Smoking

[Guest guest]

Jude.

Congratulations on not smoking for a month. Your body is now " cleaned out " of

the nicotine, which means that there are no more physiological cravings. Any

craving is due to psychological reasons, like being in a situation where you

used to smoke, or looking for something to do with your hands or mouth.

Substitute behaviors, like playing with a straw, may be very helpful.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm really glad to say that there seems to be little or no cravings for a

ciggy! I'm amazed with myself - LOL, it's a lot easier than I thought it

would be - I just used to look at my photo of little Lucia and go have an

icypole! But now, I feel as if I've achieved something good!!

Things seem to be going quite good - went off nicotine last month, weaned

off prednisilone this month - ha ha - I'm having fun getting rid of these

drugs!!!!!! Next month I'm weaning off fat!!!!!!! My second son has just

become engaged after LIS for the past ten years and they are to be married

(woooooooooooooooooooooopeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) hopefully in November so I must

take off at least 30 kilos in 8 months. That will be my next big feat.

Love and hugs,

Jude.

Re: rheumaticsmoking

> From: RTC@...

>

> Jude.

> Congratulations on not smoking for a month. Your body is now " cleaned out "

of

> the nicotine, which means that there are no more physiological cravings.

Any

> craving is due to psychological reasons, like being in a situation where

you

> used to smoke, or looking for something to do with your hands or mouth.

> Substitute behaviors, like playing with a straw, may be very helpful.

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Dear Joan:

This is a bad time of year for having a sweet tooth! The Halloween candy is

everywhere! I just love those Brach's little orange pumpkins and have to buy

a bag every year!

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Kathy (AIH)

Seattle area

[Guest guest]

ditto,,

GINGER

[Guest guest]

Gayle,

I know all that and more! And, it doesn't move me a bit. Life's a

crapshoot at best, and some of us tread carefully, others are more like me -

we make some potentially dangerous decisions, but we do it with full

knowledge of the risks. To tell the truth, if no one ever told me about how

dangerous smoking is or lectured me on passive smoke, etc., I might have

stopped years ago. The one concession I make is that I never blow smoke

into the face of a non-smoker and I don't try to smoke in no-smoking areas.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

I torture myself every year at this time. I smoke in the spring and

summer and quit in the fall and winter. I think once the weight gain

starts and I become use to the fact I can get along with smoking I start

all over again. I have stopped with both of my pregnancies and started

as soon as I arrived home.

I have chosen to use the patch to help me along. After a day like today

I am tempted to rip this patch off, roll it up and smoke it.

Desperation!!!

My sweet tooth is at full tilt. So any and all recipes will be tried and

enjoyed to their fullest. Please keep 'em coming.

If it's a problem to send recipes through the list, my email at home is

mclaffey@...

You could give me the title of Test Kitchen at LiverSupport.

I'm more than happy to lend my services and waistline.

On days like today it's really a blessing to have a group like this.

Joan Claffey

Geri Spang wrote:

>

>

> Gayle,

> I know all that and more! And, it doesn't move me a bit. Life's a

> crapshoot at best, and some of us tread carefully, others are more like me -

> we make some potentially dangerous decisions, but we do it with full

> knowledge of the risks. To tell the truth, if no one ever told me about how

> dangerous smoking is or lectured me on passive smoke, etc., I might have

> stopped years ago. The one concession I make is that I never blow smoke

> into the face of a non-smoker and I don't try to smoke in no-smoking areas.

> Take care,

> Geri

>

>

[Guest guest]

"To tell the truth, if no one ever told me about howdangerous smoking is or lectured me on passive smoke, etc., I might havestopped years ago."

Now, Geri, I believe that you don't want to stop, or can't stop, but I don't believe, for one second, that you continue to smoke because people tell you not to.... Don't try to pass the blame!! <grin>

Don

Terradon Unlimited

www.TerradonUnlimited.com

"People who ask me how we can still have such a positive attitude after all we’ve been through, have it all wrong…We’ve been able to get through all that we have BECAUSE we have a positive attitude". Don Hanson 8/2000

[Guest guest]

Don,

If you knew me in "real" life you'd know how resistant I've always been to social pressure. I turned down a date with the captain of the football team when I was in high school because a school "sorority" I belonged to in Seattle told me that I was honored to be his date. In fact, I started smoking because I was told it wasn't "ladylike" and the more pressure I had to quit, the more I knew I'd do it if and when it was my idea and no one else's. I would NEVER quit under social pressure. If and when I see proven negative medical effects, I might consider it - and I might not. So far, they haven't been able to show me where it's hurting me, and Bob and I both smoke, so we're not putting "passive" smoke on anyone who is worried about it. Bob's even more militant than I am about not quitting.

The thing is, in the overall picture, it's such a small issue, or should be. I feel that people who are opposed to smoking definitely should not smoke, allow smoking in their homes, sit in areas where there are smokers or let themselves be exposed to smoking as much as possible. That's their personal choice, and almost always they have strong convictions about it. But, I also feel that no one should worry about what I do in the privacy of my own home, with my life, with my body, or in my personal life away from home. I honor other people's right to do what they wish with their lives and bodies without condemnation or judgment as long as they don't cause substantial harm to others, and I expect the same respect. And, by substantial harm, I mean as long as they don't carry a gun and shoot up the neighborhood, try to run me and others off the road, drive while drunk or stoned or molest and rape while under the influence of mind altering substances.

I guess what I'm saying is that if I ever feel like I want to quit, I will. But it won't be because anyone tells me that I should or that I'm some kind of second class citizen because I smoke. My grandfather died at age 86. He smoked all of his life, and he only had one lung from 1946 until he died in 1976. He lost a lung due to a reaction from "horse serum". He coughed like crazy, but his death wasn't caused by smoking - I think he died because he'd lived as long as he wanted to. My grandmother also died at age 86 and she never smoked, but most of her 13 children and their spouses and children did, and they all gathered frequently in my grandparent's home. She had asthma when she was young, but when she moved to Oregon in 1942, the asthma went away for unknown reasons, so though her exposure to passive smoke increased, her reaction to it decreased. She died from the effects of a kidney condition and from a weak heart. On the other hand, all five of her sons died from cancer, but none of them from lung cancer. And, three of her daughters died in their late 70's from non-smoking related causes. Two of them smoked and the one who died earliest never did.

From all of this, I don't conclude that smoking is "safe". But, doctors have told me that some people are not, for reasons they don't understand, affected by smoking. They've hinted (and I've also read) that there could be a genetic reason for this. I've smoked since I was 15 and I've never even had a "cigarette cough" though I think I'm probably a heavy smoker. And, I do inhale. I wish my kids didn't smoke and I applaud my grandchildren who don't. The only one of my brothers who didn't smoke died at age 45 from exposure to a psychotic mental patient who was looking for someone to kill. Now, here's a real hypocrisy - I don't allow young people (my grandchildren or nephews or their friends) to smoke in our house. Why? Because they're careless and I also don't want my house filled with smoke.

Anyhow, this is an issue that can't be resolved through debate because many non-smokers are as militant about advocating abstention as I am about advocating that it ain't nobody's business but my own. Two of our closest friends, incidentally, who we've known since we were very young, have never smoked or drank. They're Mormon. Last time we saw them in Oregon they asked us out to dinner and we offered to be seated in the non-smoking section out of respect for them. Jim got very excited and gave one of the best speeches about tolerance I've ever heard. They both insisted that we sit in the smoking section and later, also insisted that we smoke in their home instead of standing outside in the rain. On the other hand, if a non-smoker hints to us that smoking bothers them while they're visiting us, we'll usually offer to refrain while they're here. So far, no one has taken us up on our offer.

We've had this discussion before, and I know you feel strongly about smoking. So do I. I can only conclude that those who are opposed to smoking should not smoke nor should they go anyplace where people are smoking, just as we generally don't go anyplace where smoking isn't allowed (unless we have no choice). Maybe someday they'll make it illegal. Then I'll probably quit. But, as you can tell, lectures on the subject from anyone, even people I love (and it's happened!) cause my hackles to rise.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Dear Geri:

Please don't be offended by this, but it's something that I've always

wondered about the smoking issue. All of us are worried about the things

that we need to do to try to be as healthy as we can so that we can qualify

for transplant if the need arises. In my case it's the weight issue and

prednisone issues. I'm probably further away from transplant than you are in

that my condition was not as severe before treatment began, yet I'm

constantly battling to lose the weight that the doctor requires for me to be

eligible. But eating is something that no one can escape, whereas smoking is

a voluntary thing. I don't understand why you'd worry about the negative

effects of any of the medications that you take, but not the negative effects

of the smoking which is far more likely to cause cancer then Imuran. I don't

understand why you'd jeopardize your possibility of getting a transplant by

continuing to smoke when the doctors have told you that you could

'de-compensate' at any time. It's just astounding to me that any doctor

would tell you that smoking hasn't effected you or Bob. What about his lung

cancer and his stroke? What about the fact that you have stage 4 cirrhosis

and now pernicious anemia. Although our conditions are auto immune, the

triggers can be any number of things including combinations of things. Why

isn't it feasible to assume that it's possible that smoking could have played

a part? It's even possible that the smoking and the meds you're taking don't

mix, too. You've said that you've smoked since you were 15, but also you've

said that your doctors think you've had these autoimmune problems for at

least 20 years and possibly longer. Every thing that we do and have done in

our lives effects our bodies.

Anyway, I honestly don't mean to hurt your feelings by asking these

questions, just trying to understand your stance.

I don't personally smoke, but tried it as a youngster. My Dad smoked for 30

years before he quit and has now been a non smoker for 20. He even briefly

sold a tape on how he quit smoking. His wife continues to smoke and is just

as adamantly opposed to considering quitting as you and trying to talk to her

about it makes little difference, too. I'm not one of those people that gets

upset when people smoke, although I don't allow it in my house and don't care

for it in restaurants.

Anyway, these are just some thoughts that I've had as I read your post about

smoking and the posts that you've written in the past about it. I hope you

don't mind my asking you about it.

Take care!

Kathy (AIH)

Seattle area

[Guest guest]

Geri,

Have you or Bob tried those nicotine patches or gum? They are supposed to

stop the craving for a cigarette and the nervousness.

Shireen

>From: " Geri Spang " <spangbg@...>

>Reply- egroups

>< egroups>

>Subject: Re: [ ] Joan - Bread Pudding

>Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2000 14:02:28 -0700

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>Joan,

>I know what you mean about how some days everything seems to go wrong. Too

>bad we can't just go back to bed and skip the rest of a bad day, then start

>all over tomorrow.

>

>I love to try new, interesting recipes, especially when they're for dishes

>that I enjoy. I've always had a big family to cook for, with six kids and

>a

>zillion relatives. It's easier for me to cook for 8 to 12 people than it

>is

>for two. I hate seeing food go to waste, and Bob and I never eat leftovers

>because we rarely snack. I do especially well with cakes and pies - I

>don't

>use mixes. But, we don't finish a small pie before it's gone stale, so I

>don't do much baking anymore. I have a recipe for blueberry cobbler that

>probably has 100,000 calories in it, but it's delicious. So, if you're

>ever

>in the mood for a new recipe, just tell me what you're looking for and I

>probably have it. I subscribe to 5 or 6 food magazines (Gourmet, Food and

>Wine, Saveur, etc.) and cut out the recipes that sound appealing. If they

>don't turn out like they sound, I toss 'em. Our newest favorite is

>Southern style chickenfried steak with cream gravy. We had it for dinner

>last night. This is definitely NOT diet food!

>

>A few years ago Bob quit smoking for over a month (a record) and he was so

>edgy and hard to get along with I told him to start again or move out! I

>know it's a " cop-out " to say that I'm too nervous to quit, but even the

>thought of not smoking makes me jumpy. I enjoy smoking and I have no

>desire

>to quit. I realize all of the health risks but " life is fraught with

>hazard " . Still, I encourage others to quit if they're motivated to do it,

>and I hate seeing kids start smoking. Since no one lives with us, we don't

>worry about " passive smoke " and anyone who visits us knows that if they

>spend time in our house, smoking comes with the package. No one's turned

>down an invitation yet! Maybe the menus outweigh the smoking? People love

>to have dinner with us because we feed well.

>

>I don't know how you and others with children get by, trying to maintain a

>home and family while dealing with fatigue and the other physical issues

>that liver disease puts on our plate. I can't imagine having to care for a

>family, feeling like I do now most of the time. I guess all you can do is

>hang in there and do the best you can and not beat yourself up if you don't

>meet your own expectations.

>

>Hope the rest of today is good to you.

>

>Take care,

>Geri

>

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[Guest guest]

Shireen,

I've got a couple of boxes of the patches. They are really expensive! I've

never tried the gum but I hear it's expensive too. However, some people use

the gum when they're going to fly because of the airline's smoking

restrictions and they say it works for a few hours. I haven't tried the

patches because I could see that it would cost me $100.00 just to find out

if they even work. I think you have to want to quit before anything like

that does any good and I don't really want to quit. If I ever change my

mind, I'll be trying patches or gum or hypnosis or anything I can get my

hands on!

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I'm not offended by you expressing a sincere opinion, because I understand

that you don't mean it in any way except for the best.

I've smoked since I was 15 and I'm 65 years old. In 50 years, smoking

hasn't had a single known effect on my health. Remember, I didn't even have

osteoporosis but instead had above average bone density before I started

taking Prednisone. If I'd developed respiratory problems, had chronic sore

throats or coughs, I probably would have stopped. Smoking is supposed to

" age " people and I even get constant compliments on the fact that my skin

hasn't aged despite my years. Not that I'm so naive that I don't realize

that I could be harboring some dread tumor buried deep in a lung. I've

always known that lung cancer is a possibility. Or at least, I've known it

as long as the rest of the world has known. Maybe longer, because when I

was a kid I used to listen to people talk about getting very sick from

smoking - back when almost everyone smoked.

Bob has never claimed smoking has done him no harm. He doesn't even believe

it isn't hurting him now. During the past 10 years we have watched so many

people die from so many things and except for his Mom, the only one who died

from lung cancer or anything anyone suspected was caused by smoking was his

mother. He knows the risks, but I should comment, his lung cancer was

caused by asbestos exposure when he worked in a shipyard during his late

teens. Apparently, the type of lung cancer caused by asbestos is different

from the type caused by smoking. And, the tumor was removed completely in

1996, he continued to smoke, and he didn't have to have radiation or chemo.

He has frequent chest x-rays (which in themselves can cause cancer, by the

way) and gets a 100% all-clear. His respiratory function tests are above

average for a man his age and he breezes through exercise stress tests -

just had one a few weeks ago. But, that's not why he chooses to smoke. He

smokes because he likes to and because he believes that whatever will be,

will be. He used to love to play tennis, was a strong swimmer, a bold (and

foolhardy) and excellent diver, an adventuresome person who enjoyed life to

it's fullest. His heart attack was caused by a clot the size of the tip of

a pen, not by cholesterol or trigylcerides. Not smoking wouldn't have

prevented it from happening. His back was injured when he helped a cousin

move a refrigerator - the cousin dropped his end and Bob ended up with

multiple ruptured disks. They still aren't certain he had a stroke. They

suspect that what happened is more apt to have been a result of some of the

meds he's taking - to prevent a stroke. There is no physical sign in his

tests, including the brain scan, that he actually had a stroke and there are

no aftereffects if that's what happened.

..

If I have to have a transplant, I'll have to quit smoking - according to

Scripps. Cedars-Sinai, however, does not put the same restrictions on

candidates. They know I smoke and they said they'll worry about that if the

issue becomes important. They didn't tell me that I had to quit. However,

I know that smoking can restrict blood flow, and I would quit if it was a

matter of transplant or no transplant. My current doctors all know I smoke.

Two of them have scolded me about it but haven't insisted I must quit. The

Neurologist said that she'll address that issue if she sees that it's a

problem for me. Right now, she believes that my problems have nothing to do

with smoking and I have enough to worry about without the added stress of

trying to quit.

I worry about the negative effects of the medications I take because the

medications are doing clear and immediate damage to my body. ly, I

don't worry about the possibility of cancer caused by Imuran any more than I

do about cancer caused by smoking. On the other hand, Prednisone has almost

destroyed my ability to get around without pain meds. Smoking didn't cause

my autoimmunity, but autoimmunity has nearly destroyed my liver and now

appears to be causing neurological problems - due to B12 deficiency, which

has nothing to do with smoking. It would be a real stretch to suspect

smoking being a cause for my autoimmunity, considering the fact that so many

children and non-smokers have autoimmune diseases. As you know, it's a

condition prevalent in women, who have, until recent years, been a minority

when it comes to smoking. I've heard a lot of things blamed on smoking, but

so far no one has even hinted that smoking could be the autoimmunity

culprit.

ly, I can't live my life in fear of " maybe " and " what if " . I probably

should exercise more, be more attentive to the kinds of food I eat, get more

rest, avoid stress (I take it on much too willingly) and I could live my

life in an entirely different manner. But if I did, I wouldn't be who I am,

I'd be a person that other people might want me to be. I'm a very fervent

advocate in personal freedoms, even to make major mistakes. I don't care

what anyone else eats, smokes, does in the privacy of their bedroom, reads,

writes, believes or says as long as they don't force it on me. And, though

I also will express my opinions and offer my suggestions to people, I don't

expect anyone to listen to me. Why should they? As an example, I happen to

be opposed to the concept of abortion - for me. I could never have had an

abortion and the concept appalls me. However, I would fight for any woman's

right to make that decision for herself, and I make no judgement of people

who have made that decision. Not even a small judgment. I don't drink and

never did drink enough for anyone to remember that I used to now and then,

yet it's not my place in life to tell others that they are killing

themselves by drinking too much, if that applies. It's their problem and

their decision, not mine. I'm not religious, but I don't ridicule those who

even go so far as to push their religious beliefs on me. They believe what

they believe, and who am I to say they're right or wrong? Maybe this is all

a result of how I was raised or maybe I've evolved this way. I don't know.

When my Mom was sick and near destitute she wouldn't apply for assistance

because she felt that the questions she would have to answer were an

invasion of her privacy - even though she had nothing to hide. I suppose I

was raised in an atmosphere of fierce belief in personal freedoms. I may

slip once in awhile and judge others, but if I do, then I deserve to be

called a hypocrite, because that's what I would be!

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

to all:

if ever in miami.........let me know....will be happy to meet with you.

[Guest guest]

Geri,

I was teasing you!! But...you smoke because you want to, not because someone tells you not to...that would be ridiculous!! <ggg>

Don

Terradon Unlimited

www.TerradonUnlimited.com

"People who ask me how we can still have such a positive attitude after all we’ve been through, have it all wrong…We’ve been able to get through all that we have BECAUSE we have a positive attitude". Don Hanson 8/2000

-----Original Message-----From: Geri Spang [mailto:spangbg@...]Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2000 8:32 PM egroupsSubject: Re: [ ] smoking

Don,

If you knew me in "real" life you'd know how resistant I've always been to social pressure. I turned down a date with the captain of the football team when I was in high school because a school "sorority" I belonged to in Seattle told me that I was honored to be his date. In fact, I started smoking because I was told it wasn't "ladylike" and the more pressure I had to quit, the more I knew I'd do it if and when it was my idea and no one else's. I would NEVER quit under social pressure. If and when I see proven negative medical effects, I might consider it - and I might not. So far, they haven't been able to show me where it's hurting me, and Bob and I both smoke, so we're not putting "passive" smoke on anyone who is worried about it. Bob's even more militant than I am about not quitting.

The thing is, in the overall picture, it's such a small issue, or should be. I feel that people who are opposed to smoking definitely should not smoke, allow smoking in their homes, sit in areas where there are smokers or let themselves be exposed to smoking as much as possible. That's their personal choice, and almost always they have strong convictions about it. But, I also feel that no one should worry about what I do in the privacy of my own home, with my life, with my body, or in my personal life away from home. I honor other people's right to do what they wish with their lives and bodies without condemnation or judgment as long as they don't cause substantial harm to others, and I expect the same respect. And, by substantial harm, I mean as long as they don't carry a gun and shoot up the neighborhood, try to run me and others off the road, drive while drunk or stoned or molest and rape while under the influence of mind altering substances.

I guess what I'm saying is that if I ever feel like I want to quit, I will. But it won't be because anyone tells me that I should or that I'm some kind of second class citizen because I smoke. My grandfather died at age 86. He smoked all of his life, and he only had one lung from 1946 until he died in 1976. He lost a lung due to a reaction from "horse serum". He coughed like crazy, but his death wasn't caused by smoking - I think he died because he'd lived as long as he wanted to. My grandmother also died at age 86 and she never smoked, but most of her 13 children and their spouses and children did, and they all gathered frequently in my grandparent's home. She had asthma when she was young, but when she moved to Oregon in 1942, the asthma went away for unknown reasons, so though her exposure to passive smoke increased, her reaction to it decreased. She died from the effects of a kidney condition and from a weak heart. On the other hand, all five of her sons died from cancer, but none of them from lung cancer. And, three of her daughters died in their late 70's from non-smoking related causes. Two of them smoked and the one who died earliest never did.

From all of this, I don't conclude that smoking is "safe". But, doctors have told me that some people are not, for reasons they don't understand, affected by smoking. They've hinted (and I've also read) that there could be a genetic reason for this. I've smoked since I was 15 and I've never even had a "cigarette cough" though I think I'm probably a heavy smoker. And, I do inhale. I wish my kids didn't smoke and I applaud my grandchildren who don't. The only one of my brothers who didn't smoke died at age 45 from exposure to a psychotic mental patient who was looking for someone to kill. Now, here's a real hypocrisy - I don't allow young people (my grandchildren or nephews or their friends) to smoke in our house. Why? Because they're careless and I also don't want my house filled with smoke.

Anyhow, this is an issue that can't be resolved through debate because many non-smokers are as militant about advocating abstention as I am about advocating that it ain't nobody's business but my own. Two of our closest friends, incidentally, who we've known since we were very young, have never smoked or drank. They're Mormon. Last time we saw them in Oregon they asked us out to dinner and we offered to be seated in the non-smoking section out of respect for them. Jim got very excited and gave one of the best speeches about tolerance I've ever heard. They both insisted that we sit in the smoking section and later, also insisted that we smoke in their home instead of standing outside in the rain. On the other hand, if a non-smoker hints to us that smoking bothers them while they're visiting us, we'll usually offer to refrain while they're here. So far, no one has taken us up on our offer.

We've had this discussion before, and I know you feel strongly about smoking. So do I. I can only conclude that those who are opposed to smoking should not smoke nor should they go anyplace where people are smoking, just as we generally don't go anyplace where smoking isn't allowed (unless we have no choice). Maybe someday they'll make it illegal. Then I'll probably quit. But, as you can tell, lectures on the subject from anyone, even people I love (and it's happened!) cause my hackles to rise.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Don,

<< I was teasing you!! But...you smoke because you want to, not because someone tells you not to...that would be ridiculous!! <ggg> >>

I don't deny it! Though when I was 15 I think that I might have smoked because I was told that I couldn't.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Ahhh....that makes sense!!

Don

Terradon Unlimited

www.TerradonUnlimited.com

"People who ask me how we can still have such a positive attitude after all we’ve been through, have it all wrong…We’ve been able to get through all that we have BECAUSE we have a positive attitude". Don Hanson 8/2000

I don't deny it! Though when I was 15 I think that I might have smoked because I was told that I couldn't.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Geri,

I can understand you not wanting to quit. I smoked for 10 years and liked

it. But now I am reaping the results. I have emphysema and bronchitis.

The irony is that I never smoked at home and my mom never smoked, but she

died of lung cancer.

Incidently, I had an MRI looking for cancer in my back. HOORAY, NO CANCER!

I have misalignments at several levels. What ever that is.

Shireen

>From: " Geri Spang " <spangbg@...>

>Reply- egroups

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>Subject: Re: [ ] smoking

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>Shireen,

>I've got a couple of boxes of the patches. They are really expensive!

>I've

>never tried the gum but I hear it's expensive too. However, some people

>use

>the gum when they're going to fly because of the airline's smoking

>restrictions and they say it works for a few hours. I haven't tried the

>patches because I could see that it would cost me $100.00 just to find out

>if they even work. I think you have to want to quit before anything like

>that does any good and I don't really want to quit. If I ever change my

>mind, I'll be trying patches or gum or hypnosis or anything I can get my

>hands on!

>Take care,

>Geri

>

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[Guest guest]

Kathy,

You don't know how bad a time it is for me. I LOVE Halloween candy. Both

my girls Birthday's are in Oct. so we have school parties and each has

their own party. I must bake 200 cupcakes and dozens of cookies. We

send sweets to dance class and gymnastics and since company is always

around I find the time too keep goodies on hand. Then Comes the

holidays, it's one big party. I am very worried about my weight for all

different reasons. My normal weight is 115 since the steroid use I

have kept 10 extra lbs. on and adding more to that from not smoking is

very hard for me.

Have a good day from one candy lover to another.

Joan Claffey

KATBERCOO@... wrote:

>

>

> Dear Joan:

>

> This is a bad time of year for having a sweet tooth! The Halloween candy is

> everywhere! I just love those Brach's little orange pumpkins and have to buy

> a bag every year!

>

> Hope everyone is having a good day!

>

> Kathy (AIH)

> Seattle area

>

>

[Guest guest]

I can so relate to what you are going through with trying to quit smoking.

Everybody has a different way of doing it. What works for one may not work

for another.

What finally helped me was the support of a group of friends who quit at the

same time I did. We went to a four week class put on by the American Lung

Association. One of the things they did was pass out coffee stirrers. They

had us try to take a breath through that straw with it's small openings, and

then said that is what it is like to have emphasema. That was my triger.

Take care of yourself

Love,

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I did quit. Doesn't mean I still wouldn't want one because I do. Sometimes my

mouth waters looking at an ashtray now that is sick. I quit in June 1999 when

I had my transplant. I became so sick I couldn't even leave my bed let alone

my room to find a place to smoke. With the nurses encouraging me, and family

I did not even want to try to smoke again. I knew my lungs were fried then. I

kept having collapsed lungs in the hospital during my transplant. I feel for

the poor souls in this group that are facing the challenge of quitting.

Actually the way I had to quit was the easy way. But I had horrible reactions

and every thing the docs did to me caused me to go into major asthma attacks

with the threat of putting back on the ventilator. And with the type of

asthma I have once being on a ventilator, leads to many more ventilator days.

gayle/trans.6-99

galye@... ^OO^

[Guest guest]

Gayle,

Glad you succeeded in quitting and though I've never experienced the

ventilator, I would rather die than go on it. My Dad was on it his

final two months at a hospital that specializes in ventilator

patients. It still gives me nightmares. My only hesitancy in being

an organ donor (not that any of my organs may be worth transplanting)

is that I don't want my body living on a ventilator. But then that

only happens when you're brain dead and unable to feel anyway...

Patty O'

> Patty,

> I did quit. Doesn't mean I still wouldn't want one because I do.

Sometimes my

> mouth waters looking at an ashtray now that is sick. I quit in June

1999 when

> I had my transplant. I became so sick I couldn't even leave my bed

let alone

> my room to find a place to smoke. With the nurses encouraging me,

and family

> I did not even want to try to smoke again. I knew my lungs were

fried then. I

> kept having collapsed lungs in the hospital during my transplant. I

feel for

> the poor souls in this group that are facing the challenge of

quitting.

> Actually the way I had to quit was the easy way. But I had horrible

reactions

> and every thing the docs did to me caused me to go into major

asthma attacks

> with the threat of putting back on the ventilator. And with the

type of

> asthma I have once being on a ventilator, leads to many more

ventilator days.

>

> gayle/trans.6-99

> galye@a... ^OO^

[Guest guest]

I haven't had a smoke in 12 days. Sure is tough but I can do this. I will

just keep telling myself over and over. LOL Hope everyone is doing well.

God bless, Genny/Jodi's Mom/FL

[Guest guest]

Well congradulations to you " Mom " , it must be hard.

Thats my next quest. How did you do it?

Kay

[Guest guest]

Genny,

I know just how you feel.....It has been months since I stopped smoking

and it is still hard. My mother stopped after New Years and if I may be

blunt....she is a Bitch on Wheels....we had two arguements just

yesterday. Talk about being on edge. Patients is the key, the craving

does pass and it does get easier. Keep up the good work - you can do

it. If you need to vent I'm always here.

Joan Claffey

NJ

Babycolt98102690@... wrote:

>

> I haven't had a smoke in 12 days. Sure is tough but I can do this. I will

> just keep telling myself over and over. LOL Hope everyone is doing well.

> God bless, Genny/Jodi's Mom/FL

>

>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Genny!! Keep us the good work.. I use to smoke.. But gave

it up going on 14 years.. It was so hard.. But the benefits are great.. You

will be glad that you did..

God Bless,

Deb