And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~ Kahlil Gibran



Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The First Step

Well, today my doctor gave me a script for Chantix (that new stop smoking drug). I am excited and nervous at the same time.

I have been smoking for quite a few years now, and so the thought of living my life without a "cancer-stick" hanging out of my face is a little nerve-wracking. I mean, what will it be like to live without having to take smoke breaks all the time? What will food taste like? What will I do with my hands?

Still, stopping smoking is a step in the right direction on so many levels. It will save me money, it will help me to be healthier and make it easier to get the exercise I need. It might even improve my singing voice, which has really gone downhill since I started smoking.

Oh, my.

After this I will have to give up caffeine.

Double oh, my.

Wish me luck!

7 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Not caffeine!!!
I'm not sure if I could do that. Good luck on the smoking though-
I'll be in your cheering section!!

Mysti said...

I quite smoking 6 years ago after 18 years. I did it cold turkey in 3 days. I hope the med makes it easier but it's doable. Good luck! *hugs*

Lisa said...

I agree with lynne... not the caffeine!! A girl's gotta have something to keep her sane! you will be happier without the cancer sticks, once you get past it!

I'm proud of you!

Kati said...

Best of luck with the quitting!!!! My hubby quit over 2 years ago, and while it took a while for him to stop "coughing up a lung" in the morning, almost immediately he started breathing easier during exhertion.

I hope the med helps immensely and that you find yourself able to quit without any issues. I'm another one rooting for ya!

barefoot gardener said...

Thanks, all, for the encouragement.

And don't worry about the giving up of caffeine. That is a ways off in the future yet. :)

Wendy said...

Been smoke-free for twelve years this year. I quit, cold turkey, when my husband and I got our first apartment together. He didn't smoke, but he married me knowing that I did. He just asked me to quit, just simply - no guilt, no blame. And I agreed.

I ate a lot of sunflower seeds, and starlight peppermints and drank a lot of coffee for the first couple of months.

Twelve years later, I don't smoke, I don't eat candy (often), and I no longer drink coffee, except occasionally.

Instead of smoking, I knit or am typing on the computer (and I get a lot more done, because I'm not always taking smoke breaks). Food does taste better, but my singing voice (I used to be a high soprano) is gone ;). Oh, well, at least my lungs should be all healed by now ;).

Good luck! You can do it! :)

RuthieJ said...

Good luck Barefoot. I hope the Chantix works for you. (But with your crazy schedule, maybe keep that caffeine around for a while yet!)