Posted 24 July 2012 - 01:05 AM

Today I reached two months in this journey to be smoke free. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I smoked one pack a day for 28yrs and thought I would be chained to it forever. I cannot believe how long it took me to quit. I am 44 years old and have had many medical issues directly related to smoking. In my mid 30's I began to experience wheezing, especially when I lay down--and still I continued to smoke. At 38 I began to have severe pain when I walked more than a few feet. After some testing it was discovered that I was not getting adequate blood flow to my legs. I had a stent put in to my artery to help--I smoked on the way home from that procedure. Two years ago I had a blood clot go to my lung and was hospitalized for two weeks. I was told to quit smoking---this could have been fatal--and I smoked the moment I was released.

I felt guilty constantly, I felt weak and inadequate. Since I quit smoking, I have no need to feel guilty. I have no need to worry about what I am doing to myself and my family. I am stronger than I have ever been before. I am no longer chained to an addiction that kept me from enjoying my life.

I am not as good with words as some of you are here or as forthcoming with what I am feeling etc... Thank you all so much for helping me to get my life back. A life I had forgotten even existed.

~Jenny