Minnie Mouse

Great announcement for those who don't know (and reminder for those who already do!). I had my annual low dose CT scan done on Friday (it is done every year for me). Just received the results back today which is more comprehensive than "just" the lungs in its detail. Mine is totally paid for as a high risk former smoker. (Different eligibility for "Gold Standard" testing here it appears.) Yes it absolutely saves lives as I'm sure we probably all personally know someone who benefited from this test. Happy Holidays to all!

Sorry your post was overlooked. It happens. But here's the thing ... kudos for talking/responding to yourself & pumping yourself up. First and foremost, we must be our own biggest supporter and seek out what works for us, bit by bit, site by site, looking for those words of wisdom that speak to us, whatever it takes. I was a member of Quitnet and then NOPE until the owner pulled the plug in August this year. I also AM a member of EX (no longer very active on it) just like here. I drop in from time to time and comment if I think it might help someone. At over 13 years quit I no longer need support but if I ever did I would get myself right back to the basics that supported me in the early days. These "nests" are always here for us. I encourage you to read the info already recommended. Read, read, read. Educate yourself. Find the snippets (sentences, words, thoughts) that speak to you from the resources here and elsewhere. Read "Nicotine Addiction 101" on the whyquit.com site and other articles there. It's so important to understand how we can help ourselves get out from under active nicotine addiction and keep it dormant forever. Perspective means everything. Use all the tools available. Pledge daily. Be accountable. We all started where you are at and worked ourselves through it to get to the other side of addiction. You absolutely can do it too. Keep posting. Best Wishes.

@lookmawatchmecrash You can quit once and for all ... believe it! None of us with long quits are super human beings endowed with special powers to quit smoking. We did the hard work in the beginning to get to where it no longer is even an issue for us. It's a choice. It always will be. Join us.

That's it! Keep your focus ahead! You got this!

The question to ask yourself is not do you want a cigarette but rather do you want to be a full fledged smoker again. It's never "just" one. They always travel in packs. You already made the choice to quit. No reason to rethink it. Do anything but smoke. The want will pass if you let it. You can stay quit.

"I've become convinced that while I absolutely quit for a better life, I also quit for a better death." This was my bottom line motivation for quitting. I absolutely did not want to be in active addiction at the end of my life, especially if I found myself in a care situation due to a stroke or heart attack. Couldn't imagine any facility or family member supplying & babysitting me while I smoked. Absolutely didn't want to go through withdrawal (physically, emotionally, psychologically) while bed or wheel chair bound. Etc. etc. As a former QuitNet member I remember reading your personal profile page when I joined there at six months quit. It definitely had a impact on me to stay the course. Thanks for sharing. Sorry for your personal life circumstances. Hope we have both done enough (quit smoking & took steps to regain better health) to change our end. Best Wishes.

One month and fourteen days is truly awesome since the early days are the hardest. Yes, never look back cause you are no longer going that way. Keep it up one day, one week, at a time ... .

Great choice! It appears you have three weeks under your belt already. That's great! Is this your first quit, your tenth quit, or your 100th quit?!? A little smoking history might help AND are you using NRT, meds, or going "smart" turkey? I see you are already participating in the games here which is so much better than bonking your head against the wall! Humor helps. Best wishes.

Keep off the Merry-Go-Round. Instead of always running to "try" to catch onto smobriety ... jump on instead, fully committed, and hang on tight NO MATTER WHAT. You CAN do it too. Commit/make a promise to yourself and then keep your focus ahead. No going back. Believe in yourself. I hope you reach your "Aha" moment.

Until you take smoking as an option for yourself off the table you will continue riding the relapse Merry-Go-Round. In my personal experience, it got harder and harder to jump back into another quit. I kept "trying" again and again until I decided I never wanted to go through those early days/weeks/months ever again. Once and for all I had to finally choose not to smoke ... NO MATTER HOW I FELT, NO MATTER WHAT I TOLD MYSELF, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I told myself that no matter how hard it got, no matter how long it took, that I would not smoke because I knew that only then would I eventually "get to the other side" of this active addiction and be a happy non-smoker. You are making & telling yourself a lot of BS excuses. It's an inside (mindset) job only you can change up for yourself. You don't have to smoke. You don't need to smoke. You CAN quit. It will always be a choice.

A re-post from one of the most prolific and inspirational writers at the former Quit Net site. (Quit 4-12-03; Passed 5-20-14). A favorite so true quote I like, "Those at the top of a mountain didn't just fall there." They got there one step, one hurdle at a time. Fill yourself with wisdom (knowledge, understanding, commitment) and then begin again. It's doable. You can do it too. Believe it! ****************************************************************** "The Bumps Are What You Climb On!" From Titotiger on 11/21/2011 10:08:31 AM A little boy was leading his sister up a mountain path and the way was not too easy. "Why, this isn't a path at all," the little girl complained. "It's all rocky and bumpy." Her brother replied, "Of course it is. The bumps are what you climb on." Nobody climbs to the top of the mountain without some challenges along the way; a few "bumps" if you will. Everybody has to do a gut check sooner or later and ask themselves, "Do I really want to climb this mountain? Are the bumps along the path boulders that are going to block my way, or will I use them as stepping stones to get to the top?" You know, lots of people here have climbed the same mountain you're climbing. And many, if not most, like you have found that the path had a lot more bumps than they anticipated. Is that how you feel? And when faced with some really big bumps have you ever entertained the thought of quitting. Have you thought, "Why not take the easy way out and give up?" The answer is because you wouldn't be here unless you wanted to climb the mountain. This is a mountain you know you have to climb, regardless of the bumps. Others have climbed it and you're going to climb it too. You're determined! Remember, the bumps are what you climb on; they're actually stepping stones to higher ground. Whatever it takes and no matter what keep climbing and I'll..... See You At The Top Dave 3,145 Days Quit *******************************************************

Is 4 months of smobriety a pattern for you? Just wondering because if it is it will keep being a major milestone hiccup for you until you overcome that time period of struggle. I'm sure you have heard & know all the things I could say & what you are probably already saying to yourself. The best helping hand for each of us is always the one attached to our own arm first. Hopefully you will choose to begin again sooner rather than later (destroy the rest of the pack!). Read/re-read Nicotine Addiction 101 at whyquit.com. It certainly helped me look at smoking in an entirely different way and was a game changer for me. Smoking doesn't help us through life stresses it just seems that way until we truly understand our addiction to nicotine. You can quit and stay quit. Don't give up. Begin again.

Awesome @Kdad! Keep it up!

Congrats on 12 Years Smoke Free (& counting UP)! Outstanding accomplishment! Keep enjoying your Freedom!