Declare Your Independence From Tobacco
In the United States, July 4th is a day that celebrates independence and freedom. It's also a meaningful day to begin your quit program, putting an end to the slavery of nicotine addiction, once and for all. Today, I'd like to share a 4th of July message from a reader that puts quitting tobacco in perspective.
From Joe:
- "July 24th, 2007 will be forever etched in my mind as a turning point in my life; I had a stroke.
"It began as an uncomfortable feeling in my left arm that spread to numbness on the left side of my jaw. It got progressively worse, so off to the hospital I went.
"My blood pressure was through the roof and the left side of my body was "heavy". The doctor ordered an MRI and the results prooved that a stroke had occured. I was under watch at the hospital for the next 24 hrs to see how much damage had been done.
"I vowed never to smoke a cigarette again and quit, then and there.
"All smokers delude themselves into believing that nothing will happen to them, but I could not do this any longer. I had a stroke.
"The evidence could not be ignored: Smoking was killing me.
"I was extremely fortunate to recover the feeling and function on my left side fairly quickly. I never had the urge to smoke after that night. I prayed that God would help me deal with the cravings I was sure were coming, but they never did. I know the stroke was my warning. I also believe that God had a hand in stopping my addiction. I had smoked 2 packs a day for 30 years.
"Today is the 4th of July. In 20 days, it will be a year since the stroke occured. It will also be my one year anniversary of quitting smoking. I am sorry that it took a stroke to motivate me to quit, but I am so glad I did.
"Please, don't let a life-changing event be the catalyst for you to snuff out the smokes, like it was for me . Quit before it comes to that!"
- How a Stroke Changed My Life - Paul's Quit Story
Comments
I smoked for 35 yrs .I have been quit now for 3 yrs this past March.I am sorry it took a stroke to make you quit. It was my mother’s heart surgery and stroke that made me a quitter. She herself had not smoked but I saw a glimpse of what I could be going through at some point. It was scary to say the least.I only wish I could convince my 2 sisters to quit.Good luck to you for a full recovery .My mom did not and spent the finale 2 yrs in a nursing home fed through a stomach tube and unable to talk or get out of bed.All that and she was a non smoker.