I quit smoking 5 months ago today. I'm doing very well and I'm very confident of my quit-- most of the time. The worst challenge I had occurred a few weeks ago when I had to go to Florida for a week to help my mother. She is 92 years old, lives alone, and has some major health issues. Being with her 24/7-- seeing her frightened and suffering and despairing-- pushed me to the brink of relapse. Once I got home, I re-started low dose Chantix. I stopped that after about 2 weeks and I'm fine again.

My mother is scheduled for total hip replacement surgery (both the ball and the socket) next week. She may not survive the surgery. If she does survive, the recovery will probably be long and difficult. She may be in incredible pain for quite a while after the surgery. Worst case scenario is that the replacement does not heal properly-ever.

So I am starting this blog so I can come here and vent. If history is any guide, I will probably get really aggravated with various aspects of our healthcare system and will need to blow off steam. In addition, my sister and I don't speak to each other but she will be in Florida next week, too, so that's going to be interesting.

Basically, I expect to have quite a lot of stress during the next 2 weeks. I have a couple of techniques that I use to release stress and I am determined to use them and to keep my quit. But it may be helpful sometimes to come here and write out my fears and frustrations. I look at this blog as Quit Protection Insurance.

Wish me luck!!