Congratulations on planning to quit smoking.It's been two years for me now. I didnt think I would ever be able to quit. I didnt smoke since I was a teenager. I smoked about 13 years and I am 53, but as far as I was concerned it might as well been 50 years.
I enjoyed smoking. It felt like it was one thing that belonged to me. I am not encouraging it , I am just trying to tell my story and how I really felt. IT did cost a lot,but I would willingly let something else go to get my cigarettes. Everyone knows the best cigarette is after you finish eating . Well and when you first get up in the morning,and when I first was on my way home from my job. And well, on on on on it goes.
I am almost having a craving thinking back
,but I am ok. I rarely have the cravings now. I have dreamed about it. I ususally dream I am about to smoke one and start my excuses . When I wake up I am so glad it was a dream.
I had tried the gum and patches before. They both worked in their own way, I just know now I wasnt really ready to quit. I was in a bad marriage so anytime I got nervous which was often I smoked. Also my ex husband always nagged me about it. Made me get out of the car to have one in the winter. I think because he hated it I wanted to smoke all the more. I know its silly.
My wonderful husband now had smoked in the past ,but had quit when I met him and he hadnt smoked in a year. Well , eventually he wanted to smoke again. I wouldnt tell him what to do ,because I smoked when we met. I did feel guilty thinking my smoking made it too tempting for him.
About 4 years ago he almost died. Complications from his diabetes and sleep apnea. He did not smoke again. I still smoked especially after riding in the front of the ambulance.
Well after I started having more sickness and not really knowing yet what was going on my doctor started at me about smoking. One day I told my husband after we left his office. He doesnt think I can quit.
I also didnt like something having power over me like cigarettes did. My husband felt the same way. I think that factor is what got to us the most. We are both christians,and didnt want something to have power over us. We only wanted God'spower over us.
One day I told God I could not quit on my own. I was serious. That is how I felt. I ask him in prayer if he would help me. Well at the next doctors visit he started at me again,and I said I am going to quit on Sunday. He laughed and said , Sunday! Why not now.I said, well it is going to be my way,and it will be on Sunday.
That is all history now. I quit on Sunday and havnt smoked again. I quit cold turkey only because I was afraid to have anything else in my system. I wanted it out as soon as possible. I felt like I would do better that way.
Next,doctors appointment he said so when are you going to quit. I said I have already quit. I havent smoked since that Sunday I told you about. He said really? Gave me all the nice comments then ,but still didnt think I would make it. For about 6 months he would ask me. He now doesn t ask me any more.
Even with the sjogren's I know it has helped my body. You can feel the benefits right away.
I know there are always exceptions ,but I think smoking is like drinking . Dont ever take the one cigarette after you have quit.
I was a coffee drinker when I smoked,but while quitting I still wanted my coffee. Actually, even more and I bought me some special flavor coffees to sip on and looked forward to them .I did chew some regular gum. My dad use to tell me that would help and I would think yeah right,but it did help. It was like at times I just needed to work my mouth.
Ok , I can see jokes coming now,but it was true. So it was coffee and juicy fruit . lol...
I will end by saying no person can usually cause another person to quit. It takes something inside a person that means something. I quit with God's help.
Good Luck everyone who attempts to quit. If you dont make it one time, remember their will b e another time,and one of these days you will quit.
susanep
