8 Months and going strong..

[nsd_user663_57088]

Just for the record, I'm still here.

[nsd_user663_54332]

That's good to know, well done

How's your OH, is she any better?

[nsd_user663_57088]

It has been a tough year. I had an accident with my bike on the race track on 25 October which landed me in hospital for two weeks with a shattered knee and busted shoulder. I'm still wheelchair bound and hoping to start the rehab process in Jan 2014 as soon as I am able to use crutches (waiting for the shoulder to gain some strength).

My father also passed away on 19 Dec so the holiday season is non-existent this year and everybody is still quite emotional.

Wifey started smoking again but she has been quite successful in loosing a significant amount of weight since August - she'll give the quit smoking another bash after she reached her ideal weight.

I am very happy that I am still smoke-free, even though wifey still smokes. I almost gave in the past two weeks but I knew taking a puff will not make my father's death any easier.

[nsd_user663_54332]

Oh I am sorry Mario, it must have been very difficult for you losing your dad, on top of a rotten year anyway.

Glad you're on the mend, and good luck with the physio

Ooh and good luck to your wife when she quits again!!

[nsd_user663_57088]

Blimey you have had a tough time. Total respect for not caving in awe. Speedy recovery x

Thanks (I'm quite chuffed with myself for not caving, but I can't say it out loud...;))

[nsd_user663_40088]

Sorry for your loss Mario. You are right smoking or not smoking you will feel the same emotions so why smoke ay! well done 8 months if amazing!! xxxx

[nsd_user663_56237]

Sorry to hear that you've had such a tough time of it recently, Mario, but well done for sticking with your quit! I'm sure your wife won't be far behind you and it's great to see that her smoking hasn't affected you too badly.

It's amazing how much more confident and happy you feel when you begin to prove to yourself that you don't need the nicotine monster to deal with stressful situations. We manage just fine on our own, and come out smelling much better than if we rely on stinky cigs to get us through the day.

[nsd_user663_57088]

Thank you all for very kind words and encouragement. The one thing that kept me from caving was the fact that siggies would not have made a difference in what and how I feel - apart from making it worse by thinking they made it better and costing me a bunch of money and prolonging my recovery (by hindering bone growth etc etc etc).

[nsd_user663_57088]

In wifey's defense though - she did manage to lose +25kg in a couple of months and she has some more to go to her ideal weight, but the impact on her health (apart from smoking) is very positive with a much more healthy lifestyle as well as unmeasurable benefits for her back (having undergone 2 fusions by now).

[nsd_user663_57088]

Thanks Kat. I focused on forgetting I was a smoker and posting regularly on the forum sort of defeated the purposes. Having gone through some of the most difficult times and not caving made me realize I am "over it - for good".

I am so glad I stopped smoking - three weeks after my knee operation one of my lungs collapsed (well, a lobe, or a quarter of a lung - I'm not sure what the medical terms are). I had some fluid build up after 5 hours of surgery, which resulted in a mild lung infection, but mild enough that result in a collapsed portion of the lung - that was definitely the most scariest moment in my life - not being able to breathe was terrible.

Anyways, while I was lying in the ER I realized how much worse the situation would have been had I still been a smoker. Within about 5 minutes the medicine started to work and I could breathe better. After 2 days I had no symptoms.

I have a permanent reminder of my bike accident now…see attached.

[nsd_user663_60964]

Ouch :eek:

Poor you....

And congratulations on not cracking under immense pressure by the way.

[nsd_user663_56673]

Great to hear you're still going strong even under such circumstances and well done to Li losing all that weight. You must be a great inspiration to her and all the support she'll need when her turn to knock the fags on the head for good comes around. My very best wishes to you both for 2014