Another reason to hate what smoking does

[nsd_user663_53658]

Well, I have been up at the hospital with my dad for an appointment with ophthalmology for the fourth week running this morning. He has had a bleed from his retina into the jelly in his eyeball (made worse because he is on warfarin) and they couldn’t work out why.

After having bright lights shone through varying strengths of magnifying glasses into his eye for up to 10 minutes at a time spanning over an hour on four separate occasions, they have finally been able to see past the general blood in his eye to see a tight mass of blood in there. He has to go back next week to see the surgeon for his opinion and to decide on a course of action. Today, the consultant said that it is down to the fact that my dad was a smoker until when he lost his leg.

My dad is such a brave man, he’s always positive and cheerful but I think this is getting him worried because his vision is pretty seriously impaired in that eye now and it hasn’t really got any better in the month since it happened. I am praying that this resolves itself and he gets his sight back to what it was. He has paid so much for the fact that he smoked, I don’t want him to have to go through anything else.

Smoking is evil in so many ways, there are things that can go wrong that you wouldn’t even consider.

I’m so relieved I have quit now. I just hope and pray that I will heal enough to avoid the things that have happened to my parents from it.

I didn't need any more determination to never ever light up again but I've got it anyway.

If I could have one wish in my life, it would be that no-one else would ever start smoking ever again, anywhere in the world. It's time for this poison to stop killing people, both quickly and slowly.

I was in two minds as to whether or not to post this because its pretty negative but if it gives anyone a nudge to either quit or stay quit if they're struggling then it will be worth it.

Molly

[nsd_user663_54332]

Oh that's awful Molly, I hope your dad gets his sight back in that eye

((hugs))

Would love your wish to come true, maybe one day it will?

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Thanks for sharing, that's really awful for your dad I hope it improves and they can do "something" to help.

Both my father and father in law suffered in their twilight years due to a lifetime of smoking, but when they (and your dad) started the dangers weren't known.

However these days we do know what tobacco does and yet we stand by and let new smokers come along in the certain knowledge that some will suffer the ills that this addiction so generously doles out. I can't help feeling that we are letting down future generations by allowing its sale to continue.

I've said it before but smoking is like a pension fund for ill health, the longer you pay into it the bigger the return when you hit retirement.

[nsd_user663_60348]

Awwww

Im sorry to hear about your dad Molly (((hugs)))

Hopefully, the consultant next week will bring good news for your dad

[nsd_user663_53658]

I know what you mean Max.

I feel nothing but sympathy for those that are already addicted. I know I hated feeling hounded, looked down on and belittled when I smoked and I wouldn't ever wish that on anyone. Quitting is something that each person has to come to on their own.

As Nic said my dad wasn't made aware of the dangers when he started. For that matter it wasn't really talked about when I started. That has changed, everyone everywhere in the world knows now.

I really do wish there was a way to draw a line under this madness (and that is what it is, I don't think anyone could call starting out smoking now anything but sheer madness) and come up with a way to make kids SEE how bad it is, what it does, the suffering and worry it causes, and the erosion to self confidence and self belief that happens over time through addiction.

There, it is not often that I rant on here (in fact this may well be the first time!) so thank you for letting me get that lot out.

[nsd_user663_58817]

Molly

Feel sad for you and your Dad, and yes feel sad at all our ignorance. Because that is what it is for me and most of us. We choose to ignore the dangers hoping that it won't happen to us always someone else. We must all make that final break now. We owe it to our loved ones and nearest and dearest.

Really hope there is reassuring news down the line for your dear dad. xx

[nsd_user663_53658]

Fingers crossed that it is a simple solution for him. He's already been through more than enough to be fair.

Thanks everyone for your best wishes, they mean a lot. I'll let you know what to surgeon says next week.

Right, I'm off the have a beer with my dad in a minute and see if I can't get him laughing

[nsd_user663_58817]

Have one for me xx

[nsd_user663_53658]

I tell you what Woo, I'll alternate them between us, how's that?

[nsd_user663_60655]

Hi Molly

I hope there will be good news for your dad (will remember him in my prayers). You were right to post it. It serves as a wake-up call.

Unfortunately, a lifetime of smoking will have an effect. My father is 83 and smoked all his life, some 60 years and only gave up a few years ago due to acute sinus trouble (a life-long problem no doubt exacerbated by smoking). He has very poor blood circulation as a consequence of smoking and this was one of the determining factors for me to stop.

Wish your dad the best of luck

Firefly

[nsd_user663_18145]

so sorry to hear about your dad hun

i do hope you have some good news when you see the consultant

sending loving ((*HUGS*)) to you xx

[nsd_user663_53649]

I hope your dad gets good news, . It is sad to see them suffering. As Someone else said, smoking was the cool thing to do when he was younger and nobody knew the trouble it would cause later. I found that amazing in Mad Men, everyone smoking and promoting it as something that the elite and cool people did.

[nsd_user663_58817]

Hello Molly,

How are you and how is your dad doing ?

[nsd_user663_53658]

Hiya Woo,

Thank you for asking petal,

My dad is about the same, and we are still waiting for his "urgent" appointment with the surgeon. They said it would be this week so we are running out of possible days fast. It's a good job that the company I work for are understanding about me needing time off at short notice!

I'll let you know when we hear anything

[nsd_user663_58817]

Hi Molly,

Oh please do. Hopefully soon yeah. Bless x

[nsd_user663_59642]

My very best wishes for your Dad, Molly.

Val

xxx

[nsd_user663_59305]

Oh Molly, I'm so sorry I missed this post - my Dad too has various conditions due to smoking and had to have tumours on his kidneys and half his left lung removed due to cancer 6 months ago, now he has prostate and bowel issues and needs operations in both areas but has to have some lung recovery before they can operate. He has always been a grumpy git (we bought him a bah humbug hat for crimbo) but not he's a chairbound grumpy git. He also has COPD, emphysema, bronchitis etc etc etc. Like your poor Dad he also had to wait months for his urgent appointment, the bowel issue has been going on for three years! I am sending lots of love and positive thoughts your way.

[nsd_user663_53658]

Wow Jen, your dad is in the thick of it love, I'm sending hugs and best wishes right back to him, I mean that!

I thought my dad had paid heavily enough but I'm not surprised your dad feels grumpy, that's a set of absolutely awful things to be happening to him.

I really hope things at the very least get to a more comfortable place for him and I hope that no more goes wrong. It amazes me what life throws at some folk, it doesn't seem fair.

A very merry Christmas to you and your pops big hugs to you Jen and please give your dad a hug and a kiss from me x

[nsd_user663_53649]

you know, it is so awful watching our parents die, become smaller, and suffer and we KNOW smoking shortened their lives. I hope your dad will get a good result, some do manage to get away with awarning, and he did stop. I really do keep him in my thoughts.

[nsd_user663_59305]

Wow Jen, your dad is in the thick of it love, I'm sending hugs and best wishes right back to him, I mean that!

I thought my dad had paid heavily enough but I'm not surprised your dad feels grumpy, that's a set of absolutely awful things to be happening to him.

I really hope things at the very least get to a more comfortable place for him and I hope that no more goes wrong. It amazes me what life throws at some folk, it doesn't seem fair.

A very merry Christmas to you and your pops big hugs to you Jen and please give your dad a hug and a kiss from me x

Thank you Molly, I will do and the same to you and your Dad. He was grumpy before he was Ill, even my niece calls him Grumps instead of Gramps - ha has packed in the ciggies though, CT about 8 months ago. I can remember (just) when no smoking day started, he always used to be extra miserable and grumpy, when anyone used to ask if he was taking part, he'd say No, just showing sympathy for those that are :rolleyes: Daft bugger!