Quitting Smoking (OT)

[Pooh]

Rach & Mrs. M,
You two gals are going great!  And look at the influence you have on your hubbies.  Men always a love a challenge.  I am so proud of the pair of you. 

Mrs. M you are amazing, I've never heard of someone smoking in their dreams.     At least that way you will still "stink purty". 

Go girls, GO! you are doing great!

Hugs, Pooh

[Rach]

Hey Purty Coach! We stinking real Purty!! 
14 days for me, & 12 for hubby.


Urges getting less & less. My lifestyle or routines have changed, obviously for the better. Keeping busy with some early spring cleaning. My cats are cuddling up to me more.
Thank you Mim... You started & gave me the thought, that maybe I could stop too.
Love you gal!
by the way... I am sleeping much better. For one, the plaquenil and I'm certain due to stopping smoking. I'm gettting a much more "rested" sleep.

Reading more info about benefits of not smoking.
Here are just a few, for those interested in thinking about quitting. This list is from the American Lung Association.

At 20 minutes after quitting:
*blood pressure decreases
*pulse rate drops
*body temperature of hands & feet increases ( for all you Raynauds by the way)

At 8 hours:
*carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
*oxygen level in blood increases to normal

At 24 hours:
*chance of a heart attack decreases

At 48 hours:
*nerve endings start regrowing
*ability to smell & taste is enhanced

At 2 weeks to 3 months:
*circulation improves
*walking becomes easier
*lung function increases

1 to 9 months:
*coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breathe decreases

1 year:
*excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker

At 5 years:
*from 5-15 years of quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

At 10 years:
*risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half of continued smokers
*risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreases
*risk of ulcer decreases

At 15 years:
*risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
*risk of death to nearly the level of people who have never smoked

[Pooh]

Hi Rach,
All excellent reasons to hang in there.  You can do it and look at all the advantages you will have. 

Hugs, Pooh

[LenV]

Hey Rach,
Wonderful news!!   I'm so proud of you both.  Are you finding that people who smoke actually stink yet? You will get this way before long.  I find tobacco actually offensive smelling now.

Keep it up and tell your husband how proud of him I am. 

One of the other advantages of stopping this nasty habit is that your cats will live longer too.  They aren't having to breathe second hand smoke.  Hey...  anything that causes your kitties to snuggle more is great!!! Kitty snuggles are the best.       And you will all be "Stinking Purty!"

Billye

[Rach]

One thing... I have never smoked in-doors. So my kitties never endured that torture. but they did smell it on me, when I came inside from outside! That shows you that even though you only smoke outside.... the stench will still stick to your clothing!

Anyone who reads this...please, if you gotta smoke, take it outside...your pets suffer from the odor...they're breathing into their tiny lungs.

Billye, none of my friends smoke. Unless I went to a bar or other, I could only imagine the smell. But I do remember my mother-in-laws house odor....peewwwww!

Rach

[mim]

Well hello all,

3 weeks and 3 days, still not cracked.

Have been on half term this week with harry so thought I might be a bit tempted, not being busy etc, but have managed ok.

Billye - with reference to the smell of smoke being offensive - I seek out people who are either smoking or have just finished a cigarette, what a joy the smell is - so no have not reached that point yet.

Rachel, loved the breakdown of what changes happen over the days/weeks/months I think the problem is (with me anyway) I was well aware of the damage, and well aware of what giving up would do for me, I was still willing to smoke for many years with the mind set of, one day, one day, well that day came, at last, and now that info you posted is read and actually absorbed as some of the benefits I already feel.

Still having the weird dreams, last night was - wait for it - the government had made an official break from giving up smoking segment everyday, therefore for a short period each day you could smoke, but still be classed as a giving up smoking person.

How weird is that, I might do a search on the net for weird dreams and quitting.  I am actually quite un nerved by some of the dreams, not only to do with smoking, but some of them are strange in their own way without any smoking involvement.  They remain very vivid, and are still happening about every other night after 3 weeks. 

Hubby still off them, got a bit of a thing going with gum though, got a phone call yesterday when he was on his way home from work, saying have I got any gum, he can handle not having the cigs but he had run out of gum, go figure, at least it is cheaper I suppose, and sugar free.

Anyway you must all be getting bored with these postings now so will cut down to maybe once a week, don't panic, they will stop eventually  a week will go by when you don't get a post and you can all heavy a sigh of relief ha ha.

Go there Rachel and Hubby - real proud of you stinkin purty pair!!

Love n Hugs and BIG BIG thanks for reading the ravings of an old nicotine hag.

Mim


Stinkin purty gal and  gum boy

[LenV]

Mim,
For some reason I feel so proud and teary eyed when I read your post.  I'm proud of you and your husband of course but I'm also proud of this group for the support they have given you.  When this thread started I thought to myself, "this thread won't last long".  But everyone has given you such support and you and Rach and your husbands have all done so well.  I like to think that part of the reason is the support we've given that has gotten you all this far.

WELCOME TO THE STINKING PURTY CLUB!!!! You've earned it!!  You are now official members.   

Billye

[Pooh]

Mrs. M and Rach, and hubby's,
I am so proud of you sticking with it.  You will all have such a great time in the future.  Breathing will be easier and you will have a easier time with everything.  Congrats! to all of you. 

Billye, I thought the same thing when Mim mentioned in chat that she was going to start this thread.  Ain't we a great bunch of supporters.  I too hope we have helped in some small way to encourage this fantastic feat. 

Go girls, Go!  Stink Purty Forever!
Hugs and God Bless,
Pooh

[Rach]

Hi All,
Still not smoking! I'm been ill for the past few days, same old stuff.
I wanted to thank all of you who supported me in this effort to quit. It helps knowing that others can appreciate the struggle, in too, making up my mind to just quit.
I'm pretty sure I couldn't have done that on my own... perhaps I could, but not sure in that.

I do believe that in quitting, will make a huge difference in lowering my symptoms and hopefully heal some illness too... one never knows.

Anyway thank you ((((ALL))). You're a grand bunch of people & you've made, making the world nicer, caring, understanding, thoughtful place to live...because you've shared experiences, your knowledge and love.

I'm signing off for awhile, but I'll check in periodically to see how all are doing.
Take care & God Bless,
Rach

[Linda196]

I'm glad you're still doing well as far as not smoking, hope you feel better soon all round.
We'll miss you, but I'm glad you still plan to keep in touch, and let us know how things are going for you.

[LenV]

Rach,
I'm so sorry you're not feeling well.  Please come back soon and let us know how you are. Hugs to you and congrats on the will to quit the smoking.  I know you're "Stinking Purty"

Billye

[mim]

Stinkin Purty Girl and Gum Boy still going good

[LenV]

Love it!! Love it!! Love it!!!    Mim and Gum Boy stinking purty, gumming purty and I hear looking purty!

Great Mim, I'm so proud of you both. 

Billye

[Pooh]

Mrs. M, You are doing great.  I knew you could do it.    Tell hubby he's doing good too.  I know how much his quitting too, has helped you stay on track.  Bravo! to both of you.

Rach,
I hope you feel better real soon, but please do keep up the great work of quitting.  Please don't be a complete stranger, let us know now and then how you are doing. 

Hugs and God Bless,
Pooh

[mim]

6 weeks today still stinkin purty