Gaylene's Cancer Journal
Tuesday May 1, 2007
Gaylene is a moderator for our support forum here at About.com Smoking Cessation. Recently, she was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, and true to her caring nature, she's determined to use her cancer to help others.Through her cancer journal, Gaylene will share this personal journey with the hope that if you are reading it as a nonsmoker, you'll never light up that first cigarette, and if you do smoke, you'll find the courage to quit.
From Gaylene:
- "I smoked for over 30 years, never dreaming what I was doing to my health. Fifteen years ago I'd have told anyone, "I'm in perfect health". I walked at least 4 miles a day, kept up with my boys while climbing mountains, didn't take a single medication, had endless energy, never got sick. THEN I started developing a cough which worsened...next a shortness of breath."
Comments
I just quit last evening and am really having weird feelings, is this normal? Also I have smoked for 16 years out of the 30 that I am alive now….how bad is that for cancer risk?
Brian, I just quit with a friend of mine one before you. What you are experiencing are withdrawl symptoms from the nicotine; I strongly suggest to do some online research which will outline what you’re experiencing and what to do alleviate them. Know I am right there with you (I’m 36 and I’ve been smoking since I was 18); so keep the faith that you can do this! And, take it one day at a time! Karen
I have quit with the smoking pill. I have seen several loved ones die from cigarettes, either directly or indirectly. Quitting had always been hard. I started again after losing my infant son. Really, now I find that I use cigarettes for comfort. This time quitting has been welcomed. I have bronchitus, and tell myself that I’d rather breathe than smoke. But it is hard to lose the best crutch. I’m just trying to find new ways to deal with anger, and frustration.
I quit 6 months ago following an ambulance trip to the hospital because I couldn’t breathe. I had smoked for over 50 yrs without one day off in all those years. If I could do it anybody can. I LOVED my cigarettes!! Now I have shortness of breath and have to rely on medications (nebulizer, inhalers) to help me breathe and it’s not a lot of fun. Wish I had never lit up the 1st one.