KatT's Journal

[KatT]

Vaping is worse than smoking a cigarette therefore I will not try it.

I have cut down by half since coming back from the hospital....a step in the right direction. 

I wish I could do like Fred and Dave but I doubt I could.  I may end up in a stripped or orange pj if I quit cold turky.

I tried 20 years ago, managed to quit at work but on the way home, all I thought was to have a smoke.  Mr. KatT was working nights at that time and tried to hide the packs.  He learned very quickly not to hide them lol

Will try to change some habits or things that I associate with cigarettes such as coffee, etc.

Because Mr. KatT will try to stop too, it means no cigarettes in the house which will make it a lot easier 

[Caroline]

I absolutely understand that this is extremely difficult for you.

Keep in mind that you may gain a lot by stopping.

Be as strong as you can be !

[D Foster]

Just forget them KatT it's the only way to get off the weed.

[Fred]

Get a jar and put the cash you would use to by the smokes in, at the end of the week take half of what is in the jar and treat yourself to something you enjoy, chocolate, beer, cake, whatever.

Put the other half of the cash in another jar and keep it till the end of the month you will be pleasantly surprised how much you have.

Once you get fed up with the weekly treats keep putting it in the jar till the end of year one and see how much you have to spend on a nice relaxing break to celebrate being one year free of smoke.

Is your daughter still living at home ? you could get her involved in giving you encouragement ............. well unless she also smokes.

[D Foster]

Get a jar and put the cash you would use to by the smokes in, at the end of the week take half of what is in the jar and treat yourself to something you enjoy, chocolate, beer, cake, whatever.

Put the other half of the cash in another jar and keep it till the end of the month you will be pleasantly surprised how much you have.

Once you get fed up with the weekly treats keep putting it in the jar till the end of year one and see how much you have to spend on a nice relaxing break to celebrate being one year free of smoke.

Is your daughter still living at home ? you could get her involved in giving you encouragement ............. well unless she also smokes. 

Brilliant Fred.

[Wooley]

It is very hard KatT - but you can do it definitely!!  It took me three attempts to stop, mainly because every time I tried I lost someone close to me and subsequently attributed it to stopping smoking (terrible excuse really)!!  The stress of losing them made me smoke again - I didn't really need to smoke but started again anyway.

Smoking is so habitual - once the carbon monoxide has left your body, you shouldn't really crave for nicotine - hence the 'habit' kicks in and associating it with certain times of the day (first thing or after breakfast, mid morning coffee, after lunch etc).  The cravings will get less and less each day though, promise!  I used to have a sugar free mint/boiled sweet when I had a craving - always held a pen or something in my hands too - seemed to work for me.

I think if you can do it for a few days, you will feel euphoric and hopefully it will give you the motivation to carry on but do take each day at a time - I'm sure you will smash it!!

[KatT]

No my daughter doesn't smoke thank God!!!  And she's regularly on our backs for smoking.

We would be saving 180$ a week also    

I agree Wooley and am looking into things to keep my hands busy.   Morning is the hardest and I have cut down....still a few steps to go.

Still in shock that I had a heart attack and wondering why I had an artery that was 70% blocked as I was told I don't have high cholesterol nor high blood pressure but was put on those meds as a preventative measure....in addition to blood thinner and aspirin.

But I can't help but think if somehow, in addition to my smoking, lupus played a role or Simponi.  It's something I will never know as they can't pinpoint the exact cause(s).


Looking forward to my follow up appointment with the cardiologist in two months.  

Apparently I am in very good hands, I was told he's the best 

[D Foster]

Well you take care and listen to your daughter, it sounds like you have s very good doctor so just take care of yourself and do as you are told.

[KatT]

Will do!  I can be a little stubborn sometimes though 

[Caroline]

Will do!  I can be a little stubborn sometimes though 

Who isn't Dave knows all about that

Great that you are taken good care of. What an amount of money are you saving !! As I am not smoking I must also be saving a lot of money, but somehow I don’t see that in my wallet. Ah… but maybe that explains why I own a motorcycle..

What I am still wondering how you knew that you were having a heart attack(s). Maybe it is an obvious feeling, I don’t know, and when, concerning the symptoms, did you decide to go to the hospital.

Smart daughter.. could have been me