Have you tried to quit smoking while undergoing treatment?

Well....I spent a few years smoking. I remember one day looking at the ashtray and thinking how did I get here? I guess I just couldn’t find any thing positive about smoking. I was an “adult” smoker (later in life, 40-50 yr range), so I know the addictive process is somewhat different than a person (my husband) who had started smoking in his late teens. His job made it more difficult to smoke while working, so that was good. He was diagnosed with a autoimmune disease eight tears ago. Between being hospitalized, then treated with a cancer like infusion, he was “restrained” from smoking and at some point, decided to quit. That decision made me very happy. For reference, we r both 68, so for him, especially, he was fully addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes. He still remembers smoking and still has an emotional/psychological draw, but as time passes, he finds more reasons to have quit than continue. It takes a lot to quit smoking. I can say that from watching my husband and being empathetic to his struggle. If you asked him today if it was a good decision, I think his response would be it was a “no brainier” Hard, but quality of life and his health were paramount. I hope this gives someone encouragement and a “reality” check for your health and quality of life. How and the steps to quit are yours to make. That is our story Definitely, from seeing the responses, you have many members cheering you on. Good luck. Would Love to read your success story

Tobacco. The only product left in America that when used exactly as recommended by the manufacturer, will kill you.

@kowalski, there are many approaches to successfully quite smoking. For some a gradual decrease helps, especially with aids like nicotine patches or quit medications. Others find cold turkey works for them. The website https://www.becomeanex.org/ in partnership with the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center (NDC) offers support and resources.

Here's some information and a video specific to your questions:
Why it’s so important to quit smoking when you have cancer https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/blog/Why%20it%E2%80%99s%20so%20important%20to%20quit%20smoking%20when%20you%20have%20cancer

Quitting is hard. But your body will thank you, regardless of any “jolt” to your system. We don’t like to hear that we are addicted, but anyone who’s tried to quit has learned how addictive tobacco is.
Not quitting for fear of a jolt is an easy rationalization to keep smoking. Don’t believe it.
You’ve got this. Go for the jolt!

Will gather more info. Keeping smoking sounds false.

@kowalski That doesn't sound like anything I'd come across. I just googled and found the attached reasons why smoking hampers recovery. It's from Cleveland Clinic but I'm pretty sure I'd seen the same either on Mayo's site or cancer.org when I was going through it. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/smoking-cancer-diagnosis-quit-now/

Never heard of that one before. I am so glad I did quit for so many reasons, wish you all the luck in the world, it can be done!!!

My whole family wants me to NOT quit. A doctor told my friend with cancer, the jolt it would create would hamper my recovery. This sounds crazy, but I found several articles stating the same thing. The best I heard is slowly cutting down until you are at zero. This would not shock the body. Sounds nuts to me but also makes sense. Ideas?

@meka- That's wonderful! How are you feeling better?

Couple years now, right before being diagnosed. Worked on it for years before, but always started again, even after stopping for almost two years!!