TOTALLY GEEKED!

ed11563 · Guru

Dear Prudence - dying from smoking

huskerbb · Guru

Jaysus. He's 77--not 47. He's going to die from something here before too long, anyway. What real difference does it make that it is this? A few years? Maybe, but we don't really know that, either.

I think this LW needs to cut the proverbial cord.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

My Dad quit smoking when he was 54.

I was 5, at the time.

He died at 79, and, he quit because he wanted to be around for us.

We thought that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue, since he had almost 25 years, smoke free, before he died. Sadly, no.

I am grateful, that he quit when he did.

I'm sure that added years to his life.

I'm 54, and still smoke.

Not a lot, but, I probably smoke 8 or 10 a day.

It's a hard habit to break.

I'll keep trying.

Hold a good thought, please.

Ohfour · Hooker

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
My Dad quit smoking when he was 54.
I was 5, at the time.
He died at 79, and, he quit because he wanted to be around for us.
We thought that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue, since he had almost 25 years, smoke free, before he died. Sadly, no.
I am grateful, that he quit when he did.
I'm sure that added years to his life.
I'm 54, and still smoke.
Not a lot, but, I probably smoke 8 or 10 a day.
It's a hard habit to break.
I'll keep trying.
Hold a good thought, please.

I'm vaping now. I LOVE IT!!!!!

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Ohfour wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
My Dad quit smoking when he was 54.
I was 5, at the time.
He died at 79, and, he quit because he wanted to be around for us.
We thought that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue, since he had almost 25 years, smoke free, before he died. Sadly, no.
I am grateful, that he quit when he did.
I'm sure that added years to his life.
I'm 54, and still smoke.
Not a lot, but, I probably smoke 8 or 10 a day.
It's a hard habit to break.
I'll keep trying.
Hold a good thought, please.

I'm vaping now. I LOVE IT!!!!!

I was vaping for a while, oh4. I did great, for a couple of months.

I kind of fell off the bandwagon. cry

I think, I just need to quit.

It must be in my DNA, or something.

I just need, to quit.

Ohfour · Hooker

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
My Dad quit smoking when he was 54.
I was 5, at the time.
He died at 79, and, he quit because he wanted to be around for us.
We thought that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue, since he had almost 25 years, smoke free, before he died. Sadly, no.
I am grateful, that he quit when he did.
I'm sure that added years to his life.
I'm 54, and still smoke.
Not a lot, but, I probably smoke 8 or 10 a day.
It's a hard habit to break.
I'll keep trying.
Hold a good thought, please.

I'm vaping now. I LOVE IT!!!!!
I was vaping for a while, oh4. I did great, for a couple of months.
I kind of fell off the bandwagon.
I think, I just need to quit.
It must be in my DNA, or something.
I just need, to quit.

I tried to smoke a regular cigarette earlier this week. It tasted horrible! LOL! I'm liking the flavored stuff. Not the fruit, but the dark stuff, spices, coffees, ones like that...

huskerbb · Guru

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
My Dad quit smoking when he was 54.
I was 5, at the time.
He died at 79, and, he quit because he wanted to be around for us.
We thought that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue, since he had almost 25 years, smoke free, before he died. Sadly, no.
I am grateful, that he quit when he did.
I'm sure that added years to his life.
I'm 54, and still smoke.
Not a lot, but, I probably smoke 8 or 10 a day.
It's a hard habit to break.
I'll keep trying.
Hold a good thought, please.

Maybe it did--but we won't ever really know.

My dad lived to be 64 and never smoked a day in his life. My old neighbor smoked like a chimney for probably 60 years--and lived to be 85.

voiceofreason · Guru

It's hard FWM. Mr.VoR quit almost a year ago. I quit in May. I struggle. He used chantax, I just stopped. I've wanted one for several days now and I'm still not sure I won't go buy a pack.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I smoked for years. Well, except for the time I was pregnant, since I was 18.

A pack a day.

I quit every time I put one out. And every time I lit another I swore it was my last.

Nothing anyone said would have made a difference.

I quit with God's help. When I got serious, I quit.

I could pick it up right now and smoke a pack. I have to make the choice to not smoke every day.

When you are really ready to quit. You will.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
My Dad quit smoking when he was 54.
I was 5, at the time.
He died at 79, and, he quit because he wanted to be around for us.
We thought that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue, since he had almost 25 years, smoke free, before he died. Sadly, no.
I am grateful, that he quit when he did.
I'm sure that added years to his life.
I'm 54, and still smoke.
Not a lot, but, I probably smoke 8 or 10 a day.
It's a hard habit to break.
I'll keep trying.
Hold a good thought, please.

If your dad could do it...you can do it!! I will send happy healing smoke free thoughts to you. Because I am a little concerned you think 8-10 a day is not a lot. You can do it!!! The power of the geeks is behind you!!

ed11563 · Guru

My father smoked two packs a day, starting when he was a teenager. He "quit" when he went into a nursing home and couldn't get them any more.

He died of "post-polio" syndrome at age 87.

My mother died at 67. She had a two millimeter lung tumor that spread to her brain. That led to brain surgery and death.

Some people will NOT get lung cancer or have heart attacks due to the effects of smoking. Most smokers WILL and DO get terminal illnesses from smoking.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Everyone will eventually die too, ed. There is nothing anyone can do to stop that either.

chef · Guru

I vividly remember an interview I did with a smoker for a research paper many years ago. She was in need of surgery (I forget for what but it was something important) and she had to quit smoking for the surgery. She chose to forgo the surgery. I still don't understand why.

voiceofreason · Guru

Life is terminal. We can quit smoking, quit drinking, exercise daily, eat healthy and die anyway. Shrug.

voiceofreason · Guru

chef wrote:
I vividly remember an interview I did with a smoker for a research paper many years ago. She was in need of surgery (I forget for what but it was something important) and she had to quit smoking for the surgery. She chose to forgo the surgery. I still don't understand why.

I know many people like this. Mental health in patients will often leave against medical advice simply for a cigarette. Or won't be admitted at all because of cigarettes. Blush, this was me more than once.

huskerbb · Guru

ed11563 wrote:
My father smoked two packs a day, starting when he was a teenager. He "quit" when he went into a nursing home and couldn't get them any more.
He died of "post-polio" syndrome at age 87.
My mother died at 67. She had a two millimeter lung tumor that spread to her brain. That led to brain surgery and death.
Some people will NOT get lung cancer or have heart attacks due to the effects of smoking. Most smokers WILL and DO get terminal illnesses from smoking.

So, in other words it's a crapshoot and all comes down to genetics, anyway.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
My father smoked two packs a day, starting when he was a teenager. He "quit" when he went into a nursing home and couldn't get them any more.
He died of "post-polio" syndrome at age 87.
My mother died at 67. She had a two millimeter lung tumor that spread to her brain. That led to brain surgery and death.
Some people will NOT get lung cancer or have heart attacks due to the effects of smoking. Most smokers WILL and DO get terminal illnesses from smoking.

So, in other words it's a crapshoot and all comes down to genetics, anyway.

No. You are at much higher risk for CERTAIN cancers if you smoke. But, it's not just cancer, it's emphysema, COPD, etc. that can shorten your life, and not make the end years too fun. Not to mention the increased risk of heart disease.

jlbear71 · Guru

Belive me, smokers know the risks. But at 77, let the man do what he wants. He is already dying. Not having that smoke will cause more stress on his body at this point than having a few puffs.

It's been three years since my last smoke. I still crave it. It smells good to me when someone is actively smoking. The second it gets put out, nasty. But I still crave it. And I am stronger than the craving.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
My father smoked two packs a day, starting when he was a teenager. He "quit" when he went into a nursing home and couldn't get them any more.
He died of "post-polio" syndrome at age 87.
My mother died at 67. She had a two millimeter lung tumor that spread to her brain. That led to brain surgery and death.
Some people will NOT get lung cancer or have heart attacks due to the effects of smoking. Most smokers WILL and DO get terminal illnesses from smoking.

So, in other words it's a crapshoot and all comes down to genetics, anyway.
No. You are at much higher risk for CERTAIN cancers if you smoke. But, it's not just cancer, it's emphysema, COPD, etc. that can shorten your life, and not make the end years too fun. Not to mention the increased risk of heart disease.

So? This guy is 77. He already has cancer. He's lived a pretty full life. What difference does it make now?

Heck, what difference would it have made if my father had smoked? He died at 64 and it wasn't lung cancer. It's not likely a few cigs would have made his life much shorter.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
My father smoked two packs a day, starting when he was a teenager. He "quit" when he went into a nursing home and couldn't get them any more.
He died of "post-polio" syndrome at age 87.
My mother died at 67. She had a two millimeter lung tumor that spread to her brain. That led to brain surgery and death.
Some people will NOT get lung cancer or have heart attacks due to the effects of smoking. Most smokers WILL and DO get terminal illnesses from smoking.

So, in other words it's a crapshoot and all comes down to genetics, anyway.
No. You are at much higher risk for CERTAIN cancers if you smoke. But, it's not just cancer, it's emphysema, COPD, etc. that can shorten your life, and not make the end years too fun. Not to mention the increased risk of heart disease.
So? This guy is 77. He already has cancer. He's lived a pretty full life. What difference does it make now?
Heck, what difference would it have made if my father had smoked? He died at 64 and it wasn't lung cancer. It's not likely a few cigs would have made his life much shorter.

Your comment was that it is a crapshoot, and it is not. Smoking CAN affect your lifespan.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Genetics can have a whole lot to do with what happens and how your body reacts to certain stimuli.

Grandma and grandpa didn't smoke. Both died in their 70s. They both dipped snuff. One had cancer of the mouth. One died of stroke nearly a decade after the first died.

Granny and pawpaw W. Pawpaw smoked a pipe now and then, granny didn't do anything. They died of old age. Both in their 90s.

Their kids, my granny R and pawpaw L. Pawpaw smoked all the time. Granny did not. He died at 78 from a stroke. Granny died at 78 from complications of brain cancer.

That is my dad's side of the family.

Mawmaw and pawpaw P. Neither smoked. Pawpaw died before I was born, diabetes. Mawmaw #1 died in child birth, mawmaw #2 died at 90 something.

Mawmaw and pawpaw U. Both smoked their whole life. They both stopped around the same time, about 10 years ago. Pawpaw died within 4 months of being diagnosed with cancer in every single cell of his body. Mawmaw will be 85 in Feb.

That is my mom's side.

All different stories. all going to end the same way. Dead.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

None of that means you shouldn't do your best to take care of your body. It's the temple for your soul.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

That isn't what I am saying.

We don't know when we will die. We don't know what will be the cause of our death.

Yes. smoking is terrible for you.

But it doesn't matter how much a person says you should stop. Until you are ready. You wont. And when you do there is no guarantee you wont die anyway.

I remember a news story in which a person had just been told they had beat cancer. Walked outside the clinic to go celebrate and got hit by a car and died.

Something is going to kill you. Even it is just old age.

ed11563 · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
That isn't what I am saying.

We don't know when we will die. We don't know what will be the cause of our death.

Yes. smoking is terrible for you.

But it doesn't matter how much a person says you should stop. Until you are ready. You wont. And when you do there is no guarantee you wont die anyway.

I remember a news story in which a person had just been told they had beat cancer. Walked outside the clinic to go celebrate and got hit by a car and died.

Something is going to kill you. Even it is just old age.

I'm hoping for this last option. Where do I sign up?

Domestic Engineer · Guru

In my dads family there were 10 kids. Eight of his siblings either smoked or dipped snuff. All of the tobacco users have died from sort of cancer. Dad and one sister never used tobacco. Both are young looking and heathy for their actual ages of 77 and 80.

Dad said if he EVER caught me smoking, he'd make sure it would be the last time I smoked. Not sure what he planned to do, but I believed him. I have never smoked anything stronger than a bubble gum cigarette.

DH's mother smoked Lucky Strikes until her death from cancer. She was in her early 50's His father never smoked, yet he had "smokers lungs" and died few years after MIL. DH has asthma, which the drs attribute to all the smoke he was exposed to as a child. I'd feel terrible if I had contributed to my husband and son's health problems.

Add me to wanting to be on the dying from old age train.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Domestic Engineer wrote:
In my dads family there were 10 kids. Eight of his siblings either smoked or dipped snuff. All of the tobacco users have died from sort of cancer. Dad and one sister never used tobacco. Both are young looking and heathy for their actual ages of 77 and 80.

Dad said if he EVER caught me smoking, he'd make sure it would be the last time I smoked. Not sure what he planned to do, but I believed him. I have never smoked anything stronger than a bubble gum cigarette.

DH's mother smoked Lucky Strikes until her death from cancer. She was in her early 50's His father never smoked, yet he had "smokers lungs" and died few years after MIL. DH has asthma, which the drs attribute to all the smoke he was exposed to as a child. I'd feel terrible if I had contributed to my husband and son's health problems.

Add me to wanting to be on the dying from old age train.

My mother has always lived in some sort of smoker's denial. Cigarette smoke makes my throat start to close up, I have a hard time breathing, and it gives me an instant headache. She calls me a hypochondriac about it - it can't possibly be true since I grew up around it.

Ohfour · Hooker

My parents both smoked when I was growing up. Mama still smokes at least a pack a day, daddy smoked more. Its actually hard to find a picture of him without a cigarette in his hand.

I smoke, but have never had any issues. My sister has never smoked, and she doesn't either. Both my kids grew up with me and my ex smoking constantly. DD doesn't smoke at all DS does when he can afford to.

ed11563 · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Domestic Engineer wrote:
In my dads family there were 10 kids. Eight of his siblings either smoked or dipped snuff. All of the tobacco users have died from sort of cancer. Dad and one sister never used tobacco. Both are young looking and heathy for their actual ages of 77 and 80.

Dad said if he EVER caught me smoking, he'd make sure it would be the last time I smoked. Not sure what he planned to do, but I believed him. I have never smoked anything stronger than a bubble gum cigarette.

DH's mother smoked Lucky Strikes until her death from cancer. She was in her early 50's His father never smoked, yet he had "smokers lungs" and died few years after MIL. DH has asthma, which the drs attribute to all the smoke he was exposed to as a child. I'd feel terrible if I had contributed to my husband and son's health problems.

Add me to wanting to be on the dying from old age train.
My mother has always lived in some sort of smoker's denial. Cigarette smoke makes my throat start to close up, I have a hard time breathing, and it gives me an instant headache. She calls me a hypochondriac about it - it can't possibly be true since I grew up around it.

Your mother is an addict and in denial. (I was going to say your mother is something else, but decided that wasn't polite.)

I think one good response to this is "HOW DARE YOU!!!" if she ever says it again.

JPT · Senior Member

I quit a 2 pack a day habit back in 1982. This was before all the cessation aids they now have. I threw out the cigarettes, gave up coffee (temporarily), took up needlework with a vengence. At the end of every day, I'd say to myself "Self, if you smoke tomorrow, you'll have to go through what today was like all over again." I did that every day for a month. Then DH asked me what I was going to do with all the money I wasn't spending on cigarettes (at the time they were about $8 a carton). He then calculated what a year's worth would cost, and told me to go buy something I wanted, and pay it out of my budget. So I got a new fangled microwave convection oven I'd been wishing for.
Paid it off, and still wasn't smoking. He then figured out 2 years worth...and we got a new bedroom set. This went on for years, and I think the last thing I bought was a Coleman tent camper.

My former habit would cost me at today's prices over $3500.

Some people have an easier time with nicotine withdrawal. Some don't. I will say that I still have very vivid dreams where I am smoking, even over 30 years later!

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
My father smoked two packs a day, starting when he was a teenager. He "quit" when he went into a nursing home and couldn't get them any more.
He died of "post-polio" syndrome at age 87.
My mother died at 67. She had a two millimeter lung tumor that spread to her brain. That led to brain surgery and death.
Some people will NOT get lung cancer or have heart attacks due to the effects of smoking. Most smokers WILL and DO get terminal illnesses from smoking.

So, in other words it's a crapshoot and all comes down to genetics, anyway.
No. You are at much higher risk for CERTAIN cancers if you smoke. But, it's not just cancer, it's emphysema, COPD, etc. that can shorten your life, and not make the end years too fun. Not to mention the increased risk of heart disease.
So? This guy is 77. He already has cancer. He's lived a pretty full life. What difference does it make now?
Heck, what difference would it have made if my father had smoked? He died at 64 and it wasn't lung cancer. It's not likely a few cigs would have made his life much shorter.
Your comment was that it is a crapshoot, and it is not. Smoking CAN affect your lifespan.

Maybe--maybe not--but so what? This guy is 77, not 47. How old do you really want to live to be, anyway? 77 is probably 5-10 years more than I'll have and I've never smoked.