Never under-estimate an education

[Wendy]

Hi folks, hope all are well and kicking those quits.

 

Today my brother came to visit - he used to smoke but quit about 20 years ago - I have been quit a little over 2 years.  Anyhoo, he noticed I was talking a bit funny and asked what was wrong with my mouth.  I told him I have 2 ulcers (cankers) - 1 on the tip of my tongue and 1 on the side of my tongue near the back.  What's that from he says ... I replied well, remember I have oral sensitivity since I quit smoking, (I have fibromyalgia, the symptoms of which went a little haywire after I quit - oral sensitivity being one of my 'new' symptoms) and I had some coleslaw last Friday, I think it was that caused the ulcers.  He replied, why don't you start smoking again then?  That'll stop the ulcers ... erm really??

 

Well says I, I usually have it under control and I know more or less what I shouldn't eat and drink but sometimes I can't help having something yummy or it takes me by surprise - like lemon oil in my lip salve!  More to the point though, I don't actually want to smoke anymore - I have no desire to smoke ... it's just not part of who I am any more.

 

He then told me how he would smoke if he could - if he could just smoke say up to 10 a day he would revert back to smoking but knows he wouldn't be able to stick at that so that's why he stays smober.

 

 

 

WOW ... he's been quit over 20 years but still wants to smoke??!!  I just can't imagine thinking that way.  And the only difference I can think of is 20 years ago Joel Spitzer wasn't all over the internet.  Or maybe he was and my brother just didn't have a computer.  Whatever ... the point is ... all over the internet, including on this very site, is a wealth of information that can change your attitude towards smoking and quitting.  I have benefited from that 'education' whereas my brother remains convinced he enjoyed smoking and it helped him relax and all those other myths we were fed ..

 

Educate yourself people!  It makes a world of difference.  Ok so champix helped too in my case but really ... education :)

 

 

[Nancy]

Wendy, you have that exactly right!  I could not agree more.

[Dee]

I have to admit if I could smoke without having it cause damage to my lungs I would.... One of the agents at my job said his doctor once told him if you enjoy do not do it its not good for you.... 

[Doreensfree]

It's not always your lungs D...what about the other parts of your body it effects....

It effects so much..in ways we never thought ..

But I'm glad to hear you quit for your lungs..x

[Reciprocity]

I agree that education about the smoking addiction plays a key role in helping us not only quit but stay quit. Once you truly understand AND believe in the fact that smoking does nothing positive or good for you, it becomes easier to battle the addiction AND to remain smoke free longer term. Truly amazing that he would still think of actually going back to smoking after that long a quit. My wife has been quit for about 15 years now and she admits that occasionally, she thinks that she would like to have a smoke but it's a fleeting thought more than anything else - certainly not a crave. She kind of laughs when she talks about it. I know she would never seriously even consider taking it up again - just wouldn't happen. I was the black sheep - smoking all those years after she quit :P

[bakon]

I thought we were talking about Bat or Booger

[ExTex]

If I could smoke without consequence, I would.  I enjoyed many aspects of smoking.

I don't think that will ever change.  

But smoking does have consequences and I have to accept that and move on.

Educating myself about all the awful side-affects helps remind me every day of why it is worth gaining TONS of weight and going through some rough days in order to quit.

[Reciprocity]

^^^^^   Agree completely.

[Stewie]

If it werent for my health i would smoke like a chimney! I wouldnt mind the cost, smell or other implications.

[Dee]

Also quit cause wrinkles....... That is a very important thing also LOL