Saturday, July 30, 2011

So... I Quit Smoking.



I wanted to stop for a long time now. My smoking got more and more. Finally after an entire pack on Sunday I decided this is it!
I have smoked since I was 15. I quit once when I was 27 then my Grandpa passed and I was just so upset I bought a pack... It was all down hill from there.
I was only at a few a day and never smoked at work. Then it was 3 on my 25 min car ride to and from work. Then ok all the kids are in school I will sit out and enjoy a few while I am alone. Never smoked at night really once I was home I was home, that turned into OK Louise time for a walk smoke two at night. I quickly escalated to almost a pack a day.
Here in Mass a pack of cigs are $8 at the least. So I was spending at the least $50 a week. At $3,69 a gallon that would fill my tank! I was wasting gas money! My weekly food bill is $50 I was wasting real Oreos for store brand! I was wasting $2,400 a year! I could have my new van paid off 3 years sooner! That is crazy!
So come Monday morning I decided I am not stopping to buy them. Tuesday I had to drive by "my gas station" and see Bill wave at me. My lungs could taste the flavor the feeling everything, I broke down and cried.
It has been almost a week and I am starting to feel better. I just wanted to share with you because well I think I needed to do that today as I am feeling a whole lot better but still need a little push so I am writing about it.
So here is what I learned.


In 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse rate decrease, and the body temperature of your hands and feet increase.

Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. At 8 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases to normal. With the decrease in carbon monoxide, your blood oxygen level increases to normal.

At 24 hours, your risk of having a heart attack decreases.

At 48 hours, nerve endings start to regrow and the ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

Between 2 weeks and 3 months, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier and you don’t cough or wheeze as often. Phlegm production decreases. Within several months, you have significant improvement in lung function.

In 1 to 9 months, coughs, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease as you continue to see significant improvement in lung function. Cilia, tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs, regain normal function.

In 1 year, risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack is reduced to half that of a smoker.
Between 5 and 15 years after quitting, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.

In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer drops. Additionally, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease. Even after a decade of not smoking however, your risk of lung cancer remains higher than in people who have never smoked. Your risk of ulcer also decreases.

In 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack in similar to that of people who have never smoked. The risk of death returns to nearly the level of a non-smoker.

I found all this information on different medical websites. This is amazing stuff! If you need any help to quit smoking I am here :) Although I might need a little help too! Have an awesome weekend!


OH AND PLEASE DO NOT WORRY! I will not become one of "those" people who are a anti smoking freak! I know how it feels :)

Much Thoughts For All Denise <3

13 comments:

Unknown said...

I feel your pain. I've smoked since I was 15, too. I quite for about 6 months, and one night with a glass of wine I thought I might bum one from a friend just "because it wouldn't hurt". I haven't stopped since. I really, really need to also! They say a "nic fit" only lasts 3 minutes, so if you can tough it out for about 21 days you should be good! Good luck!!

Unknown said...

I am soooo jealous!!! I want to quit so bad, but it is super hard to when people smoke all around you.

Evan Becky said...

I've never smoked, but I know how it feels to try to get off caffeine. Best wishes, keep fighting through it!

Lisa P. said...

Keep up the good work! I'm a new GFC follower from the blog hop. I hope you'll stop by my blog and follow back.

www.LisaBlogs.com

Denise McDonough said...

Thank you everyone for your kind words! I have to say I cheated today :( I am so mad at myself! My best friend had an emergency and I was so stressed her sister was there and I had a few puffs but let me tell you I will NEVER smoke again after that! It was so horrible tasted horrible made me dizzy and smelled so bad needless to say I got threw 3 puffs thats it now I NEVER want to touche a butt again! YUCK

But thank you everyone for your kind words! It means a lot!

XLMIC said...

I am not a smoker, but my dad was. I wish you the very best with a smoke-free future :) I love the stats about how the body starts working so much better as soon as you stop :) You CAN do this! You WILL do this :)

Jamie said...

Keep up the great work!!! My dad and best friend are going through this... I hear it's the worst! You can do it!! :o)

Yes! Yolanda said...

I'm not a smoker but commend you on your efforts! I know how tuff it is to quit bad habits (ie soda, late night snacking) & can just imagine what its like to quit after a LIFE LONG bad habit! Wow.
I watched my Grandparents die from smoking(cancer) & would never want anyone else's family to EVER have to go through that. Its a slow, tourcherous death that is hard on the person dying as well as the family watching.
So proud of anyone who makes the effort to quit! I'm routing for you!!

Mimi said...

Wishing you all the best in your non-smoking endeavours, it is a life changer.

I am a new follower from the Moody Monday hop.

Amy

MiMi's Musings
www.graceandme.com

HumblePie
gracefulhomepigeon.blogspot.com

Erika said...

I've never smoked, but I just wanted to say best of luck & it sounds like you have what it takes to do it!
I'm a new follower stopping by from the blog hop - I hope you'll stop by my blog too - Musings From a Stay At Home Mom ! Have a great Monday!

Anonymous said...

Yay for you! I quit smoking *cold turkey* last month too :)

"Cheryl - Smoke-free and Healing for Sixteen Days, 11 Hours and 34 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 20 Hours, by avoiding the use of 247 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $17.94."

Yes, my smokes were very, very cheap and I still want one. I had to quit because of heart problems though. It's smoke and die, or quit and live :) Not really a hard choice to make!

Siamapieceofcake said...

I quit smoking 9 years ago. It was hard but with much determination it did. keep up the good work and it really does get better. Today, I can't stand the smell of smoke. It gives me a headache. I am that complainer you see all the time. New follower from friendly friday. Hope you could visit my blog and follow back. tootsabellarose.blogspot.com

Denise McDonough said...

Thanks everyone!!! I am going on 13 days! Ugh still hard!

 
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