Thank you Denise for the heartfelt response moss [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/19/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 140 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,100 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $472.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 22 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40

Denise, thanks for your post, it is a keeper, sharing that will help many I know. hugs to you, I applaud your strength. Sue [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 339 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,390 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $593.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 33 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 44

WOW--how well written & what a heartfelt entry. Thanks so much for sharing with us so openly. Denise--for many of us this jouney to become smoke free will open old wounds that were surpressed by lighting up in many cases. Everyone copes differently, but as smokers many of our problems or hurts were quieted with our 'best-friend'. Not good, not bad--it just was. Of course, we all know they are/were not our best friend; but none the less were treated as such for so long. Utilzing this site and the vast experiences and coping skills that we can find here (by giving & caring people--like you)--will help SO many people who are desparately trying to beat this addiction. Thank You, Denise.....{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} Deb [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/1/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 36 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,080 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $243.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9

I'm not sure if I can put it into words, but I will try. I started smoking when I was 12; stole a pack a week from my Dad. When I started smoking, it was everywhere - grocery stores, restaurants, TV ads and billboards - accepted and really, PUSHED. We had bubblegum cigars and candy cigarettes...the hospitals allowed smoking by the staff AND THE PATIENTS. Anyway, my whole life was about smoking. Both parents smoked, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, everyone smoked. They smoked in the car (I shudder when I think of doing that to kids, now). And I smoked for 42 years. Last year when I went into depression, it was not really about quitting smoking so much as my life situation, but I've been battling depression most of my life, smoking or not, so I can't really say that quitting led to depression, just that I'd probably been self medicating with smoking, in an addict sort of way, for many years. I'm certain that quitting smoking was the last straw, but it was most definitely not the only straw. Addiction in and of itself accounts for a lot of straws, believe me. I do know that when I went back to smoking, it DID NOTHING TO CHANGE THE DEPRESSION, and in fact, I felt worse about myself for not being "strong" enough and beat myself up mentally for "failing". I did get treatment, and having been on Wellbutrin for about 6 months, I felt better, and I started making some changes in my life for the better. I changed jobs to one that was not so focused on smoking for patients and staff, I started exercising and lost about 10 lbs (now gained back, alas), and I started being more assertive in all aspects of my life. And then I quit, again. I was ready. This is something that quitters get accused of doing - changing. Yes, we do, we stop stuffing our emotions, we stop just taking things, and we speak up for ourselves. We never did that as smokers. Or perhaps I should say I never did, I obviously can't speak for all smokers. But I've seen enough threads with the same theme that I'm thinking a lot, if not all, quitters come to this stage. Somewhere in this stage, I started to think about myself more positively; that I deserved good things, that I am worth more than being a nicotine addict, that I deserve better than whatever bad thing is happening at the moment. I started to LIKE myself. I don't think I have ever liked myself before. Standing up for myself really changed something inside of me. And it really changes your perception of quitting when you think that you deserve it rather than that you are giving something up. You really can make yourself miserable or happy, depending on your attitude toward your quit. But depression is separate and distinct from a positive attitude. Depression is much more than just attitude and does need treatment, whether from alternative treatments or traditional medicine. I would not be where I am today without some form of treatment. And I would not be able to have the positive attitude toward my quit without the positive changes in my attitude toward myself. I do so hope this helps you, I do not feel you are nosy at all. I am happy to help, it's sort of "how I roll". [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/EggGold.jpg[/IMG] Hugs, Denise [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/9/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 88 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,760 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $440.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6

Hi N2 Denise, Have been going thru a bit this myself lately. I know you work in the psychology field so I appreciate your input. You stated that you lost a quit before. If I may ask, was it a depression issue that took you back to the smokes? Don't mean to be too nosy so only answer if you care to. I guess I'm trying to arm myself with all the knowledge i can get right now with this issue. In your posts you also seem to have a very good handle on your attitude for this quit. Can you pinpoint a reason for the difference between this quit and your previous attempts. You have been such a positive influence in the forums. I truly appreciate you being here. Thanks Moss [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/19/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 139 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,085 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $469.13 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 22 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

Hi there Denise, nice to hear you're doing so well. Aint nothing wrong with a bit of medication, but as far as experiences go - we can count on Stopping smoking as the funkiest ride ever ! Be strong Denise because that inner peace we all look for, it eventually arrives on our doorstep. We just have to decide when to let him / her in. great stats btw, awesome achievement. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1191 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 41,685 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $7,741.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 174 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13

I'm glad this got bumped, and I only barely remember writing it, but it serves as proof that this can happen to ANYONE. Getting treatment does not mean you are bad, or that something is wrong with you, or you're sick, or warped, or any other thing people think about "needing" medication. It's just a chemical reaction in the brain, and IT CAN BE REVERSED. I am living proof that LIFE IS GOOD! Not better, not tolerable, not just existing, but GOOD! Hurray for modern medicine, and all the alternative treatments there are today. Sure brought out the sun for me! [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/ParrotBeachSunset.jpg[/IMG] Hugs, Denise [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/9/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 87 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,740 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $435.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Thanks for the bump! Sylvie, Bilingual Health Educator

Blast from the past! Get well! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/22/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 803 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,454 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,416.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 149 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

Denise, I for one have certainly missed you and your animated encouragement :). Thanks for sharing what you are going through. It is definitely a journey and certainly not always an easy one. Great thing is you have picked yourself back up, gotten your second wind and rejoined the fight! Welcome back! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 334 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $71.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16