If this were the old joke, my reply should be “I don’t know, I’ve never looked.” But my reply now is NOT ANYMORE!
If you’ve been following me for more than just a post or 2 you’ll know hubby brought home an horrific cold & flu last Christmas & he & I spent the entire Christmas break sick as dogs. Because I already have respiratory problems, mine turned into pneumonia. You’ll also know up until last Christmas I was a true dyed-in-the-wool smoker & had been smoking for more than 30 years. When my doctor had mentioned I should think about quitting smoking, I told him I’d gladly quit smoking when he had a week to spare to put me into a coma to get over the worst of the withdrawal.
So there I was, so sick I could barely breathe, wrapped up in a comforter, sitting on my balcony in a snow storm trying to smoke a cigarette, but not inhale because it made me cough so hard. For some reason, I got a picture of myself in my head & thought how absolutely ridiculous I looked! So the next time I wanted a smoke, I tried putting it off for a little while instead of giving in to the craving. A few hours became a few days & the next thing I knew I had quit smoking. It hasn’t always been easy but it certainly wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I think the thing that surprised me the most were the dreams – where I was dreaming I was having a cigarette.
It must have been my time to quit because it stuck, although I never knew for sure which day I actually quit on, so I chose a day – December 29th. So here it is a year later & I have not had a cigarette!
Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife
Dec 29, 2012 @ 07:11:58
Congratulations and very well done!
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:09:51
Thank you it was quite an accomplishment!
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Mark Petruska
Dec 29, 2012 @ 10:05:27
Congratulations! I know quitting is hard, though having never taken so much as a puff in my life I don’t think I ever really had an idea just HOW hard. Until I read this, that is. Good job!
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:10:56
The dreams are the worst Mark & I still have them. In my dreams I am taking a puff or 2 off a cigarette while denying I am starting smoking again.
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Elyse
Dec 29, 2012 @ 11:57:40
Congratulations. Well done.
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:11:24
Thank you so much Elyse, it means a lot to me
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writerwannabe763
Dec 29, 2012 @ 11:58:37
Congratulations on your ‘non-smoking’ anniversary. My husband smoked for about 45 years but now has quit for 11 years…He tried many times but one day just decided…but he has COPD, and other lung issues…
Soooo way to goooo!….Diane
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:12:25
I also have lung issues unfortunately so some days I wonder if I feel better or not.
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Adam S
Dec 29, 2012 @ 12:16:58
Congrats! Do you feel “detached” from the identity now? I need to quit. Badly.
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:16:51
I think, except for the dreams, I think of myself as a non-smoker now. I rarely get a craving for a smoke during the day – just sometimes in the car where I used to smoke a lot. In my dreams though, I am trying to convince myself I am still a non-smoker although I am taking a puff or 2 off a cigarette. I can highly recommend E-Quits (a website for people trying to quit) if you do decide it’s your time to quit. You can text to people when you are having a craving & they will help you. Good luck to you – are you making this a resolution?
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Adam S
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:23:21
I’m not a fan of resolutions, so no. It’s something that’s long overdue. I can feeling it killing me. Time to stop…
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 13:43:51
It just has to be the exact right time for you if you’re going to do it cold turkey. Have you tried Zyban or any of the other chemical helpers? Hubby used Zyban to help him quit a few years ago while I went cold turkey.
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Margarita
Dec 29, 2012 @ 14:49:16
CONGRATULATIONS! That’s quite an accomplishment! xoxoM
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 17:24:03
Thank you, there were days I wondered if I would make it, but at the same time there were days when it was easier than i thought it would be.
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Enchanted Seashells
Dec 29, 2012 @ 18:15:58
Congraulations, that’s awesome!
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Enchanted Seashells
Dec 29, 2012 @ 18:16:29
i forgot the “t”, but you know what I meant!
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 21:56:09
Thank you very much, I’m slightly proud of myself!
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buckwheatsrisk
Dec 29, 2012 @ 19:58:16
congrats! i quit 17 years ago after smoking for 14. i still have the odd cravings. my Hubby quit 9 years ago and he gets the dreams and still has terrible cravings
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benzeknees
Dec 29, 2012 @ 21:57:45
Very few cravings, just the weird dreams where I am smoking & I’m trying to deny I’m doing it because I’m a “non-smoker” with no intention of starting again. Very weird dreams, very weird!
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buckwheatsrisk
Dec 29, 2012 @ 22:04:11
I believe it! At least smoking in your dreams is not unhealthy! lol
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Edward Hotspur
Dec 30, 2012 @ 18:38:24
OH. My. FUCKING. GOD. This is… I am so proud of you. I quit smoking about 11-12 years ago, myself. Just got the same kind of idea. Didn’t like it, didn’t want to do it, so I stopped. I don’t know what day, or what month even. I just know it’s been a long time, and I don’t even want one. Ever. It’s awesome to quit smoking. Of course, it’s better not to start.
That is awesome. I’m happy for you! Say hello to breathing, tasting and smelling food, all that. Incredible.
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benzeknees
Dec 30, 2012 @ 20:24:37
Thanks Hotspur – I thought you would bug me more about the old joke I used as a title. I’m glad you quit too – unfortunately I’m enjoying the taste of food too much!
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El Guapo
Dec 31, 2012 @ 10:26:40
Congratulations, Benze!
I’m still at a pack a day myself.
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benzeknees
Dec 31, 2012 @ 14:48:27
So Guapster, do you smoke after sex? Or should I ask TMWGITU? If you are meant to quit, your day will come when you wonder why you are spending all this money to ruin your health. I know it may not feel like it now, but I have faith in you!
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Sightsnbytes
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:14:42
Congratulations, your body is probably thanking you! Keep away from the stuff. I have been 49 years tobacco free (well that’s cause I never started)
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benzeknees
Jan 02, 2013 @ 20:26:00
Both my parent smoked (quit about 15 years ago) & I smoked for a long time, but my younger sister never smoked. I don’t understand how it affects one sibling & not the other. I’m glad you never smoked, you’re much wiser than I was!
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omawarisan
Jan 03, 2013 @ 12:38:17
Proud of you! I’ve never been in the position to have to stop, but have people who’ve told me how tough it is….stay strong.
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benzeknees
Jan 03, 2013 @ 20:59:34
Thank you & I’m glad you never had to go through it yourself!
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John Erickson
Jan 03, 2013 @ 16:37:15
I could say something about not smoking after sex if you use the right lube, but instead I’ll just say “Congratulations!” And let you wonder how I know about that first line. 😉
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benzeknees
Jan 03, 2013 @ 20:59:06
Very clever! You were the only one to pick up on the joke & comment on it instead of just congratulating me on quitting smoking! I guess my attempt at humor was too obscure!
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