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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.

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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

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director
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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)
Profile picture for karenjf @karenjf

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.

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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)

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karenjf | @karenjf | May 18, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Was the need for dentures related to your treatment, @karenjf?" + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

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

Jump to this post

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.

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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)
Profile picture for zeph317 @zeph317

I quit smoking cigarettes at the same timei quit drugs and alcohol. Cigarettes was probably the hardest thing to overcome, but there were many resources. I went to a treatment facility that was non smoking and that helped alot not having other smokers around me when I was struggling

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

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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)
Profile picture for karenjf @karenjf

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.

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

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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)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

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?

Jump to this post

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.

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1 reply
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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)
Profile picture for alamogal635 @alamogal635

@karenjf I quit in 1995 after about 25 years of smoking. It too several tries, but nicotine gum helped. Still after all these years diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in my lower right lung. Had a lobectomy. Mercifully the cancer was small--hadn't spread and I feel blessed. There are still times, I miss smoking! I won't do it again, but I've heard quitting cigarettes is worse than quitting heroine--much more addictive. Anyway, good for all of us for quitting.

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

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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)
Profile picture for karenjf @karenjf

I was diagnosed with SCC in January 19 and scheduled for surgery in February. I scheduled my "Quit" to coincide with my surgery. I was on the patch for a week before surgery. I was in the hospital for 4 days, but pretty heavily sedated for 2 days, so I figured that would cover the 3 days of physical withdrawal from cigarettes. I haven't smoked since.

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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?

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1 reply
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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | May 18, 2019

@karenjf I quit in 1995 after about 25 years of smoking. It too several tries, but nicotine gum helped. Still after all these years diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in my lower right lung. Had a lobectomy. Mercifully the cancer was small--hadn't spread and I feel blessed. There are still times, I miss smoking! I won't do it again, but I've heard quitting cigarettes is worse than quitting heroine--much more addictive. Anyway, good for all of us for quitting.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for karenjf
karenjf | @karenjf | May 18, 2019

I was diagnosed with SCC in January 19 and scheduled for surgery in February. I scheduled my "Quit" to coincide with my surgery. I was on the patch for a week before surgery. I was in the hospital for 4 days, but pretty heavily sedated for 2 days, so I figured that would cover the 3 days of physical withdrawal from cigarettes. I haven't smoked since.

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1 reply
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