No smoking.
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thesnakeandiandthebutterfly 
Congrats! That's no easy feat. :yes:Enjoy your smoke-free lifestyle 🙂
Good for you Pam, it will only get easier now, with less awareness that you ever smoked. January 6, 2004 I stopped Cold Turkey, and never looked back. Keep fighting any urges for a cigarette, and don't give into the "Oh I will have just one" because it leads to two and then your hooked again. Your going to feel better, each day, with each deeper breath of fresh air. Stay the course :happy:
woo hoo way to goIts been 11 years now for me (as of the 16th of this month)
:coffee:
Yay! Congrats… You made it :DYou look great, Pam
Congrats :hat: :hat:
About 13 for me, and the doc says my heart and lungs are in great shape.
Yes … smoking calls cholesterol out into the bloodstream, presumably because of its stimulant qualities.Are you on a statin?
I was on a statin for a year. 40mg. Didn't like the symptoms I was having so, when I moved here, requested the new doc to lower it to 20mg. My cholesterol was lower so that was ok. She had me come back two months later for more blood work to make sure the change in statin wasn't affecting my liver. This cost me over $200 again. Even though nothing had changed, she decided to put me back to 40mg. I took them for several days and started getting the pains in the legs and swelling in the ankles again. I quit taking them completely. When I finish paying the bill for the first three visits this year, I'll go in again. MY insurance pays for nothing. I read a medical article that there is a rise in diabetes in people taking statins over a period of time.
Originally posted by intothedeep:
Thanks Mags. It actually was easy this time because I was NOT going to smoke around my granddaughter, in their house, nor outside in a blizzard. Sooo, I had no choice. Originally posted by kentsopera:
Kent, that's what got me into trouble after not smoking for 28 or more years. While attending the university, I was hanging around with lots of artists and found myself bumming one because they all smoked. Pretty soon I was buying them.Thank you Clance, Kimberly and L.D. The photo is actually from about five or more years ago. My daughters wanted to dress me like I was in a gang, then told me to do a gang sign. ???? I had no idea what gang signs there were so just did a thumbs up. Almost deleted this photo back then. Didn't like it but now am glad I kept it.Mit and dW: Thanks. The last chest x-ray I got (a year ago right after I moved here) showed my lungs were fine. I'm assuming that's a good thing. Not sure but I'm wondering if this will aid in lowering my cholesterol? I've been walking lots too and, of course, going up and down stairs fifty times a day.
Great 😎
Oh great. Another non-smoking blog. You know I sometimes have to go all the way to blogs from Denmark to be able to smoke these days. :pCongrats! :yes: :yes:
I quit cold turkey. The day I quit, I lit a cigarette, took one puff off of it, and tossed it away. Never lit another one after that, and even gave the 3 packs I had left to my dad.Keep going Pam, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't stay that way. You can if you want to. Look at us that have done so for years now.
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
I don't mind if people smoke on my blog, its up to them what they want to do, as long as they keep it to themselves…lol
:lol:They say second hand blog smoke can be a hazard. :p
Darko: Thank you. Kim: I quit cold turkey too. I arrived in Fargo Sept. 5 of last year and knew that was it. Ed: Hahahaha…non-smoking blog….you crack me up. Would you believe, I still get a whiff of nicotine when I open my bedroom door? All the clothes in the closet were eventually washed to get the smell out but there is one cloth chair in there that may be the culprit. Need to reupholster it maybe.
lmao, if it were, I'd be smoking again…lmao
Way to go, Pam!:hat::hat::hat::up:
Pam, I sent you a new friend request, as it says you weren't my friend…lol
Originally posted by PainterWoman:
that's kind of how i got started again. a girlfriend smoked and i thought i could have just one. after ten years without a cigarette, it grabbed a hold of me just like a banshee from the black hole of calcutta.good work. you go girl. i will stop again soon. i must. :up:
Been there done that too, Scott. Just do it, again – for the last time.:happy:
exactly, Kent.
:up:
Originally posted by I_ArtMan:
Until you have been there a few times, you cannot imagine the sense of seizure, the numbness, the sudden sense of powerlessness. I fortunately got training in a Mayo Clinic based program, which teaches how to both surrender at a time and how to resist consistently. You may never quit, but you can reduce it and reduce it again….But Painterwoman has made a year and that is a long time: just don't even think you can have a puff again for any reason. Sounds like Scott and I have the same downfall time to time.
yep… slippery slope.
Congratulations, Pam! Loved your "gang" photo. :lol:Never heard about statins increasing diabetese risk. I was taking statins, and I didn't feel in any discomfort as long as I was a couch potato. But if I got on my bike and went for a ride, almost as soon as I'd start I would feel a lot of pain and feel exhausted. So I quit taking them and haven't consulted with my doc since. Not sure I want to do medicine.
I think that was a pretty good indicator that they were doing you some damage, Deb … probably in the liver, since that's where they work. Good idea to steer clear of them.
Pam, I am very proud of you. I quit 11 years ago as of Oct. 21. Never regretted it (except for the weight gain which I have never been able to lose). Ditto what Kent and Scott and others said. Never pick up another cigarette with the intention of smoking just one—-it'll never be just one. The trick is to occupy your mind and hands when that urge hits—and the urge will lessen with the passage of time. Occasionally I still have the urge hit me and I'll think, "A cigarette sure would taste good.", but it hits and is gone again in seconds so I'm ok.Unfortunately, I didn't quit until 4 or 5 years after I was diagnosed with COPD, and the damage was already done. COPD is INCURABLE AND ALWAYS PROGRESSIVE although it can be slowed down for a time. And, then there's a fact that once you have COPD, you are a lot more prone to develop lung cancer than not.So I am very happy to hear that your lungs are still in good shape. Keep them that way. As Yul Brynner said in his public service announcements "DON'T SMOKE" (He was such a sexy-looking man)
:hat: :hat: :hat: you are amazing! cute picture!
Originally posted by Stardancer:
Thanks Star.Originally posted by SqueakeyCat:
Got it.Originally posted by I_ArtMan:
Thanks Scott. I hope you do. Since I was alone so much, smoking was sort of like a friend. It was always there and I could count on it. Ok…now that sounds sort of pathetic. Originally posted by mebemon:
Thank you mebemon (Kim).Originally posted by gargoyle38:
Russ, somehow, this time, I was able to do just that. It is like embracing something that is unpleasant but you know you have no other choice. I do have fleeting moments of wanting to smoke though. Very strange feeling. You'd think it would be when I pass by someone in the store who smells of nicotine but it isn't. It is when I am sitting somewhere deep in thought, staring off into space, I find myself reaching down beside me on the bench for my pack. Originally posted by debplatt:
It's true. I was unable to copy a link to post here but just google "statins and diabetes risk" and there will be several articles. The reason you quit taking them is the same for me.Originally posted by derWandersmann:
I think I will for as long as I can. Or as long as I can go against what the doctors say. I sort of felt like I was an experiment why she wanted to up the milligrams again even though the blood showed everything was down. Who can afford to have your lipid panel checked every two months? And why? Originally posted by L2D2:
The first month I was here, I got the flu or a very bad cold and was hacking away. It had gone on for three weeks so finally went to the clinic. I hadn't even had a chest xray that I could remember so they recommended I get one. What's funny is that a month later, after I'd already paid the bill, after the clinic submitted it to the insurance which I knew wasn't going to pay anyway, the insurance company sends me a letter telling me of the risks of chest xrays and to call them first to find other alternatives. Why in the hell…..er…heck would they care? It's out of pocket for me! They said that a chest xray is like smoking 720 cigarettes! Ok…so now does that mean they will not honor my one year and reduce my premium 40% like they said. Originally posted by studio41:
Thanks Jill. And to think I almost deleted it completely.
yeah…. i like the picture too. :happy: i agree about the 'friend'. it's not pathetic, it's natural….a comfort that is killing you… :faint:and remember this aa adage… "it's easier to stay stopped than it is to stop again."keep up the good work. you are beautiful. :happy:
OMG! You look like Meryl Streep in that photo, Pam.Really! You do. Anyway, Congratulations, Pam! Want some Sunflower Seeds to keep your mind and hands occupied?
HA HA HA Suntana, I hope you are doing well. 😎
Well, with that Beenie Cap she does look like Meryl Streep about to go out into the night with some cahootinizing partners in mischief to pull some prank. Maybe toilet paper the giant Rabbit Statue in front of City Hall or something along those lines. See that mischievous smile and that Thumb Up sign?That is the tell tale sign of someone going, "Alright, Game On! Let's go do this. One for all and all for one." :ninja:
Wow, well done :up: 😎 💡 What are your plans for your next grandchild? 😉
Congratulations Pam! 🙂 Excellent milestone 😀
Congratulations! I am so very proud of you! Its really hard to quit and staying quit! Great!
If you have any trouble, Pam, there's an outfit called "Cigarettes Anonymous" … it works on the buddy system. When you feel that you can't stand another second without a cigarette, you call up your buddy, and he comes over amd pours you a drink.
Would you believe I just layed on my back in a corpse pose and hypnotized myself to take a deep breath and feel the greater sense of well being I had than if I had smoked a cigarette. That was after only 2 yrs of smoking and about 20 of pranayama though. :lol::yes: to your effort Pam!
Grats Pam, that's quite an achievement and something you can be proud of :up:
Awesome, Pam! :up:
Originally posted by I_ArtMan:
I sure am.Originally posted by Suntana:
Hahaha….but you know, you are the third person to say that. Originally posted by marmaze:
I have a feeling there won't be any others. Originally posted by SittingFox:
Thanks Adele.Originally posted by Zulia:
It was only if I thought about it. Originally posted by derWandersmann:
Hmmmmm…..then I'd be trying to quit another bad habit. So far, the year has gone AOK. No downfalls, very few desires to have one. Too busy, I guess.Originally posted by Frlmnk:
Believe it or not but I do this quite often. Used to take a 20 minute power nap, so to speak. I'd do a controlled breathing while telling my body to completely, totally, let go, relax….beginning with the toes. I'd keep saying, I will wake up completely refreshed and rejuvenated. Never got passed telling my knees to relax cuz I was out. Exactly 20 minutes later, I would wake up. Uh oh, I'd better be careful…my eyelids were getting droopy there. Originally posted by daxonmacs:
Originally posted by Cynthia23:
Thanks Danny and Cynthia.
That is GREAT! Love the "Thumbs Up" positive outlook in your picture.You must feel good knowing you can live better without it. You are doing it first for yourself and your family too. It does help to remember your stopping point. My last one was in November 1975. Everyday now feels like a blessed relief.Keep on going and channel your cravings into your painting. All the BEST! :yes: ⭐
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
It's a drag, man. You got to chill out man. You gotta work on them negative vibes. Look at all these people who have fags to give away. Think of all those fathers you can save from lung cancer.
Originally posted by intothedeep:
It's the lungs and hands that are the problem not the feat.
:hat: Congratulations Pam.
Originally posted by CarloFon:
I do and thank you Carlo. Originally posted by CarloFon:
That's a very good idea. There might be some painting actually going on this weekend.
Originally posted by Weatherlawyer:
😆 Aint that the truth. Wish I'd brought a few of my outdoor projects with me. Used to love to go outside and carve on the wood, or do some sanding on an old metal chair. Kept me occupied. Oh wait, I was smoking then.
Originally posted by Weatherlawyer:
I'd swear I've heard that in an old movie.Originally posted by Dacotah:
Thanks Carol.
You are welcome Pam.