notsmokinjo

It was scary in the diagnosis stage and the treatments been annoying but I think i"m through the worst of it The first thing the surgeon said was "How many smoke fi you have a day" ... I was so proud saying none since 2017.... "Good for you",said the surgeon, "but the damage was done. Although it would have been much worse if you were still smoking. We'd definate have needed surgery"

Did you know that smoking gives you a predisposition to non-lactating breast abcesses? No? Neither did I.... but it does. And just for fun, even when you've quit for "at least 10 years" you are more likely to get breast abcesses than someone who never smoked. There have been a number of studies into this. Smoking cigarettes changes and damages your milk ducts which over time can develop into abcesses. These can need draining, medication and even surgery. Here's my story: Routine self check of the old fun bags found a lump that seemed ominous. Being a responsible breast owner i popped off to the doctors for a second opinion.... then it was mammogram, ultra sound, biopsy time... all very daunting and scary. Luckily it wasn't cancer. I had a non-lactating abcess... well between the 2 boobs there were 7. 70% of women who get these are smokers, 85% of the non-smokers are former smokers or passive smokers. Treatment has been brutal and I'm still looking at surgical options. The abcesses are monitored, then when they reach a certain size they are drained and flushed which for me always leaves bruises. Mine have been quite persistent and i spent almost 6 months on high dose antibiotics (at one stage I was taking 3000mg a day) which all you ladies know brings with it horrid side affects. I had to go through 15 draining procedures. My breasts are covered in needle scars. If I have another outbreak we need to consider surgical options. The longer you smoke, the heavier you smoke the more susceptible you become to these. Please, if you're looking for that final reason to quit...do it for ya boobies! PS.... don't forget to do self exams!

Strewth mate, 10 fricken years is a bloody ripper quit! Thanks for everything you've done to help so many of us on our journies.

-8

Popped back on the train after a long hiatus to discover this devastating news. From the first post I made at that other place Jillar was in my corner, holding me up and driving me forward. Googling her name lead me here. Never again will she make me laugh til I cry and whole she might not be here to share life with anymore her place in my heart and her touches on my soul will be with me for ever. Having Jillar in my life was a blessing and an honour I did not deserve.

-5

Emmett

-12

Rigger

-12

-11

Here's a not so fun fact... 67% of non-lactating breast abcesses are the result of smoking. 89% of those are re-occuring and require surgery. Even a decade post quit former smokers are still more likely to develop breast abcesses regardless of age than non-smokers. BUT... quiting reduces the risk. So, if you need another reason to quit and stay quit... boob abcesses are no fun, not at all, not one bit.. recover is long, surgeries a bitch. Protect your ta-tas... butt out and NOPE.

6. Make a Milo

Journo (journalist)

Long walks on the beach

Congrats on 3 great years. Well done.

-2

Endocrinologist

Congrats on 7 ripper years. Seems like yesterday but wow time sure has flown.

Yoga instructor

Happy Straya Day your smoke free marvels... https://youtu.be/9LKrFZFTHas?si=fwnUrDqEpAIQQrJD

Happy birthday to one of the most inspiring and giving people I've ever had the honour of knowing. I hope you had an amazingly wonderful day and were spoiled completely.

Chrissy music in Aus can be a little... different....

2 is the lie.