Quit still intact

[nsd_user663_51469]

Well I don't post very often I know, but I dislike being negative and I do suffer with down times over my quit now and then. Some of us, especially long term smokers seem to suffer with this. Takes all sorts.

I have not had a cigarette since 1st June. I have been hospitalized in severe pain for a week, had to sit with my leg up for a fortnight and was allowed to start pottering out this week. I have been Xmas shopping, (I am a very large child regarding Christmas) and generally being positive.

To cut a long story short, I was getting ready to go to the nurse today to have my leg checked/dressed when the phone went. My partner's surgery wanted to speak with him. He was at work. They cannot tell me what it is about, so I worry. (He has health problems). As I put my coat on, my surgery ring and want to speak with him. No info. Now I'm really worried.

I am a very drowned, bedraggled toucan by the time I get home. OH is on the phone. Phone call from his surgery is to book for flu jab! Phone call from my surgery (which is also his Mum's surgery) was to try and track her down to tell her to stop taking a certain tablet straight away! I had been putting myself through so much stress over what might be wrong.

Well there are cigarettes in our house, as OH still smokes, (outside,or in the garage). I was THAT close. So for the first time in 3 months, I had some NRT gum. Just one piece.

My argument is, do whatever it takes to preserve your quit. Nrt is not ideal, and it has now gone back in the cupboard, but it kept my nearly 6 month quit intact today.

Hope this post is helpful in some way to folks who worry that their quits don't seem quite so shiny and happy as some folk's. I am determined to keep going, and if a piece of gum cements a wobble, then hey ho, so be it.

toucan xx

[nsd_user663_53617]

Hey Toucan, I bet you were tearing your hair out - well done for not going for the cigs, as you said, whatever it takes to keep you quit....and 6 months is an ace achievement!!

[nsd_user663_53202]

toucan, it's good to hear how you're getting on. Sounds like one challenge after another for you, I think you're doing especially well under the circumstances.

Not smoking is what matters, and I agree that if a bit of NRT can keep you of the fags, then do it. Having that instead of one of your partner's fags was definitely the way to go, nice one.

I find the gritty determination of your quit inspiring - thank you for posting.

[nsd_user663_51469]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

hello there toucan i agree with what ever it takes you have done a damn good job so far and those times the craves come in are actually our programmed brains having a glitch as we are in the process of reprogrammimg the brain to understand that we no longer smoke old habits are hard to break for the brain and it will have what i call a brain fart and divert to our old way of thinking instead of the new normally a quick reboot of the brain will fix it up though mine still does it every now and again i try and use them as a reminder of how much i have achieved and you have also achieved great things keep going you can do it

cheers

gra

Eleven months, two days, 6 hours, 49 minutes and 18 seconds. 20297 cigarettes not smoked, saving $11,569.31. Life saved: 10 weeks, 11 hours, 25 minutes.

[nsd_user663_50109]

Hi toucan

There had bin plenty of times when I could have reached for the smokes. Iv still got NRT and have sat there my self thinking if the crave don't go away I'm having some. That's the reason iv not got rid of it yet. Iv got boxes of it. Patches gum the Cartrigies for inhalers.

[Unah]

I just reached for a lozenge after reading how it has worked for several people. I've wanted a fag the last couple of days and if a bit of NRT tricks my brain then that's ok by me. Whatever it takes.

[nsd_user663_51469]

I totally agree Una. I'm so glad I didn't reach for one of OH's fags yesterday. I'd have been all doom and gloom and total useless feeling this morning.

One piece of gum, and |'ve moved on.

Takes a while to rebuild a life. I usually knit and crochet to extreme. Like at least one garment a week for grandaughters. Since quitting, I've lost the urge to make stuff. Weird isn't it. It's as though you have to re-learn to do everything without a cig. Must get back to it.

[Unah]

I can't think why any kind of NRT should work but I suppose it's all to do with the subconscious. It worked for me too so I better hang on to them.

I knit for my grandchildren all the time too but I haven't done any since I went on the anti depressants. They should be completely out of my system today so perhaps that's why I'm feeling better. I've got a stack of wool sitting on the coffee table waiting to give me inspiration.

How old are your grandchildren?

[nsd_user663_51469]

The girls are 2 and 4. Little blonde bombshells. Daughter-in-law is one who really appreciates the "makes".

Do you belong to Ravelry? If not, then join. It's free, and there are loads of helpful resources and free patterns. (Loads of forums as well, excellent housework avoidance). Takes a while to find your way round at first, but it's great. Inspiration by the bucket load.

[Unah]

Mine are 6 and 7. One of each. Never heard of rivalry so I'll look now. I write my own patterns and sometimes embroider on them. Thinking of buying a new machine.

[nsd_user663_50109]

I can't think why any kind of NRT should work but I suppose it's all to do with the subconscious. It worked for me too so I better hang on to them.

I knit for my grandchildren all the time too but I haven't done any since I went on the anti depressants. They should be completely out of my system today so perhaps that's why I'm feeling better. I've got a stack of wool sitting on the coffee table waiting to give me inspiration.

How old are your grandchildren?

I tryed knitting at the start of my quit. Iv done 3 rows and gave up I'm all finger and thumbs. I thought I would be able get it mow I'm older. My nan used to try teach me when I was little and I could never get it

[Unah]

I taught my granddaughter. She loves doing crafts of all kinds.