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Moderator

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.

JK | @contentandwell | Jul 19, 2019
In reply to @alamogal635 "Quit after many struggles in 1995. What helped was Nicorette 2mgs. and then Original Trident gum...." + (show)
@alamogal635

Quit after many struggles in 1995. What helped was Nicorette 2mgs. and then Original Trident gum. Have no idea why Trident was and is so satisfying, but it still is. I like being smoke free and not heavily addicted as I had been. Was in a place where there was heavy smoking earlier this year and I felt like I was going to be unable to breathe. Still, every once and a while the urge comes back and I just say I won't smoke because I want to be healthy and live my life as fully as possible.

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@alamogal635 @kowalski I read a while back that it's more difficult for women to quit because they actually enjoy it more than men do! I tend to want one when I am around other smokers, which is less and less as time goes on. I really am glad that I did quit, it was worth it. One less thing to worry about and the cost of cigarettes is so high now, it's crazy.
JK

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kowalski | @kowalski | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@kowalski- lol, my error. I meant to ask why are you not setting a closer date..." + (show)
@merpreb

@kowalski- lol, my error. I meant to ask why are you not setting a closer date to quit?

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Stopping smoking is a shock to the body. Better to taper to less smokes, which should make quitting easier ?

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @kowalski "Stopping smoking is a shock to the body. Better to taper to less smokes, which should..." + (show)
@kowalski

Stopping smoking is a shock to the body. Better to taper to less smokes, which should make quitting easier ?

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@kowalski some of us are all or nothing people. For me it’s easier to just stop. I’m the same way with food, better to have none of things that are not healthy for me than to try to have a little.
JK

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1 reply
bluelagoon | @bluelagoon | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@kowalski some of us are all or nothing people. For me it’s easier to just stop...." + (show)
@contentandwell

@kowalski some of us are all or nothing people. For me it’s easier to just stop. I’m the same way with food, better to have none of things that are not healthy for me than to try to have a little.
JK

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@contentandwell @kowalski JK- I am SO like you! LOL!!

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jul 22, 2019

@bluelagoon- I think that's why I quit all at once too, I'm an all or nothing gal.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 7, 2019
In reply to @shortshot80 "July 4, 19 (shortshot nancy) Update.... I saw my oncologist lastt week, am doing just great..." + (show)
@shortshot80

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

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@shortshot80 Hi Nancy,

It has been a while since I heard from you. I hope that your UTI is cleared up now and that your PT has helped your hip. When you have a moment please send me a post and let me know how you are doing!

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 23, 2020

Hi, @merpreb and @contentandwell -You've both talked about quitting smoking before. Just wanted to check in with you and see how it's been going for you lately. Are you finding it to be challenging at this point to stay away from cigarettes? Easy?

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JK | @contentandwell | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @merpreb and @contentandwell -You've both talked about quitting smoking before. Just wanted to check in..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @merpreb and @contentandwell -You've both talked about quitting smoking before. Just wanted to check in with you and see how it's been going for you lately. Are you finding it to be challenging at this point to stay away from cigarettes? Easy?

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@lisalucier I quit smoking on New Year's Eve, 1979, when I was pregnant with my son. I always said I would quit if I got pregnant and I did. When my son was younger he always took credit for me quitting. I still had a slight craving for them for a long time but not anymore. I read somewhere that it is more difficult for women to quit smoking because women actually like it more!
I know that both of my kids smoked occasionally when they were in HS but that was a social thing and neither did it enough to get addicted. Sometimes when they brought friends home I would cringe because some of their friends reeked of cigarette smoke.
With the price of cigarettes these days I am glad I no longer do smoke.
JK

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metalneck | @metalneck | Jan 27, 2020

I last smoked January 2, 2020, the morning of my lobectomy. I am taking Chantix twice a day. The urge to smoke has been intense at times - at other times it's easy to shrug off. When it gets intense I get a spearmint flavored mint and it helps. I also do mind tricks on myself (similar to biofeedback) where I imagine things, daydream or talk myself out of the cigarette. I applaud everyone that has quit cold turkey!! For those of us who don't do so well with that, I would enjoy reading on how you've done it/are doing it!

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4 replies
cinder | @cinder | Jan 27, 2020
In reply to @metalneck "I last smoked January 2, 2020, the morning of my lobectomy. I am taking Chantix twice..." + (show)
@metalneck

I last smoked January 2, 2020, the morning of my lobectomy. I am taking Chantix twice a day. The urge to smoke has been intense at times - at other times it's easy to shrug off. When it gets intense I get a spearmint flavored mint and it helps. I also do mind tricks on myself (similar to biofeedback) where I imagine things, daydream or talk myself out of the cigarette. I applaud everyone that has quit cold turkey!! For those of us who don't do so well with that, I would enjoy reading on how you've done it/are doing it!

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I quit in October of 2019. Very hard. I still miss it. But not enough to smoke. I have gained weight. Finally have started feeling better. Think of all the money you save and treat yourself. Good for you. I know how you are feeling.

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