Are you still smoking?

I have watched my father in law go through radiation for throat cancer that made him unable to eat. He had a feeding tube for years. He has gone through two seperate surgeries each removing a third of each lung for cancer. I had an Aunt who died of lung cancer. She had not smoked in 50 years. I am an ex smoker. I am also an avid nagger to those I love. I will never quit being a thorn in their side. I do not care how much it gets on their nerves. My best friend smokes and I will not hang out at her house because of it. Her husaband smokes as well. Cigarettes should be illegal. I am sorry for your loss. Terri

Jon my heart goes out to you and your family. In 1991 I watched my grandmother (the woman who raised me) die of lung cancer. It was the most difficult thing I'd ever gone through. I applaud you for sharing your BILs story. I've shared my grandmother's tragedy many times and have known several people to stop smoking because I did. I hope that if someone out there is still smoking, your story helps change that fact. My grandmother also quit many years before the cancer struck her body. It was I that had to take her to the ER because the radiation therapy was causing her to have trouble breathing. Unknown to us at the time, the cancer had moved from her lungs to her spine. It was I that listened to her uncontrollable pain and begging for relief.... and it was I that responded to her plea, lowered the top of her hospital bed and heard her neck snap -- my actions caused her neck to break. (I lived with that guilt for a LONG time.) The cancer then traveled to her brain..... I then, in her mind, became her mother. She didn't know she had children. She didn't know I existed. I had to pretend to be her mom. Folks, this cancer .... this very painful and emotional slow death is unnecessary. It causes you to be in so much pain, you shut down and stop eating. Then because you're in so much pain, you can't ask for pain meds so they don't give it to you. It was I that had to pound desks and pull physicians out of meetings to be her voice. I echo Jon, if you haven't stopped - STOP NOW. Jon, I'm glad your BIL is in a much better place. I'm just sorry it had to be this way, for him and for your family. Sheryl In the Zoo

Jon, Sorry to hear about your loss. Thanks for posting. My husband just got a prescription for Wellbutrin to help him quit. I pray that he finally does. We have a 14 year old daughter and 10 year old son. My son just bugs and bugs him. I keep telling him I did the weight loss surgery to be around for my kids and now it is turn. He is still smoking, but hope he has set a date soon. Lynn

My heart goes out to you Jon, and your family. What a tough thing to watch. I agree wholeheartedly. My daughter just quit the first of the year and she is now smoke free for 7 days!!! Hallalueh! My son still smokes, and he's only 20....I wish he would quit! I worry. God bless, Theresa

Jon, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Know that my thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.... From the standpoint of someone who works for pulmonary specialists, I deal with smokers and lung cancer on a daily basis. I can't tell you how many patients have said to me: "Do you smoke?" "No, never have, never will." "Good, because I'd do anything to get my lungs back. Don't ever start." And they're the ones who are gasping thru their oxygen tubing for every breath. I've seen many people die from this awful disease - young and old alike. If you DO smoke, quitting smoking NOW will definately prolong your life. It's a legal drug that kills. The tobacco companies know this, yet they keep on selling. When will it end?