Re: quiting smoking

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In a message dated 11/22/01 3:41:35 PM Eastern Standard Time,

duodenalswitch writes:

<< did have a question, though... how are you handling

not smoking? I saw Dr Jossart yesterday and he gave

me a hard time about it. I told him I would quit the

day I got insurance approval and he didn't think I'd

be able to do it. I'll show him, LOL! Seriously, I

do have faith in him as a doctor and I want him as my

surgeon. Plus he's a cutie! But I'm scared - I've

never tried to quit!

Please let me know how you're doing. Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving,

dee >>

Well, Dee - I have managed not to have a cigarette since Oct. 1st - almost 2

months. It hasn't really been that hard, except for one day about a week

after I quit. The key for me has been using the patch AND having the

nicotine gum to chew for those times when the patch just wasn't giving me

enough umph, since I had smoked 1 1/2 - 2 pks a day for years, and had

started smoking over 25 yrs ago. I thought I was doing a " no no " using the

gum, too, but when I went on that quit smoking site, the counsellor there

said if you were used to smoking *a lot*, you might need to supplement the

patch with the gum. I was on patch #1 for 6 weeks (per instructions), now I

am on patch #2 (this will be for 2 weeks) and then I will go on patch #3 for

2 weeks. Patch #1 has 21 mg nicotine, patch #2 has 14. I must admit this

changing to patch number 2 did cause me some days when I wished I could just

have a cigarette, so maybe that happens each time you step down. It just

makes me realize how very addictive smoking is. I have decided if I need to

do the patch and gum the rest of my life, so be it!!! :-) I am just

wondering if I can wear my patch into surgery? (laughing). What do I do if I

want gum after my stomach is cut apart?

Can my stomach take it? (smiling). Well, I am glad I won't have to try to

sneak out for a cig outside in Dec. with my hospital gown on when I am in

after surgery!

It hasn't been all that terrible, but I must admit, I am still getting

nicotine. I do not know how someone could quit cold turkey.

The looming surgery has helped me stay focused to not go back and smoke now.

But also the fact that a very good friend of mine (male - that I like being

around a lot!!) and my family *hate* my smoking, so I remind myself of that

each time I feel like I want one.

Things I have noticed that make me glad I don't smoke now.....not having to

worry about finding a job where I can have a place to run out for a cigarette

or get enough breaks to have one when I need one......not having to clean up

ashtrays......not having to worry about having enough cigs in the house (tho

I do that with the gum LOL). So, there are some things that my not smoking

has made easier.

Dee, I *know* you can do it.......if I can, you can!!! Carole