastic!!! Keep it up! A friend of mine recently quit smoking. She has an app on her phone that is keeping track of the time since she quit, the money saved, the number of cigarettes she's not smoked, and the time she has saved by not smoking. It looks like it's called "cessation nation." Might be another place to get motivation and stay on track?