Chick, I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. I tried. I puffed, choked, coughed, and threw the thing away. But from what my smoking friends say, you should now be promoted to SUPERWOMAN!

Congratulations!!!

smile

Saundra, I so understand, I quit 3 months ago after trying many times and not even getting that far. This time I decided I needed a little help and have been using the nicorette lozenges. They seem to be better than the gum and are better than smoking. I smoked for 20+ years so I know it'll take some time and persistance, if I need a crutch so be it. Good luck, KEEP TRYING NOT MATTER WHAT

Two years ago on 1st April I smoked my very last cigarette.....

The fact that this momentous event was followed, within hours, by my heart attack made the moment even more memorable. Memorable because - despite ignoring all the warnings for years - I am among the 'lucky ones' who are still around to tell the tale.

I don't know why I chose to ignore all the advice of 'everyone'. Pressure of work - Always away from home - Constant long journeys driving on my own - Most of my friends smoked too!!! So many 'reasons' that some people always saw as excuses.... No I didn't want to give up!!! It was MY life - and MY choice - and that was the end of it! Well it nearly was 'the end of it' - My life that is.

But I survived, and I'm still the same 'happy go lucky' person, though I will admit, I'm just a little bit (well quite a lot), better off financially than I was before I became a 'non smoking senior citizen'. But I'm not one of those ex-nicotine addicts who 'tut tut's every time anyone with a cigarette comes near. I remember quite clearly how nasty some people were to me (and others) when I smoked... I could never be like that!

But I will confess that I have, on just a couple of occasions felt like having a cigarette. The first time was when I was allowed to drive 'on my own' again following the HA. When I shut the car door, latched the seat belt, turned the key and moved off... habit locked in - and just for a fraction of a second - made me think 'cigarette' - and I dismissed it straight away! The second was not too long ago, having been out to a nice meal with the family and when the coffee was served, that 'cigarette thought' re-appeared... But you know what? It was followed immediately by my brain saying to me "Cigarette? But you DON'T smoke".

Then I KNEW I had won - and it feels GREAT!!!
europa

BRAVO for you and the courage not only to stop but to keep strong in your decision....Glad you're still here too by the way.

Hi, ladies. You re all so strong and I want to congratulate you on your strengths. You're positive role models and very impressive women. Thank you for all of your input. Saundra

Europa, did you have surgery after your heart attack?

Congrats on being able to kick on the habit.

Saundra,so how's it going?

Hi Dotsie...
No I didn't have surgery, but was in an 'oxygen helmet' in 'reanimation' for seven days before being moved to the Intensive Care Unit. I had 'double pneumonia' too, so that didn't help either.

But I'm fine (sort of) now - though I'll never be 'fit' again. But I'm ALIVE - that's the main thing - and life IS wonderful!
europa.

I've never heard of this treatment. Perhaps your oxygen helmet is our oxygen tent, but I don't know what reanimation is.

Glad to here you didn't have surgery. Why won't you be fit again? Don't they want you to exercise?

Hi Dotsie,
Thank you for your interest... Well the 'oxygen helmet' was a device they were trying out at the hospital in Milano where I was taken... It's like this (though here it's over a child) and is placed and fixed/sealed tightly over the patients head. It is far more efficient - so they claim - than a standard 'tent'
http://www.hbot4u.com/trinity.jpg

There are varying levels of recovery in some major hospitals here ....
Re-animation is where, upon arrival you are considered to be 'a lost case'.

That is followed by the Intensive Care Unit where you are recovered
a)If you survived the 'Re-an'.
OR
b)If when you arrived you were 'pretty bad' but not 'almost gone'.
c) Specialist units are the next level. i.e. Cardiology, Pneumology, Surgery, Maternity etc. etc.

As for being 'fit again' well - my heart was damaged, kidneys too. Lungs could be better, but I can now manage to sleep on just one pillow and on my back....., and I can - all be it VERY slowly - climb 4 flights of stairs. I had an operation on my leg in the 80's following an accident, and since then use a walking stick. I excercised at home on an 'excercise bike' but that is now becoming more painful because 'arthritis' is starting to set into my hands, wrists and knees...

But despite all these 'trials and tribulations' - life remains VERY, VERY sweet. I enjoy what I have - and feel it is such a pity when so many don't appreciate what they DO have and just 'bitch' about everything!

europa

Four flights of steps is a lot!

Isn't the bike riding good for the arthritis?

I've never heard of the helmet. Anyone from the states ever heard of that?