1 year gone by: Without Coffin Nails 10/15

[Topcat]

I'm feeling a lot better after one year gone by without Cigarettes as of 10/15/19.

My quit story was a bit more dramatic vs. most.

On 10/5 we both went out to celebrate a late Birthday of mine: movie & dinner.

We went and saw: A Star is Born. 
During the movie; a really bad Flu was quickening. I could barely keep myself together.

We left the movie at Sunset and headed over to Texas Roadhouse for a Steak dinner.
Barely finished dinner and came home. Flopped  on couch and then to bed. I was dying.   

For 2 weeks, the Flu never left and VA refused to see me until fluid discharged from my Ear.
Finally, they saw me and did an O2 test on my finger while there. My numbers were below normal. 
I was feeling dizzy often with any movement/effort.

I decided to wait a few days to  see if I would improve. Still felt $hitty and called  them back.
They said..."We can't help you; go to ER at Palo Alto VA"

10 hours in ER and I was diagnosed with a Flu with a Pneumonia. It took a while for the petri dish results.

Sent me to a special room by midnight. Now 12 hours later. I had a really hot Nurse BTW.   
She checked me out and took care me while I was there.

Next morning Lady Dr. said "We're sending you home with O2 machine and tanks when you need to walk somewhere"
She said I'm diagnosed with COPD. Cardio Vascular Obstructive Pulmonary Diagnosis

She said if I kept smoking and using the 02, this is my new life. F#ck that! I said to myself.
Fishing, Mopars, friends and family meant a hell ova lot more!

I was Stubborn smoking 30 plus Marlboro Lights a day.

No more O2 anymore; but I do need my inhalers to keep me in check a few times per day.

I'm not leaving here that easy!

[cuda hunter]

Great for you!  The smokes are a hard thing to give up but like you said Family is way more important than a habit.

[Chryco Psycho]

Good for you , too bad you had to get that bad to realize smoking damages your health .
I am glad you made a better choice !! I enjoy having you on the site !! 

[Dakota]

Congrats on the milestone.   My dad tried a bunch of times to quit smoking.... a habit he started while in the Army for World War II.  Smoking eventually killed him as it has and will so many others.

[Jay Bee]

Holy Smokes (sorry for the pun)  . Congratulation on your achievement, way to go  . Someone once said that quitting smoking is harder to do than kicking heroin. I don't know how true that is though. I quit Jan. 2012 ( can't remember the exact date) after 43 years of it. Did you go cold turkey or use a smoking cessation aid?

[anlauto]

Way to go !

[js27]

Congratulations on your one year anniversary--Life is all about Priorities..
JS27

[torredcuda]

Good for you! It can`t be easy as I`ve seen a lot of people try and fail including my wife but she`s going to keep trying till she does. I did a lot of dumb things in my younger days but thankfully smoking butts wasn`t one of them.

[Topcat]

  Did you go cold turkey or use a smoking cessation aid?

Patch.

[72 Challenger]

Congrats!

Everyone who has seen what smoking can do is rooting for you.

[Burdar]

Breathing is something most people take for granted UNTIL they can't.  I've never been a smoker but I do have athsma.  Cold weather, dust, allergies and exercise can bring on an attack.  Hell, even laughing really hard can bring it on.  NOT FUN.  Congrats on your 1 year anniversary.  Hoping for continued success and less dependence on the inhaler.      

[JS29]

In January of 2018 I was diagnosed with chemically burnt lungs(Autobody and refinishing) diesel fumes and what not. I still have not quit smoking all together, it is tough and still trying. Good for you for doing what I have not been able to accomplish! 

[7E-Bodies]

You're to be commended, sir.

[dodj]

Congratulations Mike! 

I expect to be saying that for many more years.

[rebelyell]

Congrats man! I remember both my parents trying to quit in the 90s. They had smoked for 30 years and it nearly killed them, but they were way better off for it. My mom is now in her 70s and lifting weights in the gym.