Have you tried to quit smoking while undergoing treatment?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Jun 7, 2018

The decision to quit smoking is a very personal one. Everyone has his or her own reason that helps start the journey to quit smoking. The diagnosis of a serious illness or chronic condition, like cancer, a heart condition, lung condition, diabetes, might be one reason to quit smoking as part of treatment and recovery.

Are you currently undergoing treatment for a serious illness or chronic condition, or are you a survivor of a serious illness who made the decision to quit smoking while undergoing treatment? If yes, and you feel comfortable doing so, please share the experience of your journey to quit smoking.

Thank you for sharing your experiences anonymously in the online survey. The survey is now closed.

However you can continue to share your experiences here in an open discussion with other members. Your story can help others on their journey to quit smoking.
- Did you decide to quit while undergoing treatment? Why or why not?
- What uncertainties or challenges did you face?
- How did your care providers support you to quit smoking? How could they have supported you differently or better?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 18, 2019

In reply to @karenjf "I was diagnosed with SCC in January 19 and scheduled for surgery in February. I scheduled..." + (show)

Hello @karenjf and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm glad that you offered your success story to our discussion on quitting smoking. Congratulations on your success!

How are you feeling since your surgery? Was follow up treatment needed?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 18, 2019

In reply to @alamogal635 "@karenjf I quit in 1995 after about 25 years of smoking. It too several tries, but..." + (show)

I'm so glad that you also were successful in smoking cessation, @alamogal635. I'm sure you are enjoying a healthier lifestyle.

karenjf | @karenjf | May 18, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @karenjf and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm glad that you offered your success story to..." + (show)

Just finished up 6 weeks of Proton Therapy on Friday. So the next month will be for healing. Hopefully, this will be the end of my treatment. I will, however, need to be fitted for dentures, and that won't happen until 3 months after proton therapy. So I'll be without teeth for awhile.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 18, 2019

In reply to @karenjf "Just finished up 6 weeks of Proton Therapy on Friday. So the next month will be..." + (show)

Was the need for dentures related to your treatment, @karenjf?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 18, 2019

In reply to @zeph317 "I quit smoking cigarettes at the same timei quit drugs and alcohol. Cigarettes was probably the..." + (show)

Being in a non-smoking environment was probably very helpful, @zeph317. It looks like you've made lots of healthy decisions!

karenjf | @karenjf | May 18, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Was the need for dentures related to your treatment, @karenjf?" + (show)

I wore dentures prior. My mouth, however, was altered during surgery (oral cancer) so new dentures will be required. And I've been told by Doctors not to even try to wear the old ones, because they will not fit and could cause damage to my healing mouth.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 19, 2019

In reply to @karenjf "I wore dentures prior. My mouth, however, was altered during surgery (oral cancer) so new dentures..." + (show)

Hi @karenjf, you may also be interested in following the Head & Neck Cancer group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/ where you can connect with other members who have had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Jul 4, 2019

July 4, 19 (shortshot nancy) Update.... I saw my oncologist lastt week, am doing just great as far as the cancer. Very slowly with PT for my hip. I requested of my primary to send me to more PT and so I have started on that. My urinary infections is a ongoing process. I have had at least five months of recurring infections, last one was a drug resistant . Each of the medications that I have had in the recent past has not killed the infection, so primary doc sending me to a "infection decease at OHSU in Portland. I go there on the 10 th. Hopefully they can find what's wrong. Also going to a urologist on the 30th. Cancer doc wants another CT on the last week of July, see her on August 8. So am getting things ready for that too. Other than all the above I'm doing pretty well. Am still working on my book am about half way. Just thought I would check in today. Happy Fourth of July everyone. Nancy

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 4, 2019

In reply to @shortshot80 "July 4, 19 (shortshot nancy) Update.... I saw my oncologist lastt week, am doing just great..." + (show)

@shortshot80 Happy Fourth to you, Nancy!

I'm sorry to hear that you are still dealing with those pesky UTIs, they can be such a problem to get rid of. An infectious disease specialist should be a good person to see. I hope they find out what the best med would be for your infection.

That is great news that your oncologist said that your cancer treatment is still working well for you.

I'm glad to hear that your book is coming along. Are you enjoying the process of writing it?

Will you post again after your appointment on the 10th? I'll be looking forward to hearing what the infectious disease doctor has to say.

Take care and check in again when you can.

kowalski | @kowalski | Jul 17, 2019

Tried several times, no luck. I have rectal cancer. I know I should quit, but those dam things relax me.

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