Smoking cessation

[markiver54]

Since you have been our Huckleberry for a while now its time for us to be youre Huckleberry Mark

Thank you Al! I hope to continue.
A bit of humor along the way is a good thing too. Can't say enough positive things about my friends here, and of course Dave who makes it all possible!

[BigAl52]

Well if there is a vote takin on youre avatar I vote it stays its a classic and I would miss it. Its a reminder of a great movie.

[markiver54]

Well if there is a vote takin on youre avatar I vote it stays its a classic and I would miss it. Its a reminder of a great movie.

Thanks All! Have always liked yours as well...Clint is " The Man ". Don't actually think I will part with mine.

[Old Syko]

VERY inspiring Bob and glad you are a survivor. Your time to input all this information is very much appreciated and I WILL reference it along the way if I feel weak. Along with the input and support of everyone else here who have jumped in to help....how could I fail? fingers are crossed as I work toward week 2 of the meds, at which time, it all stops!
Thank you again!, and everyone else. Will report my progress along the way.

PT7 brings up some very good points, one of which is that nicotine addiction is short lived which is true and that is all the drugs deal with. The problem is all the physical actions that go along with smoking. I haven't smoked in well over 25 years yet I still catch myself sticking a pen or pencil in my mouth between 2 fingers as though it was a cigarette. You can't make this silliness up.

You may have a rough row to hoe with the wife smoking but whatever you do don't push her to stop. This will do you more harm than you may be able to handle. In my post above of my own experience, that is why I left the opened pack with the lighter on the coffee table for so long. Don't try to distance yourself from this habit just make up your mind you're going to overcome it within your surroundings. Hope that makes sense to ya. You can only change you. You can't change those around you.

Again, Good Luck Brother!

[Old Syko]

BTW as to the avatar, you chose that in the beginning for a reason just as I chose mine. Don't give it up.

[markiver54]

BTW as to the avatar, you chose that in the beginning for a reason just as I chose mine. Don't give it up.

Thank you OS for all of your input.☺

[cooperhawk]

I quit smoking about twenty years ago. I tried to quit while I was still working but my Wife advised me to wait
until I was out of the high stress job because I got so irritable when I tried.
The cigarette was an old friend. You could light up and enjoy one anytime when you felt stressed
or down. It was accepted and on the Air Control positions there were ash trays and cup holders. We smoked and
drank coffee all through the shift. Then I retired and my younger brother died of cancer, and I called it quits.

Here's the way it works. I have gone out in a blizzard to get cigarettes. I have gone out after mid night if I ran
out. Why did I do that, well there's a good reason.
Everyone knows that if you run out and have to go without, you will DIE! Life simply cannot go on. You simply
have to have one with coffee in the morning. Can't do without that. Gotta have one after a good meal, or after
sex, or......It's a pleasant ritual.

Well, of course you will not die. It's how the drug works on your mind. It causes panic if you don't have it.
It's an old friend that needs you just as much as you need it. It can be the only pleasure in life.

When I quit I had to keep reminding myself about that. You just have to be smarter than the drug.

Of course if I am told I have a month to live, I'm going to get a carton Pall Malls.

[markiver54]

I certainly can relate Coop! I know what you're saying.
Smoking part of one right now, however, only half as many as yesterday. That is what the Chantix allows for the first week.
I know ultimately, most of it is up to me though!

[ESquared]

What's important is that you've made up your mind, you're on a program that has proven successful for many people and it involves medical technology that wasn't available when many of us quit "back in the day," whether is was with Nicorette gum or patches or sheer will power. You've just got extra help, which will make the transition SO much easier.
Good advice on letting your wife figure it out on her own. Maybe she'll see your success, start to do the math and decide that it's the right path for her, too!
Sending good mojo to you, Mark!

[Rifletom]

Markiver54. You will WIN! The Henry clan is 100% behind you. We'll be talkin'. A lot.

[markiver54]

What's important is that you've made up your mind, you're on a program that has proven successful for many people and it involves medical technology that wasn't available when many of us quit "back in the day," whether is was with Nicorette gum or patches or sheer will power. You've just got extra help, which will make the transition SO much easier.
Good advice on letting your wife figure it out on her own. Maybe she'll see your success, start to do the math and decide that it's the right path for her, too!
Sending good mojo to you, Mark!

Definitely feeling the mojo Evan...thank you so much. In my situation, which you personally are aware of, should help regarding the senses and personal interaction with the " wife "...you know what I mean.

[markiver54]

Markiver54. You will WIN! The Henry clan is 100% behind you. We'll be talkin'. A lot.

Thank you Tom! What more could a man ask for than to have a caring clan behind him.

[markiver54]

Making progress was smoking two plus packs a day . Started my meds Friday morning and now, already down to one. This coming Friday hopefully I will be able to put them down completely per instructions.
Have had no symptoms of worsening DVT to this point either. On the other note; regarding back surgery, consultation and scheduling of back surgery is August 6.

[JEBar]

good luck with both .... you are doing well at making the first happen and I have no doubt your doctors will do their best to take care of the second

[BigAl52]

Atta boy keep it up you can do it.

[RanchRoper]

Tack those cigarettes on a target board and show 'em who's boss....bet they shred real good.

[markiver54]

Tack those cigarettes on a target board and show 'em who's boss....bet they shred real good.

Great idea if there are any leftovers come Friday!

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Wow, 8 pages. I only read the first and last.

Smoked half pack a day in the early years. One day I went swimming. Hadn't been in a good while and after a short swim, I was losing my breath. I was dumbfounded. Had to think about what was going on, then it hit me. Ah, ha. These things have got to go. I used the discipline method. Just started dropping from 10 to 9 to 8 a day, dropping 1 about every 3 or 4 weeks. Once I got to 2 or 3, it was easy. Didn't need them any more. Soon after I commented on my suppers. Wow, what a good supper that was. Then another. And another. Hey, I got my taste buds back, lol. This was 44 Years ago. I'm thankful every time I think about it. My pocket likes it too, lol. When I quit, they were only about 50 Cents a Pack back then.

Whoever wants to quit, good luck with your efforts and pick whatever works for you.

[markiver54]

Even though I have not quit completely yet, I could smell my coffee brewing this morning! I know it sounds crazy, but it's been a long time since I could.☺

[PT7]

This isn't quitting the same product, Mike. But I've cut out drinking my all-time, life-time favorite soft drink. I really, really like the Real Thing --> Classic Coke. The main reason was to cut down on the sugar intake, because I was drinking a bottle (at least, usually more) per day. Well, from my previous physical exam six months ago to the just recently-taken physical exam, I dropped 13 pounds! Close to having to punch some holes in my belt, or get a new one.

You said you "could smell your coffee brewing this morning!" Other foods and drinks will continue to taste better & better. You'll enjoy the culinary pursuit more w/out cigarettes stifling all that good stuff.

Interesting what happened to my "quitting" routine last week. My daughter offered me a Coke in one of those 7.5 oz. cans. Doesn't help much when there is another Coke drinker in the house. Anyway, I thought, oh well, that teeny-tiny can isn't too much. It tasted absolutely awful! That told me I've successfully quit that drink.

Definitely believe you will "do it," too. Quitting will reap some benefits.
PT7