Genevieve, Just wait until you see how happy it makes a loved one (Dad) when another loved one's (Mom) breathing capacity is rapidly deteriorating. Granted she stopped years ago but in trying to diagnose they keep returning to smoking..."how long did you smoke"?, "when did you stop"?, "how much did you smoke"? The doctors (probably Dad has taken her to at least 10) have been trying to diagnose her for over a year now. He is so happy that I have quit. The doctors scramble, Dad and Mom forge on in frustration, and I offer my ray of sunshine with what I can contribute. Sometimes it takes circumstances not being their rosiest for your quitting to be appreciated as it should. Audrey [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/16/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 76 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,532 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $212.8 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 53 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

Genevieve, Glad to hear you're hanging in there. I think the reason we don't get a lot of support or interest in our quit attempts is because people who have never smoked haven't a clue how tough this. I also truly believe the smokers in our lives would like to see us fail because they have not yet made the commitment to stop smoking. That's why I was thrilled to find this site, we are all at different points in our quits, however, we are all in this together. So if you're looking for support, post here and we'll provide it. Dupe [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 339 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $70.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

Gen, We all want to secretly succeed! This is great and you must keep this positivity around you :) Thanks for sharing and know that no one quit is the same, this is how we learn. Josie _____________________ The SSC Support Team.

Genevieve, you can make it!! I had very similar experiences. This was such a big deal for me, life changing, frustrating and all-consuming. I try not to mention it too much, no one really seems to care, except me. I was on day 19, can't believe I made it, and my husband turns to me in the car and says: "so, you're still not smoking?". I didn't hit him, which I thought was generous, but I couldn't believe he asked. This had consumed my life for the past 19 days, and we spend a lot of time together. I guess after other failed attempts, I'm the only one that knows, this is the last time; I'm a non-smoker. It's day by day, slow but sure, and everyday I wake up and another day has passed, I'm closer to winning! I still doubt myself and am dealing with cravings (certain times/places), but Im going to do it; not to spite them, but in-spite of them! Enjoy the gardening and smell of the flowers! Stacey [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 339 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $93.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

I lost a good friend too. The good thing was it was there for me anytime I needed it and it never let me down. The bad thing was it was killing me. It's time to let go and face the world without the mask. This is the best thing you can do for yourself and you should be very proud of yourself. Who cares what other think of your quit. What matters is what you think. You and only you can get through this. The good thing is that you have this site to come to and it is what helped me stay quit for this long. All of us here really do know what you are going through and know just how hard it is. So come here when you need a pat on the backor a shoulder to cry on. Come here just to read if you don't feel like talking. You may find the inspiration you need to keep going if you are having a rough day or rough hour for that matter. Please remember it does get easier but you must live by the motto of NOPE. Smoking can no longer be an option for you so don't even think about it. Stay tough - Stay Quit. D2Q [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/29/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 308 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,172 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $924 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 29 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 53 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

:confuse: The thing is this. Am on day 5 now. Never thought I'd make it. Have spent the time in this wierd dazed state, writing posts for this site, roving around the site trying to get reponses. One day I did get some but I can't find them any more. They were very nice and positive from 2 people especially. At first I didn't really want to tell anyone about my deciding to quit and that was why I was pleased to find this site - especialy when an attempt to get in touch with a local counselling group failed. Then, with frustration rising and my feeling of isolation growing, I began to mention to some people who I thought might care that I had given up only to be met with little or no response. This morning I asked my daughter (who lives with me) if she had noticed I'd stopped smoking and she said 'Oh no.... Well I've not been here over the weekend'. I pointed out that I'd actually virtually stopped last Monday but completely since Wednesday. Anyway she said I had no chance succeeding if I chose to go 'cold turkey' and that I would NEED the patches. I told my Mother last week and she didn't respond at all. She's always hated me (and anyone else)smoking cos she never has. I thought she'd be thrilled. Do you think people don't respond because they secretly think that you'll not manage it. Or maybe it is just that they don't realise what a big thing it is to have made the decision and done it. Maybe some people didn't even notice that you smoked.... I said in one of my previous postings that it was like losing a lover and was rebuked by one person who responded for using that term but that is what it's like for me. I had a really strange smoking pattern. Not a matter of lighting up as soon as I awoke and smoking all day. i could make myself wait till 11.30 or so and have two or three then go maybe all day till 4 or so and have about 5 or 6 in quick succession. Then one around 8.30 but around 10 I would have another burst of 6 or so. I called myself a cluster smoker. Because of this I don't know how much I was/am addicted to the nicotine or if it was the habit/boredom/relaxation elements that drove me because now I seem to be able to go for longer and longer period without thinking about it but then I suddenly get this kick in the stomach sick feeling