I'm doing it!

[SengaKitty]

Today's been a test, with SecondLife screwing up while I'm trying to work (I DJ online and get paid to do so), but I'm still sticking with it.... Ya'll's support is amazingly helpful. Coming back and seeing this threads of "you can do it"s has kept me going. Thanks guys!

[Jester]

Of course you can do it. You are stronger than you know, and this is going to make you realize it a little bit more.

And I pledge to you that for every day you don't smoke a cigarette, I won't smoke one either. Okay, that's kind of underhanded, since I am a lifelong nonsmoker.....

Just a thought for the hand-to-mouth and the oral-fixation habit....try using a toothpick instead of a cigarette, a la Director Vance from NCIS. I kind of enjoy chewing on toothpicks myself from time to time, even though I have never smoked.

I'm lucky, I guess. I've only ever had three addictions:

1. Caffeine. Gave it up my sophomore year of college, almost 21 years ago. Sure, I only gave up Coke and Dr. Pepper (I never drank coffee or tea), but I was seriously addicted to them...even would have one in the morning before classes. Now I don't drink it at all, other than the very occasional pick-me-up soda, such as during long road trips or if I have had a lot to drink in a bar and am having trouble keeping my eyes open. (By "very occasional" I mean one caffeinated soda every 1-3 months, if that.)

2. Booze. To those who suggest I give this addiction up, I say "Fuck you!"

3. Women. To those who suggest I give this addiction up, I say "Fuck you sideways!"

Good luck. And call/text/PM me if you ever need some support or encouragement.

[BrenDAnn]

I, too, watched my mother go through the horrors of oral/throat cancer due to smoking. Hers, unfortunately, was discovered right after she stopped smoking. She stopped on a cousin of mine (who had passed of cancer a few years earlier) birthday. She didn't tell anyone, just went and got the patches, and got support online (quitnet.net in case anyone is wondering), and quit the habit. She told her story on the forums there, and believe me, when some of them heard it, they were horrified enough to not EVER want to touch another ciggy. To sum it up: 18 hrs of surgery, replaced the jaw bone with bone from the fibia, had all her teeth pulled, went through radiation, etc. Not a pleasant deal. One of the highlights of her quitting, though, was my (now 14 yr old) niece climbing into her lap, at the age of 8, and saying "Grandma, you don't smell like smoke anymore!" It brought tears to her eyes, and reminded her exactly why she was quitting. Best of luck to you! Sounds like you're doing great so far!

[AccountingDrone]

Just a thought for the hand-to-mouth and the oral-fixation habit....try using a toothpick instead of a cigarette, a la Director Vance from NCIS. I kind of enjoy chewing on toothpicks myself from time to time, even though I have never smoked.

.

Seconded, try flavored toothpicks, right now i have some sort of tea tree oil pepper mint jobbies from the co-op, but you can make your own flavored ones with wilton flavors - take basic wooden toothpicks, and a small shot glass, put a tbsp of vodka in, mixed with a drop or two of the extract and swoosh it around to soak it into the wood, then lay out to dry and put back into a toothpick container to carry with you. A friend of mine like jalapeno toothpicks

[SengaKitty]

take basic wooden toothpicks, and a small shot glass, put a tbsp of vodka in, mixed with a drop or two of the extract and swoosh it around to soak it into the wood, then lay out to dry and put back into a toothpick container to carry with you. A friend of mine like jalapeno toothpicks

Vodka? Really? You think I'd waste good vodka by letting the alcohol evaporate? O.o... I'm actually doing really well with my sugar free hard candies. From fruit flavoured to regular old peppermints (which I love). They're not bad for your teeth, they're fat free, and I've needed them less and less each day. Mostly after meals, and if I'm DJing, or late at night when my insomnia's bad.

I just want the coughing to stop. I know I know, my lungs have to get rid of the crap I've spent the past 11 years putting into them but still! Ugh

[Exaspera]

I had my first smoking dream last night! I bought a pack, sneaked it all around the people I know and woke up before I smoked one. I was riding a horse, too. On a tour of a car show. *shrug*

[SengaKitty]

I had my first smoking dream last night!

I've only had one and it was my first night smoke free. I was at the company I worked for in Louisville, went outside for my lunch break, lit a cigarette and saw A (re: Why would a guy like him.... in life advice) standing at the smoke shack smoking (he quit before I met him and I didn't know at the time of the dream he'd ever smoked) and reading a book. We had a long conversation about the books we were reading. Weird dream.

Anywho congrats on quitting you can do it! I'm now 16 days smoke free and feel great (other than the coughing which can also be attributed to the dust and mold etc being stirred up by our move)

[Exaspera]

So can you, dear! 16 days-you're doing great!

[SengaKitty]

Quick little update: 3 weeks and counting cigarette free Can't wait for the 1 month

[RootedPhoenix]

*throws confetti and happydances* That's awesome!

[tollbaby]

that is fantastic!!! I quit when I got pregnant with my oldest, and I've never regretted it!

[XCashier]

RHPG! You've done a great job so far, I think you can be smoke-free forever!

Sorry about your friend's mom. I'm sure she's cheering you on too from the Great Beyond.

[Der Cute]

RHPG - you go kick some butt! Ciggy and people!

My honey is trying to quit, he's using the patches, and wow did he get cranky. I wanted to give him a bottle and put him to bed lol.

Keep up the good work, and keep us posted.

Cutenob

[taxguykarl]

Way to go, RHPG!

[SengaKitty]

My honey is trying to quit, he's using the patches, and wow did he get cranky. I wanted to give him a bottle and put him to bed lol.

Get him a big bag of dum dums and tell him when he gets a craving to suck on one. Seriously cause the physical craving only lasts 5 minutes. The dum dum lasts longer than 5 minutes. It'll help with the hand to mouth, and he'll need them less and less. I can't use the patches cause they make me break out, and the gum makes me sick, so all I have is will power and candy. I barely even want a cigarette anymore! Barely even think about them