I am truly sorry to hear that Les.  I hope your mom sticks it out for a good long time to come.  Sometimes we just get lucky, despite what the doctors say.

I smoked for about seven years and I wonder, sometimes, whether I’m still carrying a debt that I haven’t even paid for yet.

After watching my mom spend a year doing chemo, I sure as hell hope I quit soon enough.

peace

My mother, too, went through chemo and the rest. She quit almost 15 years ago and didn’t start paying until the last five.  She doesn’t blame anybody but herself, and unfortunately carries around second-hand smoke guilt, as well.

Thinking good thoughts your way...for you and your mom.

I’m sorry about your mom but it really shook me to read that. I was so ready to break down and bum a smoke off someone and I have made it 5 weeks now. I hope quitting now spares me later in life but it may be too late for me. :( I have been smoking since I was a teen and I’m 33 . Gah.

The sooner you manage to quit the better off you’re likely to be. Sure, you can’t undo the damage that has been done, but you can at least avoid heaping more damage on top of what’s been done already.

Les,

I’m really sorry to hear about your mom. I admire her courage.

Kat,
Hang in there on your “quitting” adventure. 5 weeks is AWESOME! I’ve been off the things for a little over 2 years now. It’s a rollercoaster sometimes, but it can be done!

See ya,

My mother was diagnosed with COPD just two weeks ago.  She still smokes, but is trying so hard to quit.  She knows if she doesn’t she’ll be lugging an oxygen tank around the house with her on a full-time basis, and much worse.  It’s very difficult for her, as she is homebound and it drives her nuts!

I’m so sorry to hear that your mother has been diagnosed with this disease, too, Les.

My dad went a couple of years ago. Smoked four to five packs a day for forty years. News editor and writer. Doctors gave him six months to live and he lasted five years. They were not easy years. For him, or for the rest of us. Sorry to hear about it - the best to your Mom and family.