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Nope I am so proud today is my 365th Nope.

Congratulations @Linda Thomas for being smoke free for 1 year! (And for growing a pair of big, hairy, quit balls ) Well done Linda! Twelve months ago you arrived here, timid and afraid and as you grew strong in your quit you started giving back, to the newbies coming behind, to those travelling with you and to the old phartes. You are an inspiration as is your journey. So sit back, watch the entertainment and have a drink as we raise our glasses for one of the most anticipated Woohoos in QT history and toast to your success. You little ripper!

Okay, now you all have me crying. Of course they are tears of joy. When I first logged onto this site, I was at a very low point in my life. I had no idea I was going to meet such special people, from around the globe, who knew I had the strength to make it to this point. You all have bought out the best in me and I thank you. @MLMR, you are right behind me and I will be there to help you celebrate. Don't give up on that cup of coffee. I am going to enjoy my golden years travelling and from what I hear, the Netherlands is the place to go - everything is legal!!!!! @QueenB, I will be there with you through your journey. You are doing great. @Rozuki, @notsmokinjo, @WeegieWoman and @Doreensfree, you all have been my inspiration. Doreen, I love my gifts. Know that I plan on being around for a long time. You all have saved my life and I will always hold you in my heart! Linda

Linda, Huge Congratulations to you, for reaching your first year. I am happy that I got to know you and were able to follow your journey. Thanks for being open about it, thanks for sharing your experiences, both the good ánd less fortunate ones. Ive seen you cary them with your chin up. I had really whished we could grab that coffee one day and talk about the things we have in common. I learned so much from you, do you realise? I hope you throw a really big celebration party, because you bloody well deserve it, dear Linda! You quit smoking for good! Look at this tree, glowing all year 'round, no season to be skipped. You did them all, hero!

Congrats, Linda! You made it to the Lido deck in style! Cheers! Celebrate your achievement and KTQ... Let's get this party started!

Linda, I've met quite a few people over the years since quitting smoking and none of them compares to the transformation I was privileged to witness in you. Reci is spot on with the butterfly analogy and being a part of your amazing journey is something I'll remember fondly for the rest of my life. Thank you for paying it forward, thank you for all the laughs, thank you for being you and thank you for your friendship. You're a beautiful, smart, self confident ex smoker! Have a great day, and celebrate this awesome achievement

Oh...and remember my dear, about 6 months ago @Doreensfree said there was a chair on the lido deck with your name on it? ... Well she didn't lie

Welcome to the lido deck Linda!!!

NOPE

So this is my special woohoo, you @Linda Thomas are an inspiration. So your very first post I thought oh I don't think this one will make it (glad I was wrong), you were so tentative and lacking in self belief.... and I read your post and re-read it and I wanted you to succeed (I want everyone to succeed) but the parallels we shared in our lives, I just wanted to reach across the distance and hold the little girl you had been and hug the woman you had become who wasn't the woman you should be. I wanted you to have what I have, freedom and the knowledge that I mean something and I am truely worthwhile, because you Linda are and from those very first posts I could see not smoking Linda peaking out yelling hey I'm here let me out...and I watched, as did everybody else, and I cheered as day by day you grew. I cried at the anguish in your posts, I cried at the love and support you blessed me with and everyone else with too. I rejoiced with you and for you. Growing up I was told if you could hold out your hand and count 5 true friends you were indeed blessed. I'm really blessed, I have more than 5 but you are one of them. Hugest congratulations my dear for looking at that mountain and taking your first scary arsed step and conquering it. It wasn't always easy, it wasn't always fun but you have a backbone of steel (and a big set of hairy quit balls) and you never gave up. I frickin heaps proud of ya....you have touched and changed my life for the better.

We've watched and participated in one of the most amazing metamorphosis ever Linda! You are now truly ready to soar to heights you never imagined. Well done my friend .... well done! Welcome to the Lido deck!

nope

Nope! I'd rather fight a bear!

G’day nothing starts the day like NOPE

Yay go Linda! Congrats to you! Quitting is no easy task. It’s not for sissies. Though I don’t say much about it some days are very hard for me. I spend much of my time on her reading other peoples stories. They give me the power to not walk out to the garage and smoke. So thank you for sharing your quit so others can be Inspired and know that they’re not alone and that some of the things they’re going through each and every quiter has gone through!

@Linda Thomas you were such a supportive and inspiration to me when I first joined. And I would like to congratulate YOU on this, your 1 yr anniversary!!!! Celebrate any way you see fit my friend. You've come a long way!!! Enjoy your day

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This is a great day for the Quit Train... Sometimes I'm asked ...why I stay travelling on this fabulous train...well I think the answer is easy .... I love seeing a newbie arrive ,unsure ,quiet,and seeking a way forward to stop smoking ... When you arrived ...we knew you were special.... You are a kind ,loyal,considerate lady ....who has a place in my heart ... I feel lucky to have met the most amazing friends here..on board and off...... It is a honour to share this day with you ...and I hope you reward yourself handsomely for all your hard work and perseverance...getting to the Lido ... Enjoy the day ...I've sent you two special gifts ....take your drink ,while the captain shows you to your well earned seat ,right at the front ... Love and hugs Sweetheart xxxxx

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I woke up this morning feeling pretty good! I'm always grateful to God for another day. But I was especially happy to see that Ms. @Linda Thomas has one year !!!! I truly am happy for her. Way to go Ms. Linda!!WooWoo!!!. So I thought that I might spread some cheer to all the non smokers out there and say HIP HIP HOORAY !!!!! We are on our WAY!!!!!!

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NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

You did it, Linda! Time to celebrate your very own New Year's Day. You're unstoppable now so the party will keep following you wherever you go. Enjoy all the rewards you've earned from the hard work you put in last year. Cheers, and Happy New Quit Year!

Congrats Linda!! NOPE!!

NOPE!

Nope! Simple but really powerful way to conquer each day

POSITIVELY NOPE!!!!!!

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NOPE!

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NOPE!

NOPE...

Thank you for sharing your journey and courage. You have a gift for putting your situation and emotions into straightforward words with a dash of humor thrown in, even as you are still trying to make sense out of the senseless circumstances you suddenly found yourself in. Your ability to meet this setback head on and get your winning game plan in order is truly inspirational, and must be particularly so to your friends and family who are there fighting right alongside you. You're making us all very proud.

Three cheers for all us quitters!!!! Great post QueenB, glad you're feeling pretty darn good today

G’day A big Well Deserved Congratulations! regards Chris

Congratulations Linda and welcome to the Lido Deck! From someone who started out with so much doubt and fear (and let's face it, high drama) you really evolved into a solid quitter who's primary concern is supporting others through this process. You deserve a party to end all parties!

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE Yay LINDA !!!

Dear darling Linda, You have become a huge part of this board while you have been on your nicotine free journey. On every step of the way, you have shown your determination to quit and your care of others. I know it hasn't been an easy year for you. Life has given you some real struggles and sorrows but, you have persevered and come out the other side a very powerful woman. This metamorphosis has been extraordinary to witness... here are some excerpts from your introductory thread, posted August 1, 2018: "...I have been experiencing so much depression and feelings of helplessness lately and a big part of that is the fear of what smoking is doing to me. I have been ashamed of my addiction for a long time and just want to stay home to smoke. I have lost all motivation in so many things that I enjoy. Sometimes I feel like I would just like to give up. I don't feel I can share these feeling with anyone close to me. Today is a new day and I am starting it with the challenge of not having that morning smoke. That is a tough one. I will lean on you all and pray that this time I can have some success! " Well, you have built a most sturdy and successful quit, indeed ! Thank you for not giving up on yourself ! We love you so much and are so very happy to celebrate your first year with you. Thank you for sharing your support, your love, your humor and your quit with us, thank you very, very much. Others have used the metaphor of a chrysalis in this celebratory thread, it is completely apropos. Oh, hope you celebrate wildly ! We are all here with bells on ! NOPE-ly yours and with all love, your friend, S

So happy for you Linda! You tried, saw that you could do it, and are now reaping the rewards of being a non-smoker! Big congratulations to you and enjoy your smoke free life!

Congratulations Linda! It's such a pleasure to see you reach your one year mark.

Lindy so happy to welcome you to the Lido deck. It has been a pleasure to get to know you and watch you grow during the past year. You have shown the way during your quit -- both the difficult times and the good times, also you have added so much to the group. Congrats on 1 year quit and party hardy today -- you so deserve it!!!!!

One year ago you made a great decision and today you get to celebrate it! Congratulations on your first year of freedom!

Congratulations on 1 year smoke free, Linda! Welcome to the lido deck! Thanks for all that you have done to help others. I hope you celebrate big today!

My quit date is 27th July, 2019 @Matt B. My previous quit date was 2nd April this year, but I blew it with one cigarette last week. So starting over. Your plan to keep quits going is good, and I'll go with it. I will, however, still take the daily Nope pledge, as it has helped me a lot. Also, welcome aboard!!!

Huge Well done Linda, and Welcome to the Lido deck. Love all your posts on here, you really make me laugh. Hope you are celebrating and feeling very proud of yourself. You so deserve it xx

Thanks for all your replies. and prayers. Figured I'd pop in and give a brief update of what's been going on - as of now it's a lot of hurry up and wait. We had the 1st meet and greet this past Monday with my 'family support' team and my 1st mini team of Dr's. - Boy talk about the Funky Bunch lol. We all just seemed to 'click'. They never once made us feel as if they were in a hurry, took their time and answered all our questions - and there were a lot naturally. So much to take in and my thoughts just scattered to the wind over the past days/week? Time seems to blend all together. Thank god for my sister and BF the note / detail takers jotting down the lingo checking off appointment days - always important to have those on a team when you cant even collect your own thoughts and zinging of the meds and just the whole reality check of it all. So to fill in the gaps as best I can - As far as the rest of the scans from the lungs down all is clear. I had been having back pain prior and worried about what they found but turns out my posture just sucks so I can deal with that. Picked up a wrap around back support device that I wear during the day now and it's helped a lot. As far as the rest we'll start with the brain. Anytime the brain is involved it's the 1st to be treated regardless. Because these are small clusters and not just 1 tumor I will be having what they call full brain treatment vs targeted treatment. Meaning from the neck up the entire head/brain get radiation to shrink and kill the clusters. Right now I'm still on strong steroids to control the swelling and on a 'trial' medication to help with any short term memory loss that may come once the radiation starts. Apparently these are only 5 min sessions for 10 days straight. I'm able to drive myself to and from treatment and lucky that I'm only 15min from the center. However my family team is like yea NO we are with you every step of the way and that is a great comfort right now. Tomorrow I go in to have my mask fitted - yes my Deadpool mask lol and then back on the 12th for a 'simulated run' and then they will set up my appointments for the 10 days straight of zap zap zap. From how they explained the side effects of that and it's different for every one of course - is that even though it's 10 days - the effects take much longer. For the 1st 3 to 4 wks they expect me to go up and down on the chart which is the norm. They advised there will be days I will feel fine, some just tired, others I may not feel like moving at all. But after the 4th -5th week they generally see an increase in energy levels and you start to climb back up on the chart. Hair loss (small potatoes) And then more - hurry and wait. As far as the lung part - they are waiting for the biopsy still which will let them know which meds to best use based on the originating organ (lung most likely). As each organ responds differently to different meds/chemo. But that part and info will come later as the brain is the main focus for now. My family team has been so strong for me - we are all so different in personalities etc but really pull together when needed. Over the past week I can see the different emotions and effects this has taken on all of them. It's very emotionally charged, draining, up lifting, putting things into perspective, the petty crap doesn't even matter anymore - grab life by the balls and just LIVE. Today was hard on my BF - he's taken the week off so we can get things done and while he's been so brave I saw his moment hit and it's at these times where you just have to step back and let them process it all in and give them their space. If not it just becomes too much and too consuming and we all need that time alone to reflect and recharge. I know because I go there every night in my own head which is why I have a notebook by my bed and it's just about full. After dinner I could tell he was just mentally exhausted and so tired from thinking. I told him my mom and sister are chomping at the bits to take me to this visit and it would be a good time for him to take a break, go visit a friend, just sleep or do whatever he wanted. No need to sit in a waiting room while I get my 'facial' as they call it there. But he insists. I didn't press further but I'm hoping in the morning I can convince him otherwise. Take the dogs to the beach - just something normal. As for my mental state - well it's all over the place as expected. Usually after hours of writing thoughts fade and sleep finds me. I did pick up some of those adult coloring books today however so if I find myself back up at 3AM at least I have something new to focus on. Everyday is different and I just ride it out and make sure I start the next day on a positive note and end it on a positive note. Learning lessons from the day before - again throw out the trash and keep the good. I stay active most the day and take a nice power hour or 2 nap then refresh and back to life - more hurry up and wait lol. Right now it's time to try and get some sleep and start the day fresh. I wish everyone the best of luck no matter what stage you are in your quit - DONT EVER GIVE UP! YOU ARE MUCH STRONGER THAN YOU THINK!

Is it really 6 months since I arrived on the Lido deck!! where did that time go........ Yep life is better without smoking.. woohooo NOPE...

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!