Oh, Jesus...

Who's idea was it for BOTH of you to quit smoking at the same time??? That's really living dangerously, Rosemary.

Best of luck to you, though.

I actually think if Dean isn't smelling my smoke it might be easier on him. He is almost two weeks clean.

And I have a sadistic sense of humor...

Ahem, remember my last suggestion for dealing with the oral fixation. :)

If you think your sense of humor is "sadistic" now, wait until this time tomorrow.

I'm quoting this off the top of my head, so don't fact-check my smoke-free butt (no pun intended), butt (pun intended) I think that:

1. Some 150,000 Americans a year die of lung cancer that is directly linked to smoking.

2. Lung cancer has a mortality rate of like 90%, and if you do survive, it will likely be with one less lung.

3. The only thing worse for your health, than smoking is using illegal intravenous drugs.

4. If if you don't get lung cancer, chances are you will suffer from emphysema or Chronic Obstructive Pulminorary Disease in your old age. Imagine not being able to walk across the room, w/o being out of breath, and having to breath pure oxygen from a bottle a good part of the day just in order to say alive.

I quit cold turkey, too. Strictly boiled ham for me now.

I quit after smoking for over 30 years, and have been quit for over 11 years. Let me suggest.

Don't wait for the pack to be finished. Just do it.

Use the PATCH.

Most people start with the 21mg for 2 weeks, the 14mg for 2 weeks, and the 7mg for 2 weeks. Then nothing.

It reduces your body's nicotine demand to a low level (7mg) over a 6 week period while you get used to not having something to do with your hands.

Break up old combinations.

If you have coffee and a cigarette, try tea (or coke) and nothing else.

If you light up while on the phone, try reducing your calling, stand up etc., for about a week.

If you like to drink and smoke, don't drink for two weeks.

BTW You will discover that you can have two or three more drinks, and not have a hang over. (That hang over you are used to is from the cigarettes and the booze.)

As best possible, stay away from people that smoke.

Good luck! You have no idea how good you are going to feel!

Sam:
Yep, I sure do. Do you know why a bride smiles on her wedding day?

Lonestar:

I have asthma. Chances are I'll be toting a O2 tank anyway. I'm quitting so that my son doesn't grow up thinking it's cool - and so I don't make him sick.

Hide the shotgun.

I'm just saying.

P.S. Apparently, surveys show that if Mom and Dad stop smoking before their kids turn 9 years of age, then Buddy and Sis won't smoke when they grow up.

Sleep deprivation will lower inhibitions. I have three sick children. No one is sick at the same time, they take turns sleeping and keeping me awake. That as a disclaimer ... A friend used Pamprin to kill the bitchiness. Yeah, I know. Not polite conversation. And, yet, right this minute I just don't care. Pamprin is a good thing. I don't know whats in it that isn't in the others, but its a temporary mood-altering substance available over-the-counter. Sure, they advertise it for PMS, but it works all the time (even on guys). And I think they advertise it to the wrong people anyway. I gave some to a friend who wanted to kill her children AND the family dog. Fifteen minutes later she was happy and calm. Her husband couldn't believe they'd been married 10 years and he didn't know they had a pill to "fix" that bitchiness. He was SO excited he told all the guests at their dinner party that night! I bet Jake would be that happy if y'al are medicated to some degree over the next few days.

Allison:

Pamprin? I thought it was just fancy aspirin marketed to women for their periods. Or is that Midol?

I will look into it.

Rosemary don't say that...

If you have asthma, all the more reason to quit! The cigarettes will only hasten your demise...

My Mother-in-law has been insulin dependent since she was 11 years old.

She is now 67, and actually in terrible health now, but in great health given her lot in life.

But you know what? She was told she would not live past 45, and would never have children. Instead, I married her Daughter, and have two brother in-laws :)

She is quite an inspiration to me. She has defied all odds, taken great care of herself, and lives every day as if it is her last.

As far as Mother-in-laws go, I could have done a lot worse ;-)

BTW she's a Christian too. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

You'll be sorrrreeeeeeeeee :)

My whole family quit at the same time once (me, my brother, my dad, and my mom) while we were all living in the same house. Strangely, it wasn't that bad. (Everyone but my mom smokes again, though.)

Good luck. The only thing I can say is that if it is important enough to you you'll quit. If it isn't you won't. Find a reason and latch onto it ( I used the California tobacco tax ). There are a lot of techniques and systems. They only work if you make them do so. You can do it and you will if it's important enough to you.
All the best to you.

I haven't read all the comments that pushed Rose over the edge, but I would just like to say:

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you from her little brother who has been trying to get her to quit for YEARS! I'm glad she has finally listened to reason.

Good Luck Rose! I know you can do it..

Jerry

From what you have shared about your life and health on this blog -- plus living with him -- I know you can do it.

Jerome