The day I eventually saw sense.

[nsd_user663_6064]

My husband's niece aged 35 had been experiencing a black small toe off and on for a number of months. She was also getting tingling in her left hand and pains in her chest. Within two days of visiting her GP she was at the hospital.

Consultant told her she had a heart murmur and hardening of the arteries as a direct result of smoking. She was told she had to quit there and then.

She is due for tests (scans) on her heart and stomach next week (why the stomach).

SHE CONTINUES TO SMOKE. She has a 2 and a half year old son, her mother smokes 60 plus a day and has also been told that if she doesn't quit it will kill her. She won't.

As soon as I found out about this I tore up my fags, went CT and will never have another puff.

[nsd_user663_4786]

Powerful read that, thanks for posting it.

As i am sure you are aware you can not make anybody stop smoking if they do not want to. I hope you have told her about us lot, and maybe she could come and have a look.

You have great reasons there, and whenever you feel weak just come back and read them again.

[Cyprien]

Hi Soosy, Horrible thing for your niece and her family to have to go through - and she's still so young. Maybe when they she how well you're doing, it might be some encouragement.

Sue

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Soosy

Sorry about your niece and her Mum what a pity they're both still smoking but as Sue says maybe when they see how well you're doing it will get them to quit as well

Love

Marg xx

[nsd_user663_6064]

I know only too well that only we can make the decision not to smoke. I have told them about us - but I think it has fallen on deaf ears.

I hope they see sense soon.

Thank you everyone.

Soosy

[nsd_user663_5920]

Hi Soosy

It's strange and unpredictable how folk react when given this shocking news.

Certainly smoking more won't make it go away but the 'head in the sand' approach, whilst not idea is understandable, certainly in the first instance, but with so much to live for and given their prognosis, let's hope that like you, they can turn this into something good for themselves and their children.

I clearly remember my nan coughing up her lungs all day every day and now I hear my mum (at 65) sounding just the same. It's horrible, always was and still is. I have hopefully avoid that for myself.

Pol

[nsd_user663_3755]

Oh my that's just awful! Is she still smoking? How hard to have to stand by and watch someone do that to themself- and with such a small child to look after too. We really will cheat ourselves out of a decent life if we let ourselves eh.

I so hope she is able to get a grip on her addiction and stop- I read some horrible thing on the 'why quit' site about a young guy with some smoking disease where he lost toes, then legs, then fingers- just awful, but he kept smoking, even knowing catagorically that was the cause. He stopped eventually, but has no legs and is very young. It was very sad to read.

I really hope she's ok, and that you are too- it must be hard for you. X

[nsd_user663_6064]

Update on my thread

My husband's niece continues to smoke. She has now developed another black toe.

I don't think the doctor knows about the second toe yet - but he has told her that she will probably have to have the first toe amputated.

What utter stupidity to continue to smoke.

She seems to be in denial and for all she has been told what the causes are is telling everyone that she has a fungus infection.

My husband and I do not know what to do - she will not listen to anyone.

I am so glad I have now quit.

[nsd_user663_6570]

hey soosy

mmmm sort of puts things into perspective doesnt it. my mum died of cancer when i was 25, my twin also died of heart attack 6 weeks before mum died,,,,,,, both smoked,,,,,,,,it didnt stop me . took me to be 35 i think before my first stop..... now 49 and on my 4th........ i really feel this will be the last stop....... she will come aroung in here own time well done u xxx