How my hubby quit

[Tracey3]

He was indeed a heavy smoker, three at least prior to boarding a plane, always routines with his smoking, always one just before that oh so much needed sleep, and every thing in between, but he ever ever smoked in front t of his family ( I'm sure some can relate to that.)

He was admitted to hospital as a emergency, I so hope all men don't indeed take this as the rule, but it was a emergency in he's eyes at least, so plenty of loving thoughtful words. Had his operation,.......

Whilst recovering in his hospital bed, oh that pain was so very terrible, he said with a little twinkle in his eye. And indeed us ladies wouldn't of survived, with a smile. He named the man in the next bed Frank, frank, coughed and wheezed every day for three days and nights, then sadly his bed with him on it was wheeled away, to another wold. Without notifing me came home never smoked again, as he could not get Frank out of his mind, no withdrawals, with that said, not that he mentioned it to me, no weight gain, he just quit quietly on his own.

His world reverted back to normality. Never ever smoked again, as I look back on that time, little me just carried on smoking, being a nice man, he never ever nagged me to stop or not to smoke around him.

It is indeed a strange little world at times.

[Hidden]

It always amazes me that some people can just walk away from smoking, no problems whilst others struggle so much. I think a lot of it comes down to acceptance. If you are 100% ready to quit, have accepted that you will not smoke again no matter what - I think you have an easer time of it. The slightest doubt creates that argument in your head and then you struggle - the addiction looks for an excuse to give in.

I remember (vaguely - it was a very long time ago!) back in my previous life (before kids lol) there was a spell when I was unemployed, living in a little dingy flat in a bad area and one day I had about 23 p left until my next unemployment check was due to arrive a week later - I had food but no cigs. I went round everyone I knew trying to get money for cigs but no one would fund my habit (quite rightly). After a moment of mad panic I had no choice but to accept there was nothing I could do - there would be no smoking for a week. And do you know, I was absolutely fine. No craves, didn't miss it at all. But when that unemployment check arrived, after cashing it, the first thing I did was buy cigarettes.

Stupid stupid stupid. In all my subsequent quit attempts, I have never achieved that total acceptance again.

I expect Tracey3 your husband decided he wanted to quit more than he wanted to smoke after his experience with Frank - sometimes that can be enough to put us on the right path.

Great post!

[Abuelajeannie 3 Years Smoke Free]

The power of our minds is definitely the answer to people like your hubby. When I first found out I was pregnant with my son I immediately threw away my cigs and for 8 months never gave smoking a second thought no craves no withdrawal nothing but 5 minutes after his birth I had an enormous crave and within an hour of his birth I was out of bed, into the hospital day room and smoking again (yes you could smoke in hospital day rooms in those days). Obviously my need to protect my unborn child was a powerful tool, once he was born I guess my mind told me it was ok to smoke again. I have never understood why after easily quitting I had the urge to smoke again. As you say a strange world sometimes.

[FordyP 3 Years Smoke Free]

Tracey3 , Hidden , Abuelajeannie these are three great posts/replies. Like most things in life, giving up smoking is definitely largely a mind thing. I think that is why this forum is so helpful - it keeps our minds strong and gives us the support to maintain the right mental attitude

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Afternoon Tracey3 Great post! Definitely mindset is the MOST powerful tool in our quits.

When I put out my last cigarette on 3:15am on 17 September 2015, I lay in bed after the coughing had eased and the best ever voice in my head said loud and clear 'I will never smoke again'. Thankfully, that voice is still there, loud and clear

[Harkut 1 Year Smoke Free]

Wow a very strong man you have! Thanks for the story!

[Nozmo Valued Contributor]

Great story Tracey, thanks for sharing. It must have really affected him to have just quit like that. We all know what smoking can do but it's not until we see things like poor Frank's situation that it really hits home.

[Lucy1255 2 Years Smoke Free]

Thank you for sharing Tracey powerful words