It can be done....

[spike99]

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Was at my seasonal camp site on the weekend. During community camp fire (Saturday night), I met an older gentleman sitting beside me. He was the father to the lady who has a camper 3 postions down from ours. He stopped in for 1 night sleep over - before driving over to his other daughter's place. The older guy reminded me of my grand father - who passed away when I was age 8.

Anyway.... We started chatting about how expensive smoking is "today" and why each of us did quit. I quit almost 7 months ago and he quit in 1977. Yes, back in 1977 - when a pack of smokes was under $1.00. He explained that he smoked for over 30 years - before he finally said "no - no more for me". Today, he's in his mid / late 70s. Today, he can walk normally, talk normally, no side effects from smoking (possibly due to 30 years for his body to recover from it) and he can still make others laugh. A "happy go lucky" older guy who easily earns one's trust / admiration many times over. When I reflect back in my life today, theres' many folks who didn't make it into their 70s. Or, if they did, they had health problems from their smoking. Like my mom - who had her teeth removed at age 39 (due to side effects of smoking) and she died at age 62 (from cancer). Like my father-in-law who had a stroke at age 63, and has been in his wheel chair for the last 7 years. And my friend who just retired from our office, and and now needs a triple bi-pass - most likely due to his smoking for over 45 years.

As you can tell, that older gentleman had a positive influence on my life. If I remain an ex-smoker (which I plan to anyway), I too will increase my odds to reach my retirement years. Get to reach my mid/late 70s without health problems from smoking. After all, he proved "it can be done". Just have to pace yourself and enjoy life...

Sorry to mumble on. Especially if you have current health problems from smoking. Just wanted to emphasis to today's smokers that "one can quit smoking to better their life". I proved it (quit date was 7 months ago) and he proved it (his quit date was back in 1977). And the weird thing is, his wife continued to smoke and she passed away (from cancer) at age 58. She didn't even make it too her retirement years.

Hope this helps others. Especially for the folks who are seriously thinking of "butting out" TODAY. As they say, it all starts by saying "NO more. I want to allow my body to live...".

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[morningstar]

All true Spike. I hope some of the smokers out there take heed of your warning. I like you know doubt know there are still many on the forums that are still smoking. I know one for sure because when we talked by phone I could hear them lighting up.
Thanks Spike,

[spike99]

Just posted the below on a different forum. Hope this helps others on this forum as well...

re: The Question of: How many people are still smoking?

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I quit 7 months ago (on Dec 4, 2006). Since my final:
- I don't wheeze at night anymore.
- I have more physical energy during the day.
- I can run up the stairs (to rush to answer a phone or come to my kid's crying need) without panting for air at the top of the stairs. Picture a fish on land gulping its air. That's what I looked like after running up 1 floor of stairs. Not, I can "run up" 5 set of stairs before needing to stop. For a person of my age and gut size, this is a major improvement.
- I shake a cold within 3-5 days. It no longer turns into walking pnemonia or some other type of chest infection.
- I can ride my peddle bike "much" longer. Last long trip was 4 hours and when I got home, I had enough remaining lungs to play a game of 21 basket ball with my 12 year old son.
- I've saved tons of dollars. I'd gues my direct and indirect savings is now $400/month. Yes, that much. So much savings, we bought a car replacement and bought my wife a 29ft Travel Trailer (with my saved monthly dollars).
- I no longer smell. Folks no longer look at me when I walk past them on a sidewalk. And if wondering, I can now smell a smoker who now walks by me. That smoker really does smell terrible.
- My kids don't pull-away when I hug them for over 10 seconds (due to previous ugly smell).
- My lungs are no longer in "pain". When I smoked, it felt like someone was sticking a knife in my inner lung area and "slowly twisting it". Today (on average), no inner lung pain. Yes, some pain on "strain one's lungs days" (like in extreme heat or around smokey camp fire moments) but as a general statement, my lungs are no longer in daily pain. This was the main reason I quit smoking 7 months ago. My lungs were too painful - when I smoked. I know, lungs don't hurt. But I can tell you from personal experience, my lungs were in extreme pain when I smoked. They hurt and their pain slowly went down each day I do NOT smoke. Today, near zero pain levels. And in 1+ years from today, I'm hoping no lung pain at all. Even on camp fire days. That's my main goal.

For me, it was either "be alive" in the near future or continue to smoke. Which path to take??? For me, I want to live on top of the ground - not under it. Quit cold turkey!!!!

For all of you who did stop smoking, "way to GO!". I know it isn't easy. Some days are an emotional challenge but from one ex-smoker to another, way to go!!!. Way to GO!!!

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[LindaNY]

What a great post. Thank you Spike.

I quit after 49 years two years and 4 months ago.