@veteranspouseipain- Cigaretts can cause more than cancer. They can deaden your mouth and other areas, They can do so much harm that I would have to write a book to go into all that. But I'm sure that you know it anyway. I smoked for 35 years and have had lung cancer for 22+ years. I am wondering why you haven't stopped smoking. If you can''t wait, than don't. I quit because I found out that I had lung cancer. It's very very hard, especially for women. You might feel horrible for a a while but it gets easier and more tolerable and if I did it, anyone should be able to. It's such a relief when you do.
Here is some help. I wish you success and that healthy life!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stop-smoking/about/pac-20385048
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/addiction-recovery/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ways-to-curb-your-cravings-for-nicotene/

It is really hard to quit smoking. I am grateful that our Province offers free quit smoking aids to anyone who wants them. The only limitation is that we can only be granted the regime (for free) once a year. I didn't quit until year 3. I tried the gum, inhalers - and then finally the patch. I quit (after 40 years) because I thought I had a health problem so was strongly motivated, but it was still really hard. Sending you positive energy to help get you through the quitting process.

Hello from England , iam so sorry to hear your suffering on top of the daily issues your already having to handle most of us would have given up by now, so don't focus on stress of giving up smoking if your Dr asked you to stop eating chocolate that would be hard enough, so take one tiny step at a time, ( my ddaughter has been through ruff time long story short her husband is disabled and has cancer too she has been sick from stress , here they have rest bite care where you get to have a break time for you just to recharge your precious batteries) might be able to get something like that where you are living and maybe even try drinking before having vitamins in morning lemon water with honey and ginger root might help settle your throat know it's helped me and my darling daughter, they have two precious children that get stressed by things , and my dearest precious beautiful friend are handling similar to you caring for her disabled husband she too has rest carers to support her she's no longer able to do everything herself ,. Seems to me you have enough to deal with walking your precious dog might help when you think about needing to smoke instead of... HUG from England kind regards swift * your so brave take little time to breathe...