Quitting smoking can be easy with the right mindset !

Hi Andy,

That's nice to hear! I am sure you will keep to no smoking, in many ways I was like you, but much worse.

I started when I was about 13 or 14 years old... And, like you tried many ways of quitting but I lacked the will power I think. The longest I did pack it in for was 1 week, years ago, but I was offered one and that started me off again.

The next part is what many people think I was crazy. I lost my father to Colon Cancer he also smoked and gave it up about 14 years before he died. The week of his funeral I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, that hit me for six, since it was less than a week before my dad died. I was booked in to hospital had the testical removed, and on the same day at night I sneaked out the front of the hospital for a smoke. Not even thinking what I had done, a girl (well, a lot younger than me asked for a light, I said sure here ya go!) anyway we were talking, then she asked what I was having done, I said "Well, I have had it done earlier, but it was Testicular Cancer!" - She was shocked that I was still smoking even. This month I come out of remission, Testicular Cancer carries a 7 year remission period.

I was smoking around 30-40 a day like yourself, a doctor came up to me just before I left hospital to come home, and and said you really should kick that habit, I said to him I know.

A few years passed and on one Saturday afternoon I had the most awful stabbing pains coming from my stomach.... I was rush in by Ambulance, operated on the same night, in the process I had to sign the consent form before the operation. After the operation I asked what it was, the surgeon said well if it had gone any further you would have died!!! Basically, part of my intestines died inside me, so I was dying from the inside out. 50cm of my intestines was removed on the Tuesday, gawd it was so painful... by Thursday, I should have been improving but I didn't - I couldn't even keep down my own medication. Then I started throwing up Bile, I mean this was like a scene of the exorcist, I was down to surgery very quickly, I could not even sign the consent form at all. I was put to sleep and opened back up, what had happened was I part of my intestine had touched another part of me, and that had passed the gangrene back to the intestine.. More of my intestine was removed and part of the gland that had also started to turn gangrene. I spent nearly a month in hospital, stuck in a bed on high dosages of painkillers. The full recovery period was over 10 months, but when I came out of hospital I threw all cigarettes and ash trays in the bin. I had no intention of ever smoking again, because there was a chance that it could return if I didn't stop.

That Andy, was how I packed it in.... I wasn't even asked! Spending nearly a month in a depressing hospital was enough for me. I'm 51 now... and still going!

I have now not smoked for nearly 3 and half years and I feel better for it.

Regards,

Les.

Tomorrow will be day 19 and before you know it, you will be counting the months. Youll probably cough and splutter for weeks, clearing your lungs. Keep telling yourself that you are a non smoker. Seriously well done, you are now where you probably many times dreamed of being. Avoid temptation. Enjoy fresh breath, hair and clothes. Be kind to yourself. X

Well done andy. The positive thoughts will see you through, welcome to being a non smoker.