Smoking

Hi Nan-nan

i am a smoker and like you smoking is my stress reliever. I know it’s not good but it is my go to. I have cut down a great deal and am looking to stop as my radiotherapy have started and I am trying hard to look the other way...the good way as they would say. I have cut down from 7 sticks a day to 2 and tried to smoke a stick when radiotherapy started but it tasted different to me. So I only smoked once since I started my radiotherapy and it looks like I’m going to quit all together. It’s diffi but I think it’s for the best. I know this isn’t going to help but hope it does.

good luck

anac-c

Hi Nan-Nan, I too was a smoker but like anac-c I cut down from 10-12 a day, to 5-7 a day but found with the radiotherapy they didn't taste the same so I pretty much stopped but couldn't resist trying one every now and again. When my radiotherapy finished I did buy a vape and am using that but was also smoking about 3 a day. When my surgeon said he would not operate if I smoked I stopped (sort of). When I visit my father-in-law he usually offers me a ciggie, and because my willpower is pretty rubbish I usually accept. So at the moment I am smoking 1 a week and using my vape. I have to say I don't really miss it until I get news that my operation isn't going to happen for another 8 weeks, when I was told it would be November. I felt like going out and buying 20 but at the end of the day it would only impact on me in a bad way so I resisted.

You may find once the treatment starts that you to will notice a difference in the taste and it might make it easier to cut down or even stop.

Hope you treatment goes to plan and soon this will all be like a bad dream.

All the best Rita

Hi Anac,well done for cutting down on your smoking, i smoke about  15 a day, a nasty habit i know, hopefully i get the same result as you by the taste, it would be nice and healthier to cut down, but at the moment thats all i think about, good luck with your course of Radiotherapy, i have my 1st in the morning, starting to feel nervous now tho, and yes by what you have written it has helped me,it has  given me another goal to go for,Thank-you, all the best x

Hi Rita, i did stop smoking a few years ago, but as  some things happen you start again, as you know you feel lightheaded when you try a smoke after being without for a few days, i will have to look to what i could save by stopping, my willpower is same as yours at the moment, but hopefully il get it kicked back in touch, im sorry you have to wait longer for your operation,that must have been hard to take in, but well done for resisting the dreaded smoke, All the best to you too x.

Hi Nan-nan

i wish you all the best tomorrow. There is nothing to be nervous or scared about. You won’t feel a thing. I also have my 4th session tomorrow and hoping everything works for us, you and me. Good luck with the smoking and your first session. Update me re your smoking too.

anac-c

Thank-you Anac,my 1st treatment went well, i got worked up for nothing, i have morning appointments so at least the rest of the day is my own, i left my smokes at home so then i wasnt tempted to go out and have 1, but had a cuppa and smoke as soon as i got home, i wish you luck too with your treatment, and hope all goes well, yes we will kick this together, all of the lovely people who post on here, give some good advice, i just hope we dont get many side affects with our medication, then we can sail through this rotten time, take care , hugs to you x

Hi nan-nan

I’m glad your first session went well. I went for my 4th session today and tomorrow is my last. How many sessions are you going to have? I know the feeling well when a cuppa is involved, I too would reach for my smokes. I did smoke 1 today and I enjoyed it to be honest even when it didn’t taste normal. Do you mind my asking, where are you having your radiotherapy? I go to Christie’s. It would be nice to one day meet you and just enjoy chatting. Yes, we will kick this together and we will enjoy a good laugh when we do. Take care and good luck.

Anac-c

Hi Nan-Nan

have been thinking of you and wondering how you are coping. Haven’t heard from you in a while. Please update us.

Anac-C

Hi

Yes, I'm a somewhat heavy roll up smoker, & I'm also a regular wine drinker....& I doubt I'll give up either at my age; yet also, I don't actually want to - as I enjoy my habits. When I first saw my surgeon last April, I told him 'I'm far too old & fragile to have this major operation, & I also smoke & drink a bottle of wine a day.'

He burst out laughing, saying 'too old, too fragile? This is Dorset...and you look very fit to me' (I guess because I am very slim & reasonably agile, despite not exercising.)

He never admonished me, he just said 'Carry on what you normally do till the operation, but don't exceed the drinking.' & I thank him for his humour & grace & for not making me feel in any way guilty for my sins!

I went into hospital 'cold turkey' & was there for 4 days. In that time, I never craved a drink or a cigarette....but I guess being on a Fentanyl drip for 2 days, I was kind of out of it anyway - in a not very nice numbing way. After discharge, it took me 3 more days at home before I felt the need for either again. With me, both habits are obviously very habitual ones.

But I see you are primarily talking about treatment after, which I guess you mean Chemo? Which fortunately, I didn't need...so maybe my reply is irrelevant to your question?

Anyways, Cheers....& wishing you well!