Quitting Smoking

This last month, I quit smoking a month ago on July 26, 2017!!! My General Practitioner asked why I still smoked if I was only smoking 3-5 cigarettes a day? I responded, "I enjoy the flavor..." He laughed and suggested that I try Nicotine Gum instead of the 3-5 cigarettes a day. I also have low functioning kidneys and one of those kidneys has a low grade cancer on it.
I met with a specialist about removing this low grade cancer and with his recommendation, he also explained their may be a need for dialysis, for a short period of time until my body adjust or permanently should they need to remove the who kidney! I then asked about a transplant? In which he responded that I would need to have quit smoking and be on Dialysis for 2 years and that because of the location of the growth being on the backside of my kidney amongst all the veins and arteries, there is a chance that I could bleed out during surgery...
Deep thoughts...
A day or so later, with this in my mind, I went to my wound care doctor in Springfield, it has been determined that I have Venous Reflux disease and like Multiple Sclerosis, there is no cure but there are things that I can do! Such as:

1. Exercise such as walking. (I am getting a recumbent bike)
2. Move my digits and foot at the ankle. (digits=Toes)
3. Wear compression hose.
4. Finally quitting smoking with assist in blood flow..............

Dammit, there is the quitting smoking once again, I already knew that smoking was not good for my MS, Breathing, and general health but come on, I enjoy the taste. But I left that doctor appointment with my kidney issue and venous reflux issue on my mind and doctor DeValle's suggestion of using Nicotine Gum on my mind. As drove from St John's Pavilion, Wound Care Clinic,  I stopped off and bought 4 packs of cigarettes and went onto Walmart and did my shopping.

While at Walmart, I made my decision and bought a small pack of Nicotine Gum, did not know when I would use it but bought it anyhow.

Would I use it immediately or when, if at all??? I had a dear friend visit me with her husband and she gave me all kinds of flack for still smoking... a day or two later, I decided that when I had smoked my last cigarette from the 5 packs that I had in my possession at that time, it would be my last cigarette.

I decided that I needed a kidney more than a cigarette! Additionally, if stopping will help my blood flow in my legs; BONUS!!!!

So today, I had a friend send me this message on Facebook, "Hey Skip how are you yes send me information on how you quit. I'm really tired of coughing and tired and stinking. Wanting to paint my house but since I smoked in and I'm waiting till I quit"

I responded with this:

1. First off, I quit smoking in my car.
2. Stop smoking in your home, go outside.
3. No cigarettes after 10pm at night. (late night coming back from a night out rules 1 & 2 are out the window!)
4. Only smoke before going into work and on breaks or after work. 1 or 2 cigarettes each time, limit yourself to 6 ish cigarettes during that time period.
5. Eventually cut yourself to 10 cigarettes a day.
6. Now, whittle it down even further, sometime in there do not smoke your first cigarette until noon or later.
7. Try to go a day or longer with only 1 or 2 cigarettes.
8. Find and make a list of 3-5 reasons to quit?
9. I stopped dating women who smoked, so you may want to do the same but guys in your case! LOL (If not I want to watch!)
10. Pick a quit date/time and tell people around you that this is happening and why!
11. Keep that date! Throw away all cigarette butts, empty ashtrays and wash them, put them away as well as any lighters. (Need to keep the lighters, how else will you light candles!)

It is harder to go back on your word if you tell others. You may want to also make a list of your triggers so you are aware of them. For myself it was:

1. Driving in a car.
2. After eating.
3. Break time at work.
4. Out with my friends. (really helped when it became illegal to smoke inside at most places)
5. After copulation.
6. If partaking in Cannabis, for medicinal purposes! (Vape pen came in handy there!)
7. I just felt like I wanted one: Change what you are doing, go for a walk, eat some fruit, chew some gum, suck on a mint, call a friend... All are good alternatives!

Message me and if you want my number for someone to talk to in those times, let me know!!!!

I am hoping not to become one of those "born again" non smokers but choosing to quit is a large undertaking and you are to be applauded in doing so.

I will leave you with this list of benefits and a timeline of what occurs after you quit smoking... and additional smoking cessation program can be found HERE...