Last night was the first night of an 8 week American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking class that I am attending. I have smoked for way too many years and I am so ready to give it up. I do not have the strength or willpower to just lay them down and quit cold turkey, I know that. So, my sister, and a co-worker of mine have decided to go to this class and do it together. I am really, really ready to quit. My actual quit day is Feb 1st. In the next 8 weeks we will be learning how to quit for life. Part of our homework assignment was to let you our family and friends know so that they can be there to support us in our decision. So, friends I am letting you know. Say a prayer, or if you don't pray, keep those fingers crossed for us. I will keep you updated on our progress! I have decided that after I quit, instead of going into a store to buy cigs, I will go by the ATM and get that $$ out and take it home and put it in a jar. I will use that $$ to pay for probably 1/2 of my vacation in June. I can do this, and I will do this!
Replies
96Beach Fanatic
Crazy how you never notice how bad your clothes smell of nicotine until you no longer smoke. Every one said you could quit and you are. Be proud of yourself.
SoWal Guide
good for you Darlene! I hope you will reward yourself with a massage or facial or something relaxing. you deserve it! for the rest of the year at least!
Darlene is my middle name, not my nicknameAuthor
The phone call no mother wants to get...
Yesterday afternoon I get a call from Jesse screaming, crying "Mom, I had a wreck"! After I asked him if he was ok. I told him to call 911. I asked if any other cars were involved and he said no. I knew in my heart right where it happened. Big curve, by his high school. Wet roads, curve, going to fast, recipe for disaster. I arrived at the scene to a mob of people and rescue personnel. After I saw him, and hugged him and asked again if he was alright, I asked him how fast he was going. He said "too fast, I am sorry mom through his tears". I looked down in the ravine and almost lost it. That is when it sunk in to me how lucky he was.
State Trooper gave him a speech about how many parents he has had to tell that their kids did not make it. He said you are lucky. Do you understand now why we have speed limits? "Yes, sir" from Jesse. Enough said.
Car bought a few months ago....totaled.
A son that was scared to death, but alive.
Mom and dad scared to death.
Through it all, I did not smoke.
Which, is why I posted this here. If I can get through something like this without smoking, then I for sure think I might have this licked. I was proud of myself. 
p.s. Everyday, everyday right before Jesse walked out of this house I would say to him "Be careful, don't speed". Guess he thought, as he told me last night that nothing would ever happen. I am a firm believer that something good always come out of something bad. If this does nothing else but slow him and his friends down, then it was not in vain.....
Yesterday afternoon I get a call from Jesse screaming, crying "Mom, I had a wreck"! After I asked him if he was ok. I told him to call 911. I asked if any other cars were involved and he said no. I knew in my heart right where it happened. Big curve, by his high school. Wet roads, curve, going to fast, recipe for disaster. I arrived at the scene to a mob of people and rescue personnel. After I saw him, and hugged him and asked again if he was alright, I asked him how fast he was going. He said "too fast, I am sorry mom through his tears". I looked down in the ravine and almost lost it. That is when it sunk in to me how lucky he was.
State Trooper gave him a speech about how many parents he has had to tell that their kids did not make it. He said you are lucky. Do you understand now why we have speed limits? "Yes, sir" from Jesse. Enough said.
Car bought a few months ago....totaled.
A son that was scared to death, but alive.
Mom and dad scared to death.
Through it all, I did not smoke.
Which, is why I posted this here. If I can get through something like this without smoking, then I for sure think I might have this licked. I was proud of myself. 
p.s. Everyday, everyday right before Jesse walked out of this house I would say to him "Be careful, don't speed". Guess he thought, as he told me last night that nothing would ever happen. I am a firm believer that something good always come out of something bad. If this does nothing else but slow him and his friends down, then it was not in vain.....
SoWal Insider
Yesterday afternoon I get a call from Jesse screaming, crying "Mom, I had a wreck"! After I asked him if he was ok. I told him to call 911. I asked if any other cars were involved and he said no. I knew in my heart right where it happened. Big curve, by his high school. Wet roads, curve, going to fast, recipe for disaster. I arrived at the scene to a mob of people and rescue personnel. After I saw him, and hugged him and asked again if he was alright, I asked him how fast he was going. He said "too fast, I am sorry mom through his tears". I looked down in the ravine and almost lost it. That is when it sunk in to me how lucky he was.
State Trooper gave him a speech about how many parents he has had to tell that their kids did not make it. He said you are lucky. Do you understand now why we have speed limits? "Yes, sir" from Jesse. Enough said.
Car bought a few months ago....totaled.
A son that was scared to death, but alive.
Mom and dad scared to death.
Through it all, I did not smoke.Which, is why I posted this here. If I can get through something like this without smoking, then I for sure think I might have this licked. I was proud of myself.
p.s. Everyday, everyday right before Jesse walked out of this house I would say to him "Be careful, don't speed". Guess he thought, as he told me last night that nothing would ever happen. I am a firm believer that something good always come out of something bad. If this does nothing else but slow him and his friends down, then it was not in vain.....
Thank God he is alright and I am so proud of you. The last couple of times I quit before this one, someone in the family always died on me and I picked my smokes back up. I know now, that I don't have to have them to help me cope. That was a big test for you yesterday and you passed. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



needs to get out more
Kdwells, glad your son is ok. Hopefully this lesson will stick with him for life.
CONGRATULATIONS on not needing needing a cigarette to get you through it. It appears you are well on your way to being a non-smoker. Keep it up. Good luck. Keep yourself honest by continuing to post here on your progress.
CONGRATULATIONS on not needing needing a cigarette to get you through it. It appears you are well on your way to being a non-smoker. Keep it up. Good luck. Keep yourself honest by continuing to post here on your progress.
Beach Fanatic
I am the mother of 2 driving teenagers, and your story scares me to death. So very glad it was only the car that was damaged.
Keep up the good work... we're all rooting for you!! Sounds like you are winning the battle.
Keep up the good work... we're all rooting for you!! Sounds like you are winning the battle.
Beach Fanatic
Kathy, I am so glad that your son is OK. Being a parent of 4 kids, I know what you went through and it is not easy. You just keep thinking how much worse it could have been but for the grace of God. I am also glad that you didn't light up. That is a testament to your will-power and proves to you that you can do anything once you set your mind to it. Even when tragedy strikes you are still in control. Continued good luck and again so very glad that your son is OK. Dan
Beach Fanatic
Thank God your son is OK 
The no smoking thing is a no brainer for you- you were always a strong woman.
Best in life to you

The no smoking thing is a no brainer for you- you were always a strong woman.
Best in life to you

SoWal Guide
oh darlene!!!!!!! you and Jesse must have both felt so scared and relieved at the same time! I can't imagine. but most teens are going to have an auto incident of some kind - it scares the heck out of me to even think about it for my son (future driver), all my neices and nephews and all the driving teens I know and love!!! I am so glad he is okay. may the incident bring even more awareness into Jesse's driving safety!
SoWal Expert
I just copied your post and sent it to Will- wow. I am so relieved Jesse is OK-
Jesse has an awesome mom- I bet he knows that though--;-)
Jesse has an awesome mom- I bet he knows that though--;-)

SWGB
Glad he is okay and congrats on avoiding the nicotine.
SoWal Insider
Thank God Jesse is alright. Perhaps this will slow him down, a wreck will usually do it! Teenagers think nothing will happen to them and sometimes it takes something happening to them to open their eyes.
I'm so proud you did not pick up a cancer stick! Yay, for you. I have been thinking about you and wondered how it was going. Keep it up!
I'm so proud you did not pick up a cancer stick! Yay, for you. I have been thinking about you and wondered how it was going. Keep it up!
needs to get out more
...I'll quit one day too. I just have to deal with the two most annoying people on earth and then...
Do tell.

You know I'm pulling for you to quit. And, you also know that you gotta wanna...
Beach Fanatic
Glad to hear your son is ok, and that you were able to resist.
SoWal Expert
Oh my gosh, Darlene! I am so glad Jesse's ok. I have had no doubt that you were going to succeed with the no smokee. I knew it in your first post. 



SWGB
Do tell.
You know I'm pulling for you to quit. And, you also know that you gotta wanna...
I know, my goal is to look like my avatars by the end of the summer. A certain wonderful doctor is gonna help me out with some Chantix. ;-)
SoWal Insider
Darlene, I almost cried when I read this! I am so glad Jesse was not hurt and that no one else was hurt! Expensive lesson for him!
Keep up your strength! I know you are determined and that is 99% of quitting smoking! Congratulations for passing this test; you will be fine!!
Keep up your strength! I know you are determined and that is 99% of quitting smoking! Congratulations for passing this test; you will be fine!!
margarita brocolia
.
OK - my keyboard is sufficiently wet.
I too am copying and pasting this to my daughter.
One down for the school of hard knocks for Jesse. And a big congrats to you KDW!
.
OK - my keyboard is sufficiently wet.
I too am copying and pasting this to my daughter.
One down for the school of hard knocks for Jesse. And a big congrats to you KDW!
.
SoWal Insider
Darlene,
This literally made me weak in the knees when I read this. I'm sorry about his car. However, I am so happy he was able to walk away unscathed, except maybe his idea about his invincibility and his car. I know you all were scared to death! Rightfully so.
I am so proud of you for not smoking. If there was ever a test, you've passed it with flying colors. May the rest of your hurdles be small.
Give that boy a hug for me and tell him I am glad he's ok!
This literally made me weak in the knees when I read this. I'm sorry about his car. However, I am so happy he was able to walk away unscathed, except maybe his idea about his invincibility and his car. I know you all were scared to death! Rightfully so.
I am so proud of you for not smoking. If there was ever a test, you've passed it with flying colors. May the rest of your hurdles be small.
Give that boy a hug for me and tell him I am glad he's ok!
Beach Fanatic
I just saw this thread. You are doing an amazing thing and very well. Hang in there, and it will be worth the time and effort. Way to go!
SoWal Expert
I just saw this thread. You are doing an amazing thing and very well. Hang in there, and it will be worth the time and effort. Way to go!
IWIWT!SoWal Insider
I haven't looked at this thread in a few days... Wow KDW! So glad your Jesse is okay and that you handled yourself so well. My son is 20 now and by the grace of God, we've never gotten 'that call'. It hasn't kept me from worrying about him though. I'm sure Jesse has learned a valuable life lesson and he'll be more careful in the future. All the best! 

Darlene is my middle name, not my nicknameAuthor
My weekly check-in.
3 weeks yesterday nicotine free. I never imagined that I would say one day free and now here I am 3 weeks free. Notice I said free, yes free from the control of nicotine over me.
I have not taken any Chantix since the 5th of February. I forgot to take it on the 6th and never had the urge to smoke, so I just quit taking it. It helped me over the hump and now it is a choice that I have to make from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day. For 3 weeks I have made the choice not to smoke. It has not always been easy that is for sure. I have been through some very stressful situations in the last few weeks, I chose not to smoke and I got through them.
A couple of things I am dealing with right now that I am not sure is Chantix related or nicotine withdrawal...I have this terrible ringing in my ears that will not go away. It is driving me CRAZY. Also, insomnia....me who could sleep anywhere anytime is struggling to sleep. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow to discuss it.
Thank you all for your support and concern about Jesse. He is doing ok. Still haven't heard if his car his totaled or not. Maybe I will hear something this week.

3 weeks yesterday nicotine free. I never imagined that I would say one day free and now here I am 3 weeks free. Notice I said free, yes free from the control of nicotine over me. I have not taken any Chantix since the 5th of February. I forgot to take it on the 6th and never had the urge to smoke, so I just quit taking it. It helped me over the hump and now it is a choice that I have to make from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day. For 3 weeks I have made the choice not to smoke. It has not always been easy that is for sure. I have been through some very stressful situations in the last few weeks, I chose not to smoke and I got through them.
A couple of things I am dealing with right now that I am not sure is Chantix related or nicotine withdrawal...I have this terrible ringing in my ears that will not go away. It is driving me CRAZY. Also, insomnia....me who could sleep anywhere anytime is struggling to sleep. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow to discuss it.
Thank you all for your support and concern about Jesse. He is doing ok. Still haven't heard if his car his totaled or not. Maybe I will hear something this week.

SoWal Expert
Darlene, thanks for checking in. I think of you every day and pray that your struggle will get easier. I hate hearing about the ringing in your ears. Hope the doc can help. Please let us know what he says. Glad Jesse's ok--cars can be replaced. Love you. 

Darlene is my middle name, not my nicknameAuthor
Kdwells, glad your son is ok. Hopefully this lesson will stick with him for life.
CONGRATULATIONS on not needing needing a cigarette to get you through it. It appears you are well on your way to being a non-smoker. Keep it up. Good luck. Keep yourself honest by continuing to post here on your progress.
John R....thank you. Honestly, knowing that I am accountable helps more than anything.
Thank God he is alright and I am so proud of you. The last couple of times I quit before this one, someone in the family always died on me and I picked my smokes back up. I know now, that I don't have to have them to help me cope. That was a big test for you yesterday and you passed. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yes, I am going to face stress for the rest of my life, we all are. We just have to decide how we are going to deal it. I am going to deal with it by not smoking.

I am the mother of 2 driving teenagers, and your story scares me to death. So very glad it was only the car that was damaged.
Keep up the good work... we're all rooting for you!! Sounds like you are winning the battle.
Thank you. Stress to those sweet teenagers of yours that speed kills. Keep drilling it into their heads. Hopefully they will get it.
Kathy, I am so glad that your son is OK. Being a parent of 4 kids, I know what you went through and it is not easy. You just keep thinking how much worse it could have been but for the grace of God. I am also glad that you didn't light up. That is a testament to your will-power and proves to you that you can do anything once you set your mind to it. Even when tragedy strikes you are still in control. Continued good luck and again so very glad that your son is OK. Dan
Thank you friend.....
oh darlene!!!!!!! you and Jesse must have both felt so scared and relieved at the same time! I can't imagine. but most teens are going to have an auto incident of some kind - it scares the heck out of me to even think about it for my son (future driver), all my neices and nephews and all the driving teens I know and love!!! I am so glad he is okay. may the incident bring even more awareness into Jesse's driving safety!
I know....I was kind of naive thinking I would never get that "call". I do believe though that this is a lesson learned for him and his friends. We can't live our lives in fear that is for sure, we just have to trust that if/when they make mistakes they learn from them.
I just copied your post and sent it to Will- wow. I am so relieved Jesse is OK-
Jesse has an awesome mom- I bet he knows that though--;-)
I hope Will will learn from Jesse's mistake and know that speed limits are posted for a reason. I am not sure about the awesome mom...but I try.

Glad he is okay and congrats on avoiding the nicotine.
Thanks sweetie....made that doc appointment yet? ;-)
Thank God Jesse is alright. Perhaps this will slow him down, a wreck will usually do it! Teenagers think nothing will happen to them and sometimes it takes something happening to them to open their eyes.
I'm so proud you did not pick up a cancer stick! Yay, for you. I have been thinking about you and wondered how it was going. Keep it up!
Thanks BB. I think we all felt like nothing would happen to us that is for sure.
Oh my gosh, Darlene! I am so glad Jesse's ok. I have had no doubt that you were going to succeed with the no smokee. I knew it in your first post.Oh, DD. So glad you have faith in me!!!

I know, my goal is to look like my avatars by the end of the summer. A certain wonderful doctor is gonna help me out with some Chantix. ;-)
Good start taking it!
Darlene, I almost cried when I read this! I am so glad Jesse was not hurt and that no one else was hurt! Expensive lesson for him!
Keep up your strength! I know you are determined and that is 99% of quitting smoking! Congratulations for passing this test; you will be fine!!
Thank you dear!
.
OK - my keyboard is sufficiently wet.
I too am copying and pasting this to my daughter.
One down for the school of hard knocks for Jesse. And a big congrats to you KDW!.
Hi Rita....hope your daughter will learn from Jesse's mistake. Thank you for your support!
Darlene,
This literally made me weak in the knees when I read this. I'm sorry about his car. However, I am so happy he was able to walk away unscathed, except maybe his idea about his invincibility and his car. I know you all were scared to death! Rightfully so.
I am so proud of you for not smoking. If there was ever a test, you've passed it with flying colors. May the rest of your hurdles be small.
Give that boy a hug for me and tell him I am glad he's ok!
Thank you my dear. Hugs given.

I just saw this thread. You are doing an amazing thing and very well. Hang in there, and it will be worth the time and effort. Way to go!
IWIWT!!! Wow! So good to "see" you. Thank you!
I haven't looked at this thread in a few days... Wow KDW! So glad your Jesse is okay and that you handled yourself so well. My son is 20 now and by the grace of God, we've never gotten 'that call'. It hasn't kept me from worrying about him though. I'm sure Jesse has learned a valuable life lesson and he'll be more careful in the future. All the best!
Thank you sweetie!!!!
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.