SD.

Thank you.

I woke up to a beautiful morning with a clean attitude.

Trying to decide what I can do that won't affect my physical recovery and keep me occupied for this mental recovery. I think I'll take my dog swimming.

 

KTQ

Glad you made it home Stew and I bet you are too!!

 

Unfortunately our addiction does not care a tinker's damn what's going on in our bodies or what the state of our health is, in fact it's a perfect time to attack us with cravings, when it believes we're at our weakest. Good that you actually realize what's going on there and still have the will to deny those powerful cravings. That's a great sign that you're ready to beat this thing on a long term basis.

Keep busy, stay occupied and good health to you!

Glad you are home now Stew!  Those cravings will go away, you know that, so just stick with it and come on here every day, if you can! You know the drill. You will do it!!💪👍

Thanks all.

Knowing my lifesavers are out there really helps.

Just listing comments adds confidence and the ability to redirect a crave. I remember these nasty ones and the "battle within" that has to be dealt with. TIME.

 

I will KMQ today.😎

 

Your cravings returning home to your safe haven after such a traumatic experience is absolutely understandable.  And since you DO understand the why, and know that time smoke free makes it "eventually" better I wish you patience.  Keep moving through them, whatever it takes to come out the other side of this addiction.  You've done it before ... rinse, repeat.  Welcome home!  

Good to hear your home 

Be armed and ready , when that monster comes calling 

Your already a Non Smoker , all you have to do is stay that way , spending time with your furry friend sounds a Great way to spend some time 

It will keep you active too 

Post everyday … 🐸

 

Thanks girls I appreciate the comments more than you know.

 

Time for a walk.

 

 

I'm glad you're home.  Before you even get out of bed each morning, start with a positive affirmation.  It can be something simple like, "I'm glad I don't have to smoke anymore."  Attitude is a big part of quitting.

22 minutes ago, Paul723 said:

I'm glad you're home.  Before you even get out of bed each morning, start with a positive affirmation.  It can be something simple like, "I'm glad I don't have to smoke anymore."  Attitude is a big part of quitting.

Thanks for your input, Paul.

When I wake, I take a big deep breath and start the day with a hug for my wife and a smile. Getting through the morning coffee is a little I guess cumbersome but taking the dog out and deep breathing is my fix. Seems to work for the mornings.

KTQ Stew.

So happy you are home. Just take it a day at a time, stay busy, stay positive. Your health is everything.

3 hours ago, catlover said:

So happy you are home. Just take it a day at a time, stay busy, stay positive. Your health is everything.

Thanks so much Cat.

I am "slowly" staying busy changing an old flower bed to include a new Magnolia tree.

That sudden, powerful craving from out of the blue, well past the initial "hell phase" is what got me every time the last two years of trying and failing to keep the quit. And smoking would be absolutely absurd considering your condition, yet the intense craving hits regardless. Stay strong, Stewbum. KTQ!

Thanks Pilgrim.

The daily tough times do really test a person's resolve. The thoughts of Puffin Pain and cardiac arrest are a little stronger for now!

Still doesn't make the cravings any less powerful.

KTQ .

@Stewbum and @Pilgrim You will get through it because the longer you don't smoke, the more the withdrawal will go away.👍 If I can quit, anyone can! The only thing that will take it away is not smoking and time.  I remember how impatient I was because I wanted the cravings to go away on Day 1, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way.  Just keep doing what you are doing and you both will succeed. 💪

Nopin from the mountains until Tuesday night. The cravings have been fairly light since I've been here. Got rid of all remnants of smoking. The fireplace in the gazebo had lots of buts so burned a monster fire 1st night. Then cleaned the ash pile and dumped it. 

On 6/13/2026 at 1:50 AM, Paul723 said:

I'm glad you're home.  Before you even get out of bed each morning, start with a positive affirmation.  It can be something simple like, "I'm glad I don't have to smoke anymore."  Attitude is a big part of quitting.

Gday

I used to say…. I have a bushman’s breakfast. A pee a smoke then a quik look about.

Or …. I always exercise before have my first smoke. I Run to the loo then have a smoke. A way of protecting my frail ego and justify my habit.

So the narrative in your head has to change. Like Paul said face it with Attitude!

 

 

I forgot how long this lethargy lasted for me. Seems to be dragging on? I know I wrote about this during the last quit I will have to keep looking.

 

KTQ 

Well shit 5 nitro last night after working hard in the heat. I guess too hard? And I guess I don't know how to take it easy when it comes to work. A lifetime of being proud of bustin ass and to slow down is something that doesn't come easy, in fact I don't even know I've taken it too far until it's too late.

With the last stents having to use nitro was fairly rare now it's still fairly constant. My cardiologist's comment to this is what 66 year old man with heart disease and 6 stents in place works like you do, turns out she had talked with my daughter.

I said my father...🤨

 

Spending this evening continuing my search for the right bypass surgeon since there is no doubt it's coming.

Sorry about the depressive post but needed to ramble.

 

Damn frickin cigarettes!

To you new quitters, like myself, stick to your guns and take that crap off the table, do it for keeps before you finally understand what you are doing is what's for keeps!!!
 

KTQ

Stew

11 hours ago, Stewbum said:

Well shit 5 nitro last night after working hard in the heat. I guess too hard? And I guess I don't know how to take it easy when it comes to work. A lifetime of being proud of bustin ass and to slow down is something that doesn't come easy, in fact I don't even know I've taken it too far until it's too late.

With the last stents having to use nitro was fairly rare now it's still fairly constant. My cardiologist's comment to this is what 66 year old man with heart disease and 6 stents in place works like you do, turns out she had talked with my daughter.

I said my father...🤨

 

Spending this evening continuing my search for the right bypass surgeon since there is no doubt it's coming.

Sorry about the depressive post but needed to ramble.

 

Damn frickin cigarettes!

To you new quitters, like myself, stick to your guns and take that crap off the table, do it for keeps before you finally understand what you are doing is what's for keeps!!!
 

KTQ

Stew

AMEN BROTHER!! (He says after having a 2nd session of radiation for lung cancer.)😡 Snuff those nasty things out for good before they do the same to YOU!

On 8/15/2026 at 4:07 AM, Stewbum said:

Well shit 5 nitro last night after working hard in the heat. I guess too hard? And I guess I don't know how to take it easy when it comes to work. A lifetime of being proud of bustin ass and to slow down is something that doesn't come easy, in fact I don't even know I've taken it too far until it's too late.

With the last stents having to use nitro was fairly rare now it's still fairly constant. My cardiologist's comment to this is what 66 year old man with heart disease and 6 stents in place works like you do, turns out she had talked with my daughter.

I said my father...🤨

 

Spending this evening continuing my search for the right bypass surgeon since there is no doubt it's coming.

Sorry about the depressive post but needed to ramble.

 

Damn frickin cigarettes!

To you new quitters, like myself, stick to your guns and take that crap off the table, do it for keeps before you finally understand what you are doing is what's for keeps!!!
 

KTQ

Stew

It's not easy to slow down when you're used to working hard!  You're right to be prepared and search for a good bypass surgeon now rather than later although I can only imagine it's difficult to come to terms with having to go through this procedure. 

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!   

More tests and ER visits and nitro. They want to go back in.

Started on new meds and will give it a few days but can't live this way anymore.

Looks like I am going to find some better care before the widow maker takes me out. 

 

Seattle area is where I am going but will need to move cardiology to Overlake hospital. It's about 60 miles from me. The bypass surgeon that I settled on is also there. The Cath lab can also just start the bypass when I am on the table.

 

Now to go through the work for all of the referrals required.

An episode is starting as I am writing this....

 

I would enjoy being more active here hope y'all understand.

 

KTQ

Stew. 

 

 

Hang in there @Stewbum! Cardiac stuff is scary, but I am glad you are getting yourself an experienced team. Bypass surgeons are hotshots and they know how to help. Something like 400,000 bypasses are done in the US every year, so put yourself in good hands. We’re all pulling for you!

Thinking of you and your family as you go through this life changing event. Go get the great care you need and deserve! Post as often as you feel like it. I think you topped the list on the "bestest" reason to keep your quit! 🙃

Sorry to hear about this issue Stew😢 Not an easy time for you but I'm convinced you'll get through it. We'll be here to support you and we will all be thinking of you & wishing for the best outcome and your complete and speedy recovery🙏