I went for a lung scan(current smoker) and a dr noticed something

Excuse me for interfering, don’t really have the right but you’re right “ not hard but severely hard to get off the smokes”. But when I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2016, well cancer should certainly give you the incentive to quit smoking. And I really feel you bout the grandkids, but I can quaranty you that you’ll live longer if you quit, but cancer really changes your quality of life. I got no room to talk-2 pls a day for 40 some years, but try thinking about that extra time with the grandkids. I mean “yeah” it’s gona kill us all, but I gained a lot more time and trying to use it wisely. It’s hard as hell to quit but you will gradually notice that you got more air, plus ck that wallet. Definitely should be heavier. Later, just a guy who rolled those dice & now paying the price. I sure hope you stick around get those memories that you’d otherwise wouldn’t have got if u keep smoking.

I’m really glad you wrote this, because what you’re feeling makes complete sense. Finding an abdominal aortic aneurysm incidentally is a shock. You went in for something routine and suddenly you’re carrying information that feels heavy, uncertain, and frightening. The size you’re describing sits right in that gray zone where close monitoring and serious conversations are appropriate, and the back-and-forth measurements only add to the anxiety. None of that means you’ve done anything wrong or that disaster is imminent. It means you’re being watched carefully, which is exactly where you should be.

It’s also very normal to be scared. Fear shows up when something matters, and your words make it clear how much life still matters to you. Thinking about surgery, risks, smoking, and outcomes can spiral quickly, especially at night. Dreams about not making it through surgery are your mind trying to process uncertainty, not a prediction of the future. Seeing a new surgeon is unsettling, but it’s actually a positive step. High-volume vascular surgeons see aneurysms like yours every day, and a second set of eyes often brings clarity rather than bad news. Smoking absolutely factors into risk discussions, but it does not automatically disqualify someone from care. Surgeons weigh the whole picture: size, growth rate, anatomy, symptoms, overall health, and timing. This is not an all-or-nothing judgment.

Quitting smoking is hard. Full stop. Struggling with it is not a moral failure, and beating yourself up won’t help your aneurysm or your heart. Even small changes matter. Even imperfect attempts matter. Surgeons know this, and many will work with you rather than against you. What stands out most is your reason for wanting more time. Six grandchildren, new lives just beginning, and moments you haven’t had yet. That motivation matters. It’s real, and it’s powerful. It’s also something you can bring into the room with your surgeon. This is not just about centimeters and scans. It’s about your future. Right now, the most important thing you’re doing is staying engaged, showing up to appointments, and asking for help instead of going silent with fear. You don’t have to decide everything today. You just have to take the next step, and January 16 is a solid next step. You are not weak for being scared. You are human, and you are still very much here. Peace.

I wish I could offer you a solution, as this is a constant battle I fight with my husband as well. He suffered a stroke in 2020 and swore off cigarettes, but went back to them. We have fought about this for years. I am highly allergic to the smoke and just finished 5 years of allergy shots, but there are none to help with this allergy. This year we will celebrate 50 years of marriage and it has been our one big battle. We have 10 grands and love to spend time with them. I took up Crossfit 15 years ago and soccer 22 years ago and have played with several of my grand children both indoor and outdoor. I think staying busy with physical things has been a great motivator and was for him as well for years, he battles type 2 diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases as well due to exposure of chemicals in the military. Three of our four children all smoked and both of our daughters have been able to give it up. It is a demon I do not understand. Maybe some hypnosis? Lots of prayers. God Bless you to keep trying. Find something active to do, where you hands are occupied !

I was a 2 Pack a day smoker for 50+ years, finally was able to quit, yes it's hard but it's possible, the main thing is you have to want 100% to quit not 50%. I used to carry a small pencil, the size of a cigarette, believe it or not it gave me some comfort. Even after 10 years of quitting once in a while I'll get that fleeting feeling of wanting a cigarette, but as fast as I think about it , it's gone. Good luck, you can do this.