Whether you’ve been smoking a long time, or just during some tough times over the years, I understand smoking may be part of you. It may be the first thing you do when you wake up — a stress relief on the way into another long day of work or that quick break during the day from the kids. Perhaps it’s a cigar after Thanksgiving meal with your family that keeps you smoking. It gets you going in the morning, calms you down and gives you those few drags of peace each time.
Some patients say their parents smoked, and evidence clearly shows that if you smoke, your kids and grandkids will very likely start smoking. Some say they started in college — I remember the vendors handing out free stuff at the bars to get kids to smoke in college. Perhaps it was the death of a loved one, which is so hard, that had you reach for a cigarette.
There’s good news, your body will remember how to feel without smoking! It’s not easy. On average, it takes seven to eight times, and often a spouse or friend may still smoke around you. There are many options to help you quit, and chances are you’ve tried many of them. They’re not perfect, but each time you try to quit, it’s a step in the right direction. You’re learning the best way for you to quit, and preparing to enjoy life without this nicotine ... this habit ... this addiction ... this struggle.
We have a lot of fancy tests, preventive screenings, recommendations and more recommendations for your health. But in the end, throwing out the tobacco is the single most important thing you can do for yourself, your kids and your grandkids. Help them live a healthier and freer life by helping yourself live a healthier and more enjoyable life.
My dad smoked till he was 60. I think he quit 10 times, maybe 15, before finally quitting. Everyone smoked when he grew up, and it was a struggle to quit. It was part of him, a pleasure, and a de-stressor. But you could see him starting to struggle with his breathing over time on stairs, on hills, on projects. Fortunately, after many attempts, he quit. I’m so fortunate to have him healthier in my life, trying to keep up with his five grandchildren under 4.
It was easier for me to quit smoking. I started smoking in college because my dad did, my friends did and because tobacco companies handed out free stuff. I had a rude awakening early in medical school though, and quit after six years. It was hard, but seeing what it takes from the lives of patients and their families over and over again made it much easier for me to quit than many.
More recently, two older patients I had seen for six years in my young career as a family physician died from smoking and emphysema. I told them each that if they kept smoking, the illnesses would increase, last longer and require more medicine and more hospitalizations. The hospitalizations get longer and more frequent. There’s not much worse than not being able to breath, or watching a loved one not able to breathe. Her mother moved from the hospital to the skilled nursing facility, home then back to the hospital, and so on. The patient became terrified to leave the house, and even her bedroom, as the medicine stopped working over the last few months. Many people think if they smoke, they’ll just go quick. But unfortunately it’s the opposite.
I find most smokers want to quit, but they don’t know how. We can and will help you with this. There’s never a better time to quit than now, because it will only get harder. But be assured that your friends will be there for you, your family will be there for you, your kids and grandkids will be there for you. And if not, at the very least, I will be there for you.
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