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Post by Shoesy on Jan 25, 2008 23:18:44 GMT -5
Joan - Actually, I would have to have a bad memory if I didn't remember my first PM. I was so excited to receive it that I was practically dancing around the room. (My arm was injured, not my feet.  ) |
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Post by susanb on Jan 27, 2008 0:57:32 GMT -5
It is so easy to pick up bad habits, We smoke and when something goes wrong whilie we are trying to quit, well, maybe we'll have a drink. Then we realize drinking is'nt a very good substitute, so we find something else.............like a cake. The list goes on and on. It is not simple to quit. You have to dig down deep inside and find that inner strength. I smoked 1 to 11/2 PPD for 10 years and as a gift to my family on Valentines Day, I quit. My husband says that he would never stay the first 2 weeks with me again. The first 2 weeks were the most painful. But, its done, I've NEVER had one again and it's been 24 years. I AM VERY PROUD OF MYSELF!!!!
Susan
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Post by Shoesy on Jan 27, 2008 2:43:22 GMT -5
Susan - That seems like the best Valentine's gift you could have given your family. A belated (24 years ;D) congratulations on your success!
Joan - You've got our support!
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Post by sistereurope on Jan 27, 2008 9:24:34 GMT -5
I wonder how the smoking ban is going in Paris? It takes effect here in MD in a week. I think that it will help a lot of people take that first step. Again, I wish everyone who is struggling with trying to quit many, many positive vibes. Just know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and try to stay strong. You will be so happy that you did (coming from someone who thought life would never be as pleasurable without her cigarettes!)
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Post by GitteK on Jan 27, 2008 11:08:15 GMT -5
sister, in fact smoking bans and campaigns tend to work the opposite way: they make the smokers feel unjustly chased. The general agreement among smokers is that the "health freaks" run some kind of witch-hunt against them.
In DK smoking in restos bigger than 40 m2 (don't ask me why, some idiotic political compromise), workplaces and public buildings was banned in August last year, and ever since we have seen smokers behaving much more agressively and launching very bitter statements in the media.
The smoking ban is great for us non-smokers, because we get rid of the foul stench, but it doesn't seem to help the smokers, who feel more stigmatized than ever. Look at joan1, who has felt compelled for years to hide her smoking, as if she was some kind of criminal or disgusting pervert. How scaring is that ? The ban in fact tragically confirms that "we" try to take away something nice, a genuine pleasure, from the smokers. That "we" try to force them to give up something good, their best friend.
The smokers are not the bad guys, they are the victims, because they are caught in their addiction which they hate, but dread to let go, because of the industry's malicious brainwash.
As I see it, the smoking ban is the industry's best friend.
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Post by sistereurope on Jan 27, 2008 13:10:31 GMT -5
Gitte, I see your point to an extent. But when I had first quit, it was really hard for me to go to my favorite pub because I always associated sitting at the bar drinking a beer with smoking...I usually had a cigarette first thing with my beer. So it was hard to go there and NOT smoke, with everyone around me smoking. It really made it much harder for me, which is why I wrote what I did.
Now it's just bothersome to me to smell it, and I hate how my clothes reek after going to a club or a place that allows smoking. So I'm glad for the restaurant ban. They outlawed smoking in offices and other public spaces here long ago.
I do agree with you that the media surrounding bans does result in stigmatizing people who smoke, which I DO not agree with. And I think that some anti-smoking zealots are just plain mean (ok, make that meanyheads)!
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Post by GitteK on Jun 28, 2008 12:04:08 GMT -5
I know that joan1 will be too modest to tell it in public, so let me be the one to announce the wonderful news: joan1 is now a happy non-smoker and on 1st of July she will be celebrating 6 continuous months of breathing PURE, CLEAN AIR !!  I am SOOOO proud of you, joan1 - and you are a brilliant example to us all for setting a goal and pursuing it determinedly ! I cannot tell you how happy I feel for whatever push in the right direction my and other members' experiences may have provided you with. And only smokers know what we talk about, when we liken the addiction to smoking to being in a prison.  Therefore: all the more reason to celebrate each and every one who escapes.  CONGRATULATIONS WITH YOUR RELEASE FROM NICOTINE HELL ! |
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 28, 2008 12:12:29 GMT -5
That is spectacular news!  I commend you, Joan, on your outstanding achievement, and I thank you, Gitte, for taking the initiative to make this important announcement.  |
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Post by joan1 on Jun 28, 2008 12:57:00 GMT -5
Me modest , HA! I am very proud of myself,, I have never been off smokes for so long( did quit when pregnant though, but that does not count) and I actually FEEL DONE, which is amazing as I have quit serveral times before but never felt "done" with smoking .
The modest one is Gittek, although many of you terrific Paris forum friends encouraged me to quit,,, it was in fact Gitte who through a faithful series of PM's, and also her different attitude towards smoking and quitting smoking, really made a huge difference for me this time..
GITTE deserves the kudos on this one, for going all out to help me, a person she has never met, living thousands of miles away... this is the most amazing forum, and has the most amazing group of posters on it!!
Thanks again to Gitte, and to all my other cheerleaders( Shoesy you too dear, especially for not making me feel bad, which some never smoked people can accidently do)..
PS I have also lost the extra weight that I did in fact gain by quitting, so those of you afraid of that need not worry, you are only 6 months away from clean lungs and your same old figure. !!
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Post by Laura NY (aoi33) on Jun 28, 2008 13:22:44 GMT -5
Joan, there are not enough words to congratulate you on your fabulous journey. I am thrilled to hear your good news.
Gitte, congraulations to you for being such a big help to Joan during this challenging time.
I exalt you both!
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Post by denise on Jun 28, 2008 15:32:36 GMT -5
:)Can I add my words of encouragement to Joan and say well done! I am SO glad I stopped smoking, no more guilt,no more smelling bad, no more spending money I couln't afford, no more being a slave to those little tubes! I also had my LAST cigarette three years ago on th 23rd June, when my grandson was born. I hdd been an on off smoker since I was 17, and like you gave up for long periods,only to be tripped up by thinking I could "get away" with "just one" but of course I never did get away with it and i would be off again smoking. Now I know that it is the first cigarette that does the damage and I feel compleatly different about being a non smoker now. EXCEPT when I go to Paris. Coffee and cigarettes used to be one of the things I (enjoyed) associated with being in Paris. It will be interesting to see how the smoking ban has changed things. It will be nice to sit in a cafe withoout there being smokers around. KEEP GOING JOAN. YOU CAN HAVE AN EXTRA TRIP TO PARIS WITH THE MONEY YOU SAVE!Denise love from England |
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Post by mez on Jun 29, 2008 5:24:56 GMT -5
Congratulations Joan - that is fantastic news! Well done. |
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Post by Penny on Jun 29, 2008 12:45:32 GMT -5
Joan let me add my congratulations. I know it's a hard habit to kick.
I had to give it up several years ago since I was in the middle of a FMS flare-up and the nicotine was reacting with the pain medication.
8-)My problem was I substituted chocolate for cigarettes.
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my 57 year old nephew who has smoked for over 40 years had a heart attack at work about a month ago.
3 days later a quadruple by-pass was done and along with the very clotted ateries the doctors have also determined he has emphysema.
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So keep it up, save the money and you'll have more to spend in Paris.
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Post by joan1 on Jun 29, 2008 21:24:20 GMT -5
Thanks all.
Penny, that is awful about your nephew, I hope he has been able to quit, but ,, I must tell you that even my mothers death( not directly becuase of smoking, but definately indirectly) , and my sisters SIL death from lung cancer at 46,, did not make me quit. I swear I would visit the hospital and see my mom on oxegen and I could not get out fast enough for my next smoke. It is such an evil DRUG! Glad I have quit.
Now, there is only one addiction left in my life,, and I have no intention of giving it up!!! ;D
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 30, 2008 6:39:49 GMT -5
Joan, let me add my congratulations as well. What a nice example for your daughter. I'll bet she's proud of Mom too.
HURRAH!! And GOOD FOR YOU!!
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 30, 2008 7:45:25 GMT -5
Congratulations Joan! It's been almost 2 years for me...it continues to get easier. And yes, we all need some kind of vice, but glad you dropped the smoking one! The other is more fun and as I tell myself, GOOD for my health!! ;D
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)
I commend you, Joan, on your outstanding achievement, and I thank you, Gitte, for taking the initiative to make this important announcement. 
hahahha