Hello Jacqui, it's nice to 'meet' you; I hope I am able to help!
My name is Ross and I am a nicotine addict ;)
Firstly, I hope the meeting you have in a while goes well; I have never been to one before, but I wish I had. I have failed my quit so many times in the past because I did not know about the laws of addiction. I gave up quitting; I was resigned to smoking forever, probably until it killed me.
Then I got the flu, this was not normal flu, this was proper MAN-FLU (!!). I couldn't get out of bed. I wasn't allowed to smoke in the house, and I was too sick to even think about smoking anyway (for the one or two hours I was actually awake). This probably lasted a little over a week. I was then able to get out of bed, but I was still too sick to smoke. By the time I started feeling a little better it was 2 weeks without a cigarette. I decided that i liked having money in my pocket and not going outside every 20 minutes to get a fix. I would see how long I could last. I have lasted nearly 6 months. I will never smoke again. For the first time in my life I feel in control, rather than being controlled. I fell fitter and healthier than I did 10 years ago.
Quitting smoking is not impossible. It's hard, but not imposdible. We are all proof of that. I believe that if you can get through the first 2 weeks (by any means), then you will be able to be smoke free for life.
Just look at your wonderful daughter; does she seem different since she quit? I bet she is happier. I bet the only think that would make her even happier is of you quit too. But you have to want to do it for yourself.
I think you will be OK. With Marti's help, you can beat cigarettes.