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last minute

braddana03
on 9/18/09 2:34 pm
Hi, I am new here. I have been a lurker for some time, but I need some advice.  My surgery is oct 26 with my pre-op day on oct 20th. My surgeon requires 4 weeks no smoking before pre op testing. Well, today is the 19th. I have known that i had to quit for some time now.....but i have waited till the last minute. I have been planning for this surgery for over a year. I need to get with the program.....I haven't stopped drinking sweet drinks and I'm not exercising. Tomorrow is it!! I have got to quit today.....And i know i can do it if i put my mind to it. I really need my butt kicked is what i need. any advice on what will take my mind off of smoking?   

                                                                                                               

    
NewMe2Be72
on 9/18/09 3:54 pm - CO
Hello and welcome!!

I am about 1 week and 3 days from having a cigarrette.  It has been since monday morning since I had a 7 mg patch.  Yes (head hanging low) I did smoke while I was on that darn patch.
I quit with the support of my husband who quit with me.  Although, he quit cold turkey.  You can imagine the tension in  our home between us!! Both of us just plain grumps LOL.  I have been using red licorice.  Odd as it may sound... I bite it in half.. then bite both ends off and "smoke" it.   (needs to have the hole done the center so you can "suck in")  It worked for me last year... Being a smoker for about 20 years.. Finally I quit.. for 6 months, then my dad went into the hospital and we almost lost him... Everyone in my family smokes... stress, etc.. next thing I know I am smoking again..
My doctor requires you to be smoke free too.  I am just so afraid that I gained during this time!! 
I wish you the best of luck!!  It is hard to quit!!!
God Bless!
Brenda
Patty T.
on 9/18/09 11:29 pm - Boalsburg, PA
I've been a non-smoker for 2 weeks yesterday. I started taking Chantix in advance of my quit date and it has helped quite a bit. The patch does help - I've used it in the past.

The biggest challenge for me is the car trip between work and home. I used to smoke Clove cigs, so I got some of that Clove gum and some Big Red as well. When I feel I want a smoke, I pop a piece of gum. Some days are better than others. Yesterday I ate more protein bars than I should have, but at least it wasn't candy bars!

Quitting smoking is hard work. Be kind to yourself. Be sure to get your sleep and drink lots of fluids. Find simple ways to reward yourself for your success.

Moral support of those around you is a big plus. My stepson has been a big supporter. DH supports me on my quit, but is still smoking himself. Luckily I don't like his brand, and as my system cleans out, he smells awful.

So all that said, here are some things I've done in the past that have helped:

Snap my wrist with a rubber band if I think positively about smoking
Keep a butt jar of old butts wet down (so you don't smoke one) - sniff when needed
Chew gum
cinnamon bark sticks
flavored toothpicks
fancy drink stirrer to play with
if you work, take a breathing break - go sit somewhere quiet and breathe deeply
drink lots of liquids
nap
Chantix
Patch
Valerian
Computer games or jigsaw puzzles
Don'****ch older movies where everyone smokes, it seems

Best of luck. Please let me know if I can help.

Patty


NewMe2Be72
on 9/19/09 2:16 am, edited 9/19/09 2:17 am - CO

Patty, Good post!

I have to say... this one:

-Keep a butt jar of old butts wet down (so you don't smoke one) - sniff when needed

made me sick to think about! LOL Makes ya think tho!  A heck of a deterant!

ETA:  Before I quit smoking the last time... I weaned down... smoking my ciggs in 1/2's instead of wholes.  I quit smoking in my home and in my car.  I tried to rearrange my routine.. I always had a cigg first thing in the morning, right after eating, while on the phone, at the computer, in my car to and from work, right before bed at night, when I smoked in my home, I always had a cup of coffee and a cigg when I did my hair and make-up lol.  Find other ways to relive stress.. (besides grazing, of course)  I believe patty wrote something on taking deep breaths. 
The last time I quit... I called the national jewish hospital here in Denver, they do a progrom with you... they call you so many times a month to council you and they provided my patches!  I started at 14mgs and 2 weeks later went to 7 mgs for about 1-2 weeks.  See if they have something like that where you live! 

Patty T.
on 9/19/09 4:53 am - Boalsburg, PA
I've quit 4 times. The first was in the '80's at a hospital sponsored class called SmokeStoppers. That program used quite a bit of aversive therapy and is where the butt jar idea comes from as does the wrist rubber band.

Good reminder about changing routines. That helped me this time. I smoked outside in my "tent" (a metal and canvas gazebo). So for the first week I just didn't go out in the backyard.


braddana03
on 9/19/09 9:10 am
well i have not had a ciggarette since 12:47 last night. I have thought about it so many times today its ridiculous. I'm just remembering that 1 cigarette isn't worth it. thanks for the support.....it means alot!
Patty T.
on 9/20/09 2:15 am - Boalsburg, PA
Good work! 

And yes, it is work to quit. Hang in there, it gets better.


braddana03
on 9/22/09 12:23 pm
this is my 4th day of no smoking.
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