Janis quit - So can I!

[Elliott]

I'm smoking a Marlboro Light as I write this, and I have one more in my last pack of cigarettes. After I post this, I intend to fire that baby up, enjoy it for the last time, clean out the butts, take out the trash and go to bed. I am having surgery on Monday, January 21st, and I can't smoke two weeks before or two weeks after the event, so, I guess like Janis did, I'll just quit. And since I can't use patches or gum for the same reason I have to quit smoking, to reduce possible complications with recovery, it will be cold turkey! I'm happy about this decision, and at the end of the year I'll be about $2,000 richer and much in much better health. I have never felt the negative effects of smoking on my body, and I hope I have not done too much damage already with these smelly, expensive, addictive coffin nails that have been such a good friend to me for the past twenty-five years. So please send me good rudie vibes for the best outcome in the next few weeks. And thank you Janis for being such an inspiration to me in so many ways.... And to all of you on the message board who have had the courage to share with your friends, including me, your success stories about quitting. Love to all!

[KarenSews2]

Good luck to you, Elliott! Why not "buy" your cigarettes as you normally would, by putting away the money you would have spent? Then you'll have lots to spend at the next annual JI Merchandise sale!

[DaveM]

I do that--and by myself a gift each September 21st which is equal to the current cost of a carton of cigarettes. Still have the butt of the last Carlton I smoked pinned to my bulletin board. No idea why...I just can't bring myself to throw it out.

Janis needs to write a quit smoking song. You know it'll be an instant classic.

[hoops]

elliot, best of luck my friend, on all fronts, with the quitting and the surgery
peace
hoops

[gisli]

Wow, cold turkey after 25 years....that´s going to be hard work, but you can pull it off because there is so much more for you to gain by quitting.....good luck on the surgery, hope it is not a serious one.

Keep your spirit up......

[Elliott]

Thanks all, very much. Today was not bad, I guess because I know that smoking is just not an option; so why worry about it. It seems easy when you feel like you don't have a choice in the matter.

[aabram]

All the best, Elliot. Hope your surgery is successful :)

Annabel

[Elliott]

Thank you - this is the end of smokeless day two - no problem so far.

[gisli]

Are you sure??????????????



http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg108/gisli01/post-15-1076008817.jpg

A picture taken after three none smoke days.....first atempt, just kidding.

I smoked for 15 years and to tell the truth it was easier then I thought, to quit, my mood did change, my temper....well I gained temper for a while but hey, a little sacrifice for a big decision and big rewards.

Best and peace and prayers and fingers crossed for you, to you.

[Roady]

Congratulations Elliott-making the decision to quit was the hardest part for me. And then the anxiety until the quitting date was more difficult than the withdrawal. Sounds like you've got a plan! Good luck with your surgery.

Roady

[Elliott]

Thank you all again.... It seems like the habit of reaching for a smoke, or having an excuse to get away from people for a minute or two is what I'm missing most. I'm not really feeling any overwhelming urge to light up; I am enjoying deep, slow breathing... it's sort of a meditation. My hands don't smell and my clothes don't reek. In Houston folks are not allowed to smoke in any public area, including special smoking sections or bars, etc... I have never smoked in my car or in nonsmoking friends houses. It's just not as big a deal as I expected; and again, I don't have a choice, and that makes it a lot easier. And so far I've saved $8.64 usd. :rolleyes:

[hoops]

that's great elliot it's paying off for you already. i think it is helpful that there ar more and more non smoking venues across the country. i know in NY most public buildings only allow smoking after being a certain distance from the place, this includes parks and other out door venues. at our hospitals smaoking is not allowed anywhere near the hospital including in you car parked in the parking lot. this wreaks havoc with psych patients believe me. they cannot smoke during their inpatient status, which can be months even years, and still somehow when they get out they pick up and light one asap.
I'm praying and sending those precious rudie vibes you way
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Hang in there Elliot! I always carried my cigarettes in my shirt pocket, so when I quit, I kept my nicotine gum and some candy in the same pocket. It helped a lot having a "crutch" during those moments when habit kicked in.

22 years later, during pauses in conversation of the like, I still find myself reaching for my shirt pocket even though the idea of smoking never occurs to me.