Day 17: First time posting

[nsd_user663_50348]

Hello all! I've been reading the posts on this forum for two weeks and finally decided to sign up and post today. Today is Day 17 of no smoking for me. I am 35 years old, female, and have been smoking since I was 16 years old. At the end of my addiction here, I was up to 2 packs a day, and if I was drinking alcohol, sometimes more.

About 3 weeks ago, I came down with a nasty case of Strep throat. I have never had strep throat like this before. It was so bad that the pain meds were causing me to vomit over my already inflamed throat. My doctor put me in the hospital for 2 days to get the inflammation down. The point of my story was that I didn't ask for a patch while I was there, and I really wasn't thinking about smoking, as all I could think about was how bad my throat hurt. So after 48 hours of hospitalization, my husband came to pick me up and instead of lighting up, I chose not to. I figure the hospital gave me a jumpstart for 2 days and why blow it now?

So here I am...17 days and I quit cold turkey. Every day I notice something positive about this entire experience. For example, last night the husband and I went to see a movie and I didn't leave halfway through to go have a smoke.

I will not say this has been easy, but it has been easier than I thought it would. However, yesterday, at Day 16, I broke down crying in front of my husband. I told him I really wanted to have some beers, some smokes and call my girlfriend and chit chat. Of course, he said I could have some beers and make the call, just couldn't have the smokes. Problem is, I associate the smokes and beers together, so I knew if I had beers, it was only a matter of time before I went out and bought a pack of smokes. I was pretty upset, trying to reason to him why I should be able to "reward" myself with a smoke or two. I was crying like a blubbering idiot, telling him how everything is so different now and I feel like I've turned into a hermit; afraid to go in public where there may be smoking, don't want to drive anywhere, because I always smoked in my car. The list goes on. He claims that soon enough I'll be stronger and this phase will be over and get better. I mean, I'm not a total hermit, I WILL go places, but it seems given the choice right now, I just stay away from temptation. On the other hand, my house has never been more organized and clean as it is now. I've tried to keep busy while I'm here and that progress clearly shows.

My kids are 6, 7, and 8, and they are cheering me on daily. The house no longer smells of old cigarettes, and I'm no longer jeopardizing my family's health with my selfish habit. I have been withdrawing $10 a day from the bank which is what it was costing me to smoke every day. I now have $160 worth of bills in my piggy bank. It's my biggest VISUAL incentive right now. I think to myself, "OMG, look at how much I was spending to kill myself."

I never viewed myself as a non-smoker. But I'm starting to get used to this whole "not smoking" thing. I just wish some of the doubts would go away...Thank you for reading/listening. I haven't had a cigarette in 17 days and this is the longest I've ever gone. I've got this now.

[nsd_user663_42390]

Welcome

Welcome to the forum! This is the place to be if you want to stay quit. It is wonderful that you have decided to quit whilst you are still young and your children will be so proud of you. They are probably very relieved too, I know mine are. This will get easier and it is best to avoid certain situations in the early days for obvious reasons, the temptation is too strong. Although some people would say not. They would say you should face it head on and you will get over the triggers sooner. It is very much an individual thing, for me avoiding situations where I used to smoke was key! The fact that you are now seeing the benefits of being a non smoker is great because that will keep you motivated. Read all the posts you can on the forum there is some excellent advice from people who know exactly what you are going through.

[nsd_user663_18145]

Hi and Welcome to the forum nursegirl

well done on deciding to get the control back from that nasty addictive expensive white stick :eek:

try not to think too far ahead about quitting just take one day at a time and when you wake up say to yourself

"im not going to smoke today"

and everytime you get a crave come on try and keep hands and mind busy till it passes and it will

the longer you stay quit the weaker they become

post on here and read as much as you can the link in my signature is full of help

onwards and upwards is the way forward

regards

Carol

[Dippy_Egg]

Oh nurse girl. Well done you. Very very very very bloody well done. And poor you with the tears. I dont think it would take too much ferretting about this forum to realise tears and depression and stuff are, for many, an unfortunate, but thankfully temporary part of quitting. I'm so pleased your husband was there to steady you and that you didnt crack. One thing I would say is this. You are still going to be able to have fun in your life. You are still going to be able to drink and so******e and laugh and natter just like you always have. I know that all these things you mention are triggers that you associate with smoking, but I promise you, as everyone else on here will promise you......one by one you can break these associations. You can drive without smoking...you can drink without smoking.....you can have coffee after a meal without smoking....just do all these things a time or two and you'll see that i'm right. Life goes on Nurse girl....and guess what? Its even better than it was.

Keep it up..... 17 days....wow!