*****big News****

[Jack Jones]

I've been totally smoke free for about 2 years now. Prior to that I spent a good few years only smoking about 1 - 2 per day because I just couldn't let it go. Ended up getting real sick and hospitalized with a lung issue. Trust me, if you've even had surgery on or near the lungs, that will curb your desire to damage them more real quick. I stopped totally during the recovery and never looked back.

However, when I'm really really stressed, or when the wind carries the scent of tobacco just right, I still crave like the devil. Then I touch the scar on my back and remember why I quit.

Hang in there, it's so incredibly hard to do, and if you slip up here and there, remember that you haven't thrown it all away.

Good luck!!

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I quit about 5 years ago, was in the hospital due to an infection, was told a story by a guy in the room about how he was in the same hospital a few years prior, and had his veins in his legs all stripped out due to the nicotine restricting his blood flow, and he was in the hospital for a few months and missed the major hollidays with friends and family. Long story short, I have never before heard about nicotine collecting in your veins, and kinda blew it off. (this guy was a friend of the roomate I had in the hospital).

My doctor was out of town for a couple of more days so a fill in was looking after me. She asked the normal list of questions including "Do you smoke?". I answered yes, kinda had the attitude of I know it is your job to tell me to quit. She proceded to tell me that if I continue to smoke it will restrict the blood flow in my veins in my legs and cause me more problems than I already have. ( my legs hold water like nothing you have ever seen. I look like the elephant man if I dont wear my elastic stokings). My doctor has never told me about this, and he knows I smoke, I asked him, he confirmed it as a possibility.

Thank you to Dr. Paula Bruggensmith for putting it into words that made it personal for me to quit. I have had my stumbles when drinking, but for only the night I am drinking.

To those of you who are just now quitting, the dreams you have of smoking again, are very vivid and will make you feel like you did something wrong. It is OK, we all have been through it.

Keep your head up and as Chief said, "You guy's can do it. You just have to have your mind made up that that is what you want. If your brain is not in it, you won't quit. You have to be determinded!"

[exiledguide]

Last smoke July 10 1997 on the way into the hospital for stage 3 colon cancer surgery didn't expect to realy quit but lying in bed attached to morophine drip not being able to get out of bed without help made me decide I never wanted to be back in a hospital so I quit cold turkey. It was not easy but not as hard as I thought it would be. I had put 4 cartons of smkes on my basement workbench, never touched them until I tossed them one month after I came home. I still reach for a smoke when I have my second cup of cofee, not as often as I used to and whenever I start my boat motor. You have gone through the toughest part getting those chemicals out of your system. Good luck.

[stlfisher]

I quit August of 2009. It wasn't easy, but like others said my brain was into it, so I managed. Very happy I quit...my fiance's Uncle is dying from liver failure (drinking) and lung cancer (smoking). Let me tell you this is a brutal to way to go. Quit if you can.

[fishingjim]

I never say much about this subject anymore, I used to preach at guys all the time, I quit many years ago but I did something different than most people. I put that money aside every week that I spent on cigarettes. It's much easier now, because I bank on line and can move the money every week in just a few minutes, Right now that acct has almost $30,000.00 in it. That's right 30 grand!!!!! I will continue this until I retire in few years, And then??? I don't know maybe a new boat, or new truck or a trip of a lifetime with my wife. I 'm not saying this to brag about the money, just to give people a little added incentive to quit. I still suffer from the effects of many years of heavy smoking. OK, sermon's over.

[stlfisher]

I never say much about this subject anymore, I used to preach at guys all the time, I quit many years ago but I did something different than most people. I put that money aside every week that I spent on cigarettes. It's much easier now, because I bank on line and can move the money every week in just a few minutes, Right now that acct has almost $30,000.00 in it. That's right 30 grand!!!!! I will continue this until I retire in few years, And then??? I don't know maybe a new boat, or new truck or a trip of a lifetime with my wife. I 'm not saying this to brag about the money, just to give people a little added incentive to quit. I still suffer from the effects of many years of heavy smoking. OK, sermon's over.

I did something similiar to this when I quit.

[ollie]

When I quit back in 98 I went cold turkey as well. Granted I wasn't a hardcore smoker, only about a half pack a day, I did it for everyone around me. When your little boy of 5 looks at you and begs you to stop for your health then it is hard to say no to him. Then my wife told me she didn't like kissing an ashtray either. After I had been smoke free for a couple or three months I had a really stressful day at work and a buddy offered me a smoke to calm me down. I took it in a heartbeat, but after a couple of puffs, it made me sick to my stomach and that was the last time I smoked a cigg. Glad now of course that I quit, but I know the temptation is there. Mind over matter is simply what it takes to stop IMO. Be strong, you can do it!