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nope

NOPE!!

NOPE

I am not going to smoke today. NOPE.

Nope

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever. Manly boat harbour morning

While I was struggling with intense cravings today I actually had the thought "just have one and get it (the urge to smoke) out of your system." What a contradiction! ...so stupid. NOPE!

NOPE NOPE NOPE

N.O.P.E. 🙏

NOPE

NOPE…

NOPE!

NOPE!

Well done for acknowledging the craving and batting it away! @Pilgrim💪🏻😊

NOPE! 💫

Please do yourself a favor and stay strong. Very sorry for the loss of your friend. But unfortunately those things happen in life. Stay strong, it is no comfort. Your brain is lying to you.

I'm embarrassed to be posting this but the truth is I'm really craving a cigarette. I've been feeling like smoking all morning and I can't shake it. I keep reminding myself that it's never just 1, all the reasons why it's stupid and why I quit, and yet the urge remains. I lost my friend yesterday to cancer (not smoking-related) and I think my mind is telling myself a cigarette would be comforting... Anyway, I'm trying to stay strong and not give in.

My 3rd session was yesterday. Went smooth as silk and NO reactions at all later that day or evening. Tip-top this morning too so that's a relief. I actually think I'm getting off easy so far only having a brief period of sudden and complete exhaustion. There were a number of other possible bad reactions I was warned about during my initial meeting with the Doc and I haven't had any of those so far 🙏 For these sessions of getting the radiation I don't see the Doc. He's not at the actual sessions; just the technitions are there. I did get a message that I'm to see the Doc just after my second last radiation session. I thought that was kind of odd and that he'sd maybe want to see me after my last session? I guess I'll see when the time comes. And I can tell you the most uncomfortable thing I experience each time I go in is waiting around for 10 or 15 minutes in the waiting area just outside where the radiation gizmo is. I usuall see anywhere from 2 or 3 people to maybe 6 or 7 people all waiting to be called in and in most cases they have someone with them as many of them look like they are at death's door. It's sad and a little depressing actually but I thank my lucky stars that I am not in their shoes. I feel kind of bad because maybe they look at me and think ... why doesn't he look as sick as we are? It feels a little embarrasing like I shouldn't be there or something. It has taught me a lesson though and that is "don't feel sorry for yourself cuz there's always others who are worse off than you are."

Thanks @DenaliBluesThose are great songs! I need to come up with a quitting soundtrack!! hmm.. something to do during football timeouts and commercial breaks

Nothing to be embarrassed about. That's how we ride the merry-go-round after we quit in the early days. Life events are absolute triggers where our thoughts tend to run in loops in our mind. Keep kicking the thought(s) out and use your tools no matter how many times you have to do it and for as long as you need to do it. It will "eventually" pass if you just don't smoke. Smoke and you'll be back to the starting gate again. You can do this! Say NO to yourself. Great job posting.

Yesterday we celebrated that she weighed 200 grams. Should be around 400 gram. She is a tough cooky so we go for it!

Thanks for sharing that today is a struggle @Pilgrim. And I am really sorry for the loss of your friend. Posting here instead of smoking is a great coping strategy. It not only helps you, it’s helpful for others who are white-knuckling for whatever reason. At this stage you are still rebuilding your toolkit for self soothing without smoking, which takes a little time. But it’s also a good creative challenge, to think of things you can do that feel comforting. Distraction is also key. As is repeating the list of reasons you don’t want to pick up again. Smoking won’t actually be gratifying, nor will it bring back your friend or solve any problems. The only thing smoking will do is make you want more smokes. No thanks. You can make it! Hang in there.

NOPE

nope

Yeah, some ritual associations take longer to re-wire. Good for you for staying strong as you pass through that phase. For me it was writing+smoking and also being outside+smoking. But there's a happy ending in store for you. I'm now able to do both without being triggered (or miserable). The same will be true for you! Stew, I love "Don't Worry" being on your quitting soundtrack. My own soundtrack included, "On My Way" by Rusted Root, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, "Think" by Aretha Franklin and "Never Goin Back" by Fleetwood Mac. Oh, and sometimes the Rockapella version of "Road to Shambala." It's hard to relapse when you're dancing like a fool in your living room, LOL. @JoJo what songs belong on your quitting "greatest hits" list? KTQ!

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever. Wild mushrooms

NOPE!! Not on my life.

I'm sorry for your loss, Pilgrim. Lighting up a cigarette willl not make anything betterr, only far worse. You will regret smoking and be back to where you were when you were when you quit. Keep the quit, you will not regret it.

I’m sorry for your loss Life throws us some crap curve balls Stay strong , you will be so mad if you lose your wonderful Quit Smoking won’t change what had happened Stay close to the board 🐸

@SD2026 @DenaliBlues @Doreensfree I Love it!

Me too @Doreensfree!! I actually STILL have an iPod Mini that I keep audio books and music on… including Queen’s Night at the Opera and Day at the Races! Have been nursing that little ipod along for all these years, and I still listen to it every day. It was a huge part of my quit, too. I kept it in my pocket for power walks and spontaneous boogie sessions.

I listened to Queen a lot on my I pod yes I pod .. well it was 13 years ago lol Full blast dancing around the place Music was a massive part of my Quit 🐸

Great song choices! @DenaliBlues I agree with having a playlist! I used to listen to a lot of music during the toughest few months and it really did help! One was Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. I was not giving in when listening to that lol

Your body is very hard working cleaning up the cells that are killed by radiation. That might have caused it. No harm to mention this at your next visit.

There will never be a good day , smokers will always find a excuse to smoke We are addicts The only way to free yourself is just stop Never Take Another Puff Cutting down is agony… you just wait for the next time you can calm the monster down Take it from a 52 year smoker , who tried every way to quit and failed I succeeded when I promised never to take another puff , this place , I know you can do it , you just have to believe it yourself 🐸

Staying busy is a good tactic @shy. We've all been where you are - being tired of the grip smoking had on us but feeling very fearful of quitting, and trying to bargain/reduce our smoking, instead. But the only surefire way to stop smoking is... to actually stop smoking. By weaning yourself down you're basically keeping your brain chemistry in a constantly activated state of withdrawal that's longing for its next fix. Counterintuitively, you may feel way better once you let yourself get through that early withdrawal stage and start to feel free and clean. It feels like a big leap, but the distance may be shorter than you think. And we're all here to catch you and help you along the way. Just let go of the smoking and fall... UP!

Hey, Stew. So sorry the cardiac issues keep causing trouble. We go through so much of our lives feeling indestructible, then BLAM. Take good care of yourself, buddy!

NOPE!!!

NOPE!!

NOPE! 💫

Never again a nicotine addict! NOPE!

Nope! (Not Today!)

That's good news Reci I hope you continue to handle this that well with the future treatments. It's been two years since my last scan. Your situation gave me the push I needed to schedule a lung scan, and with tremendous fear of the outcome! They read it yesterday and it came back clear thank goodness.

I'm sorry you lost your friend @Pilgrim You've nothing to be embarrassed about by admitting what all of us went/is going through also! Everyone on this forum totally gets it! You did the right thing posting here and well done for staying strong and not giving in! I saw that you pledged NOPE today! 😊

NOPE

JoJo. When the craves hit I always try to think of something that makes me happy it changes my mindset. My first thoughts always go to Bob Marley, Don't Worry Be Happy. 😎 Glad you are doing well and see the future with a sense of reality knowing these crave's will happen. The benefit's of not smoking far outweigh being trapped by that senseless deadly addiction. This is also my "Third Time's A Charm" KTQ Stew.

A nice positive post @JoJo Its wonderful not having to rush outside in the interval..just to calm the monster Congratulations 🐸

Thanks for asking. Today is my 12th day with no smoking or vaping! It's getting easier but of course there are still triggers popping up. I just do a little box breathing and they go away. Last night I went to dinner and a play with some friends. It was so awesome to enjoy every moment without thinking about when I could go smoke!!

23 hrs later How’s it going … you free ? 🐸

How's it going Shy?