In hospital with my sister, her gallbladder ruptured....
I'm worried about her and sitting by her, but I'm having a full blown anxiety attack, I can't breathe, taking short shallow breaths, I want to cry so bad.... I can't do ERs after Iraq..... My hand keeps shaking Like tom hanks hand in saving private Ryan...... I just want to go home or leave. But I gotta stay strong for her. I keep telling my self it's ok it's just a hospital but I'm freaking out.
I gotta be strong for her.
Doctor patted me on my shoulder I think he knows I keep looking at the floor.
Stay Strong ! Army Strong !
Try to think of something positive - you are strong !
Use the 4 "D"'s
Delay / Distract / Drink Water / Deep Breath
Think about the 2 "R"'s
Remind - think about the reasons why you quit (Health, saving money, smell better, freedom from being controlled by cigs, etc)
Refuse - think that it's not that you CAN'T have a cig, it's that you have choosen not to smoke anymore (CAN'T - the cig's gave you a Constant And Never ending Tantrum and Made you continue to feed the adiction but now you are in CONTROL)
From one vet to another - You got this !
Smoking right now will not help ! Think about this - if smoking helped why do people chain smoke in these situations?
Smoking does not:
Does Not provide relaxation
Does Not remove stress
Does Not eliminate anxiety
Does Not relieve boredom
Does Not provide pleasure
Does Not give - only takes, takes our health, money, and makes us stink.
I hope this helps 
Aup Armyguy, rite pal, for one thing ya got ta stay with your sis she needs you
Cos your a man, dosnt mean you cant cry 
My advice is to get outside or go to the loo and flippin CRYYYYYY man, CRYYYYYY Crying is a natural stress buster we have soooo, use it
Armyguy, keep taking deeeeeep and slow breaths, slowwwwww dowwwwwwwn a bit eh your sis is in the best ever place to help her and you remember that eh Like you say, its just a hospital full of doctors and nurses that know what their doing and they are their to help your sis
I see Debpenn has replyed to you with excellent advice and help
Take care now and I hope your sis gets better soon Please keep us informed
Close your eyes, and focus only on your breathing, slowly in through your nose..hold for a few seconds slowly out through your mouth. Listen to how your breath sounds...let your mind wander to a place that fills you with peace and comfort. Keep breathing..slow deep breaths you can do this.
I am praying for you and your sister for comfort, calm and peace, may Jesus place his healing hands on you both and fill you with the love and joy that he has for each of you.
Keep close to the site and vent your feelings if you need to. It's OK to cry, it's a natural release, let it out, and you'll feel better.
your quit family is here for you!! Just keep breathing!!
I can't think of more to add to the previous two replies army guy other than really feel for you and what your going through with your sister, sending big cyber hugs for you both xx
whoops 3 replies, spent so long trying to think of something more comforting to say but not quite managing it but saw Carissa had got in with some excellent advice whilst I dithered
Prayer has been a major contributor with my success so far and often brings me great comfort..sure I struggle with the cravings..I just offered what I've been doing to help me through when I get anxious, hopefully someone else can benefit.
I notice when i really focus on my breathing, and breath deep actually using my diaphragm muscle, it was quite tricky to learn how to breathe that why but when i used to be in musicals and compete with song you breath deeper and better and feeling my muscles move i lose focus on everything by my breathing almost like a meditative state.
Concentrating on your breathing is a big part of mindfulness meditation and I first learnt to breathe into my diaphragm in yoga (many years ago and only rarely, these days I'm more of a weekly pilates kinda of women :))
3 min emergency mediations have certainly helped me these last few weeks in times of cravings, and a practice I would highly recommend to anyone/everyone
Thanks you all, we made it out.... She is staying over night and my mom is there with her, I went and got her kids off the bus. Long day, just wanna put my face in a pillow and let go. Gotta be strong for these kids..... I haven't smoked, been thru 5 things of tic tacs
We all seem to be stronger than we think, you included. Let her kids be a distraction for you for a bit. Tic Tacs! i have 3 different flavors in my purse, some in my desk at work, and all over my current (hopefully soon to be not current) home!
keep breathing...sip on water...so glad to hear your sister is on the road to recovery! Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
stay close to this site too
Is this the sis that gave up smoking?? Coz if it is she won't thank you for using her as an excuse for getting back on the habit...... In fact if she's anything like my sis, I'd be more likely to get a clip round the ear 😟😊
Proud of you . Your stronger than you think, try and relax now , your sis is in good hands as well as her children x
Ahhh AAG, flippin eck you are going through it at the moment.
You know your sis is in good hands, your job is to be there to support your sis....now no where does it say you have to be strong, the fact you are there with sis is great for her. Your sis knows what your going through and will appreciate this so be yourself.
The docs and nurses went to school for years, are fully trained and this is their job. If your anxious talk to the doc to get reassurance from them re sis and explain that you have PTSD they will also understand.
I don't know if your religious or whether they have some sort of chapel at the hospital. You may get a sense of calmness from visiting it, a place for quiet reflection where you can regulate your breathing.
Smoking won't help you... In fact it will make you more anxious as you will have to leave the hospital to smoke!! Trust me on this I was where you are with roles reversed 6 months ago!
Go get a decaf coffee as the caffeine may enhance your anxiety . Hugs and prayers heading your way for you and your sis 🙏 Xxoo
Thanks... Their dad came and picked them up.... I'm in my bed right now under a pile of blankets cryin.... I feel silly but I almost lost it..... I feel dumb for it..... Thanks you all alot I mean that. I keep going and going and going on here and I apologize...... Long day, calling to check on my sister.
There is nothing wrong with crying..... I can cry at the opening of an envelope 😱😊
Nothing like getting into your bed when you've had a really testing day BUT you are not silly and you are not Dumb..... Your a caring human being and don't EVER apologise for that or for coming on here....
We are a support family and we will support anyone, regardless of what they are going through and even if it's not smoking related. If you want to come on here and post every five minutes then so be it... Whatever gets you through your day hun 😊
Hoping your sis is ok..... Have they removed the gall bladder??
don't you dare apologize!! Crying is a natural release! let it all out as long as it takes! release that pent up energy, my first 3 days i cried until i was so exhausted i could hardly move...which helped me sleep.
it's a natural release embrace it, breath through it, sending you hugs and extra soft blankets to wrap up in.
give yourself a break, you made it through, you're so strong you don't need cigs bringing you back down.
you got this!! I'm here for ya!
They are making sure that's what's wrong with her.... My mom said she is sleeping right now and asked how I was, being the only one around I had to confront the hospital and my mom is a RN nurse so she knew that was a trigger and told me how good of a job I did, and not only that going in to the ER sitting with her the entire time. I'm just beat.... Wanna sleep so bad....... Too much for one day.... I just hate my anxiety isissues. Thinking about throwing in the towel and going on meds.... I been doing this on no meds..... Just burnt out......
Paxil.....
See your stronger than you think...... Even your mum says you did a good job so don't give yourself such a hard time. Are you keeping a diary of any sort? If not it may help you 😊👍
wow - just been reading all the posts - my heart goes out to you American Guy - You have done brilliantly and feel very proud of yourself
My heart just melts seeing all the support ..just about in tears myself reading it all.. We sure have such a special group of caring members that I feel privileged to be part of 💚💙💖
You are one very brave man you let them tears fall scream shout if you want too .if you feel meds will help you then go to your gp and ask for help no shame in anything you have said ,keeping going and hold your head up high xx
I'm just wore out.... Only 7 but I wanna sleep for days. Thank you everyone, I really really mean it.
Please HELP
The thing is, I'm not free !!
Hi All! I'm Jaz from New York 
Hello All You Lovely Non-Smokers
I feel I'm about to crack 😱
