My life as a smoker
I was 11 years old when I began the addiction of smoking. I had a friend at a sleep over who started me on that road of slavery.
My dad smoked and I would steal cigarettes from him until he finally caught me. He made me smoke a cigar thinking it would cure me, but it didn't. I enjoyed the cigar.
I went through school bumming cigarettes wherever I could and by the time I was in college, I had a two pack-a-day habit. I've had pneumonia and bronchitis every year for a long time.
When I got married, I married a smoker. Thinking I was in bliss, my smoking habit went up to three packs-a-day. My voice began to lower and I could never be without a cigarette. I was addicted.
Why and how I quit smoking
I will NEVER smoke again. I asked my Lord, Jesus Christ to help me become smoke-free and from the moment I made the choice to quit and ask for help, He was there every time I had a craving. I would pray and He would remove it.
It has been two years since I quit, and I feel like I never smoked. I cannot stand the smell of cigarettes anymore. My husband still smokes, but he smokes outside. Even so, I still can’t stand the way he smells.
I had a massive brain tumor in 2008 and the anesthesiologist had a difficult time getting the breathing tube down my trachea because it was restricted from 40 years of smoking. That was the day I gave cigarettes up. Since then I’ve had two surgeries in 2009 and the good Lord chose to heal me of all, the tumor and the restriction. I am grateful.
Advice
- I learned to not be so hard on myself.
- I tried to quit 10 times before finally giving it to the Lord to take care of.
- I finally smell good. Food tastes wonderful too. I gained 20 pounds and it was the most wonderful 20 pounds ever.
- I've begun an exercise program and can finally breathe easy when I walk upstairs, where before I could hardly catch my breath.
- My doctor said that the emphysema that showed up on my chest x-ray is clean now.
Terry Martin, Smoking Cessation Guide, says:
Congratulations on two wonderful smoke-free years, Sandy. I can hear the ring of true freedom in your words! I know that your story will help others who are still smoking believe that they can quit too, just like you have.Enjoy every minute of your smoke-free life -- you have many benefits and rewards to look forward to as a result of quitting. Smoking cessation truly is a gift that keeps on giving.
