Had my first fag when I was nine 53 years ago. Didn't start smoking regularly though till I went to sea at 15, smoked non stop since then. Been on medication for hypertension for about 27/8 years, they tell me I have Heart disease (Can't see it). Saw my mother and younger sister die with lung cancer (both heavy smokers) any good reasons there? Weren't good enough for me, still smoked.
About six months ago, my friend was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, spent five weeks in Hull Royal Infirmary, had a lump cut out of his tongue and replaced with muscle from his thigh, he's home now but still not well, had his chemo and radium, finished that, but still feeding through his stomach. Couple of weeks after he came home, I noticed a funny white stripe on the side of my tongue, saw the doctor the next day, and after 6 weeks and 2 different treatments he referred me to the hospital.
Chopped a lump off my tongue and stuck 3 stitches in (bloody sore) got the results after 2 weeks and I have a condition caused entirely by smoking, which, if I continue to smoke WILL (not might) turn cancerous. Unlike my other medical conditions (nearly done) I could see what smoking was doing to me, and seeing what my hoppo was going through finally made me grow up and decide to quit. It was a bit spooky really, just after he came out of hospital I told my wife about this vivid dream I had. I had the same illness as my friend but, where he was writing everything down on a note pad after his operation, I had a laptop on my bed, two days after that I found the thing on my tongue. Finished at last. David.
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Hi David, and welcome to a great support network here!
Every day, when you need to, come here, and post, with a happy or rant, knowing that there's someone here who'll be able to reply and help you with your quit
Sometimes it can take the biggest kick up the backside ever to make us want to quit, mine is my father's illness (despite him being a non smoker).
You've had your wake up call, and acted upon it
I hope that any further health checks are much more positive and happier than the last few have been.
That gave me the chills.... truly. I am sorry it took that much to make you quit...... truly. Hope everything goes well from now on for you!! My grandpa died from smoking.... horrid, horrid death..... and you know, I kept on smoking.... it just hits us sometimes and it is the right time... keep going.... hope you are feeling well.
Thank you all for your comments. Rightly or wrongly though I've never worried about my health, I've allways enjoyed my life and apart from a few aches abd pains, if I can't feel or see anything it doesn't worry me. Now I have stopped doing so many things, all I need to stop now is swearing and gambling and I could be a Morman lol. David
The further away I get from the addiction ,the more I wonder how I made myself its prisoner for so many years.
Hope your next check up brings positive news.
Hiya anniem. Strange isn't it, I've only been stopped smoking just over 3 weeks and I look at people smoking and wonder why. Next checkup in May. It is now up to something more powerful than me. David
Hope the checkup in May goes OK mine is in April and hope to be discharged from the Franchay then it is hard now to realise that less than a year ago I came so close to meeting my maker but am feeling great,happy and getting on with the rest of my life and not missing the fags at all now although I still get the odd fleeting thought of oh a fag would be nice but gone almost before it's there if you know waht I mean
Hiya Marg. Sorry I didn't reply earlier, my modem power unit went on the blink and had to send my wife to my daughters to get a spare. I'm sure all will go well for you in April, in fact I'm sure it will if your attitude is anything to go by. Love. David
I certainly hope so but have no signs of anything untoward and none of those excruciating headaches if they come back know i'm in trouble but will let you all know asap
Wow.. what a post.. and am really pleased that similar to me you have reacted to a health scare and decided to quit the weed!
Unfortunately, most people being who we are often wait til it is too late.. oh it wont happen to me etc, but stories such as many on here are proof that it can happen to anyone.
My grandad smoked for 60 years and lived til he was 89, hardly an illness in his life.. and i guess if people have relatives that survive to such a ripe old age they could argue that it will be ok for them.. not necessarily so.
Your grandad was one of the luckier ones wasn't he. Welcome to the forum, and yes it is easy to believe it happens to other people. I had another close friend who died of cancer and when he was diagnosed he used to say "Why NOT me". It did hit home with me though, seeing another friend go through what I could have if I wanted. By the way, after six months since the cancer was found he is still feeding through his stomach, and started smoking again. David
You don't say where in your quit you are, but have a read of this it may help you
Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good
You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathiseing with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad
Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be
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