My long love affair looks like it finally come to an end, and I’m so happy!!!!
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My long love affair looks like it finally come to an end, and I’m so happy!!!! I'm giving it a good swift kick in the but can for good!
We've broken up numerous times, but this time it's for real for real!!!
Here’s my story...
I’ve been a smoker on and off for most of my life. It all started with the occasional smoke from my brother. By the time I graduated from college, I was hooked...broke, but hooked. I always managed to get a pack or two or just bum a few off of friends.
I did stop smoking when I found out I was pregnant. Actually, I didn’t have any problem whatsoever with quitting. I couldn’t imagine smoking while carrying my baby inside me. I started back up when she 2 or 3. Her father was abusive to me (only once). I should have seen the writing on the hold – literally – when he got upset about something, and pushed his hand right through the wall. Anyway, that drove me to smoking again. That smoking stent lasted for several years. I met and fell in love with my college sweetheart and we had child together. Again, it was not a problem stopping when I found out about the pregnancy.
Well, to make a long story short, our marriage didn’t last long, and in the summer of 1999, I purchased a pack. I remember it clearly. My husband had taken the kids somewhere and I had the apartment all to myself...a rarity! Anyway, I opened the pack on the balcony and started puffing away. I remember how my heart was racing and that smell! They smelled...stinky!!! That didn’t last long. Since 1999, I have been a closet smoker. I have smoked at work, outside of my house, etc. I have never let my kids see me with a cigarette, but my oldest knew about my habit. She even left a note for me one day, but I was so addicted by that point, it was useless...though I did appreciate her writing it to me.
So, why and how did I ultimately decide to quit? A couple of reasons, one being my mom has cancer and is going through numerous chemo treatments. Second, I have been single for way too long, and decided to go on e-harmony. I almost got discouraged because the questionnaire was so long. One of the questions was about smoking, and of course I lied. I said I never smoke. Let’s be real, I had to. I met a really nice man. We hit it off instantly. Oh and the conservations we have! I feel as if I‘ve known him all my life. I really didn’t feel like hiding my problem or trying to cover it up from him or anyone else for that reason. We've been dating for a couple of weeks now, and I must say he's quite nice. I was out of town on business this past weekend, and he asked me to call him when I landed. So, as I was walking through the airport and looking for the ground transportation exit, I called him to let him know. Low and behold, he was waiting for me with open arms! I'm still blushing.
But I digress.
Somewhere in the back of my head I’ve always wanted to stop, but on October 15, 2009, I said to myself I wasn’t gonna buy another pack. I enjoyed my last smoke at 1:30pm. COLD TURKEY BABY! It’s been almost 2 weeks and I am not cranky or have a headache – YET!!!! Is this normal?
I haven't had any withdrawal symptoms.
I want to thank all of you that have given me support and well wishes. Giving up smoking is not an easy thing to do. You have to want to give it up for yourself and not anyone else.
If by chance you are reading this diary, and are interested in quitting, I found this article about what happens when you stop smoking. Look at all of the reasons why quitting can be a good thing!
This is what quitters have forward to looking for.
In 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse rate decrease, and the body temperature of your hands and feet increase.
Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. At 8 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases to normal. With the decrease in carbon monoxide, your blood oxygen level increases to normal.
At 24 hours, your risk of having a heart attack decreases.
At 48 hours, nerve endings start to regrow and the ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
Between 2 weeks and 3 months, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier and you don’t cough or wheeze as often. Phlegm production decreases. Within several months, you have significant improvement in lung function.
In 1 to 9 months, coughs, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease as you continue to see significant improvement in lung function. Cilia, tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs, regain normal function.
In 1 year, risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack is reduced to half that of a smoker.
Between 5 and 15 years after quitting, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer drops. Additionally, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease. Even after a decade of not smoking however, your risk of lung cancer remains higher than in people who have never smoked. Your risk of ulcer also decreases.
In 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack in similar to that of people who have never smoked. The risk of death returns to nearly the level of a non-smoker.
http://www.highlighthealth.com/...
Here's the list of GUSsacks and GUS buddies (people who quit before GUS or who never smoked but whose lives have been affected by smoking) as of October 26 2009 (pipe up if you should be on the list and we somehow missed you!):
1BQ, 3rdGenFeminist, Abra Crabcakeya, addisnana, AfroPonix, alstradamus, amk for obama, andsarahtoo, Anne933, aoeu, arcadesproject, Archie2227, ArthurWolf (in memoriam), awkawk, bamablue, barnowl, bgblcklab1, Bike Crash, BirderWitch, bkamr, bleeding heart, blue husky, BlueinKansas, Blue Intrigue, bluestatedem84, BoiseBlue, Brahman Colorado, breedlovinit, BrowniesAreGood, bsmechanic, burrow owl, Cali Scribe, Cen Den, Chocolate Chris, ChurchofBruce, coppercelt, dadanation, dangoch, demkat620, Dexter, DiegoUK, Dingodude, donnamarie, DRo, droogie6655321, duckhunter, EdgedInBlue, Everest42, fhamme, Fineena, Flea, flumptytail, FrugalGranny, Garrett, gooners, greylox, gchaucer2, Geiiga, grndrush, High Tide, Im a frayed knot, Indexer, indyada, Interceptor7, inventor, itsbenj, Jahiz, JamesEB, Jeffersonian Democrat, john07801, jmadlc55, johngoes, Jyrix, jvolvo's Mom, jwinIL14, kai99, kailuacaton, Kelly of PA, kestrel9000,kfd313, khloemi, Khun David, Ksholl, labwitchy, Lady Kestrel, ladypockt, langerdang, LarsThorwald, Last Starfighter, Laurie Gator, Lipstick Liberal, litoralis, lmdonovan, luvsathoroughbred, maggiemay, magicsister, marknspokane, mdemploi, michael1104, Mikeguyver, Minerva1157, MinervainNH, Mother of Zeus, mskitty, nannyboz, ncsuLAN, Nick Zouroudis, one pissed off democrat, Ordvefa, OverTheEdge, paige, PaintyKat, Pennsylvanian, phrogge prince, Positronicus, post rational, psycho liberal, PvtJarHead, red mittens, relentless, revelwoodie, rkex, roadlion, rosebuddear, Safina, SallyCat, Sark Svemes, seenaymah, Scrapyard Ape, sgary, sheddhead, smartcookienyc, spmozart, SpotTheCat, Tay, theatre goon, TigerMom, triciawyse, trueblueliberal, Turn VABlue, Turtle Bay, uc booker, Unduna, Unforgiven, Vacationland, webranding, weelzup, Wes Opinion, willy mugobeer, Wood Dragon, x
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