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I stopped when I had the ULL surgery but with so much stress and under so much pain I am thinking of starting again. At least I won't be so stressed out. Does anyone still smoke that has had the surgery??
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Anyone still smoking
- By nheepdanes
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 4:52 pm · 52 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage I
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Surgery Leukemia Alli Emphysema Chantix Breast cancer Anxiety Pneumonia Chemotherapy Pain Bronchitis Lung cancer Stress
52 replies
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- Newest first
- By kentmere
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 5:26 pm
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Only 5% of people are lucky (if you can call it luck) to be stage 1 please dont start smoking again you have been given a second chance at life ,And smoking does,nt relieve stress it creates it .I was stage 1 and will never smoke again ,it would be like a kick in the teeth for all those who helped me live .Take up some form of excersice ,or a hobby and thank god you were stage 1 A lot of people on this site would love to be in your shoes Good luck hope you change your mind xxxxxx
- By teacherN
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 5:45 pm
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Maybe atavan can take the edge off when you are super stressed??? Exercise, music, play time fun of some kind will help too. But give yourself every chance to LIVE. We with 1a are so fortunate to have been able to have surgery and a chance at survival.
Hugs and encouragement!
Nancy
- By cards7up
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 6:01 pm
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There are definitely other ways to deal with stress and going back to smoking isn't one of them. Don't you think, you'd worry about finding more cancer if you did? How much stress would that be? Stop thinking about it so much and get some professional help so that you don't go back there. Take care, JC
- By AliceL
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 6:21 pm
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I quit when I had my first "early stage" dx in 1998 -- everyone who has posted is absolutely right -- DON'T give in to a moment of weakness/stress and start again. If you were lucky enough to have surgery, you don't want to damage what is left of your lungs by smoking again. I know stress is what kept most of us from quitting in the first place -- but if you've managed to quit, you will be so mad at yourself later for giving in and it will be even harder to quit next time. Please hang in there.
- By brooklynda
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 6:27 pm
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Please don't do it! It may not have been the cause of your cancer but you do know that it's certainly not going to help anything! Especially when you say "thinking about going back" - which means you haven't started again yet.
There are other ways to cope with stress and they don't entail harming yourself.
If you have started up again you might consider getting a prescription for Chantix or one of the other drugs that can help wean yourself off.
Hopefully, you won't do something that will be so detrimental to your health.
Blessings!
Brooklynda
- By texaszan
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 6:55 pm
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As someone whose husband just went though the last stage of lung cancer, let me assure you, the stress you feel now is NOTHING compared to the stress of late stage cancer. Nicotine has been shown to make lung cancer more aggressive so it would be like throwing gasoline on a fire.
- By Marylou1
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T DO IT.
- By easterbaby
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 8:41 pm
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I have read where smokers have said that nicotine addiction is worse than heroin addiction. I understand it is tough especially with so much stress. Look for other stress releasers. Sometimes even with meds to help you quit there is just the cycle of hand to mouth that needs to break. Have lollipops, tootsie pops/celery stick or something to poke in your mouth when the urge comes.
Stay strong for your sake. You can do it.
- By Munker
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 9:28 pm
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WOW. I don't get it. My surgery was hell and the idea of suffering more because of a friggin cigarette is incomprehensible! Take a tranquilizer, exercise and make your lungs stronger but please do not give in!
- By lucy56
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 10:45 pm
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Please don't do it your health is more important than a smoke.
- By HollyJo
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 11:17 pm
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If you cant do it for yourself, do it for All the Wonderful People on this site with Lung Cancer, as lets face it, we are fighting to remove the stigma that Lung Cancer victims deserve it because "They Smoked".
If you Smoke, you will Become that Stigma, and you nor no one else here deserves that. Try everything you have to, but please dont smoke.
Holly
- By tiffmomiff
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 11:59 pm
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i have to be honest in asking, why have you fought so hard to save your life only to put in danger again by smoking?????
sincerely,
wife of a husband with stage IV lung cancer
- By mawoni
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 7:07 am
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Don't do it! Every reason already stated above, PLUS imagine having to try to quit again without the "distraction" of surgery and pain! And if you've ever quit cold turkey before, you know what I'm talking about. Talk about stress!
Hang tough .... Deb
- By snowflower
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 7:30 am
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Don't be foolish. You do not need those cigarettes. They were your enemy. Remember the faces of the people who stood over/by you when you told them that you have LC...Remember the sadness in those faces as they took care of you when you had surgery. Don't dissappoint yourself or them. Be a strong woman with an objective...your objective being to make yourself physically and mentally everything that is good that your were meant to be and to heal yourself with physical fitness, high nutrition and every resource around you that makes you healthy and happy. Be a winner!
- By madwife
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 7:48 am
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Try going to a qualified psychologist who uses hypnosis or a MD that does. It works, but do stop now. With NSCLC you at least have a chance.
- By snowflower
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 7:49 am
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Be the Master and not the Slave. I have confidence that you will never smoke another cigarette because you did come to this board to pose the question "Anyone Still Smoking". You really know, especially now, that you have suffered so much that smoking was not good for you and is, now, a thing of the past. You have a strong desire to live a healthier life to bring joy to those around you. My prayer for you is that you will make the right choices and be a long time survivor....Viki
- By beckylynn
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 7:50 am
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My oldest sister is StageIV she did quit for awhile but I know she still has a few. I've caught her puffing them you can't really hide it, the smell is there. It breaks my heart she can't quit what is most likely a contributnig factor of what may have caused her lung cancer.
That being said I would think trying to do YOGA or something similar can help you win over the addiction. Why not sign up for some yoga classes and see.
Lastly, There's a book at the library NO MORE EXCUSES by Wayne Dyer. He talks about how we can train our minds to help us acheive our goals. The mind is a very powerful organ. We allow excuses to stand in our way of reaching our goals. See if your library has the book and if his teaching might help you win over this addition. I myself have a weight issue I struggle with. I try to eat better but I am addicted to sweets and things and when I'm stressed that is the first thing I reach for. I am reading his book as well to help me with my own addiction.
Becky :)
- By KarenOt
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 8:12 am
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I started smoking 9 weeks after my URL lobectomy. I had begun smoking again because of stress. I smoked for about 5 months, before quitting again. During those 5 months I quickly developed a cronic cough. I got a cold that lasted 9 weeks!!
I've been smoke free for 14 months now, and don't plan on starting again ever!!! Yes it is still hard every day! I am around other family members that still smoke, and I have to endure the smoke when I visit my parents.
If you have not started smoking again, I would advise against it. I never felt so pathetic and disgusted with myself for smoking as I did during those five months I smoked after my surgery. I hated myself every time I lit up a cigarette. I slowly cut back on the number of cigarettes I was smoking each day. When I got to three a day, I quit completely.
Good luck with your struggle. Cough drops worked for me. When I had the urge for a cigarette, I reached for a cough drop instead. I also used my Volumetric-Incentive Spirometer to exercise my lungs when I had the urge.
Take Care, Karen
- By Louie-H
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 8:26 am
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Please don't do it. It is definitely not worth a puff or two versus your life. I quit 8 years years ago cold turkey. Not easy but is done, it really is a mind over matter situation and it REALLY DOES get better and better as time goes on. Also try not to think about wanting one. O.K.?
Louie
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