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Irrational Fear

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3207

Atta girl, Eya! You've already figured out that smoking won't bring back a loved one or make the grief easier. Sorry for your losses. Sucks. I guess your kitty was there to comfort all of you in the beginning. Be nice to yourself. Do the things that calm you and also those that make you glad to be alive. And, like Pen said, sleep. I'm happy you're a quitter : )

-aloha

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2534

eya,

All seems bleak in the darkest hour. Not so. When the sun rises it will look different. Hang in there and try to get some sleep. You may not realise it now but things are playing out the way they should.

Week 3 huh? Congratulations! You are doing it - be proud, be very proud!

Wishes

Penitent

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 823

Perhaps am not too rational tonight - but even tho I don't know your faces, you seem like friends to me in such a short time - going into my third weekend of this Quit with the help of this online group's support. I have done well today I suppose. I have not smoked. When my Dad's cancer became palliative in Dec last year, it was a such a sad time over the holiday that we decided to cheer up the family with a baby kitten (who looked just like Lainey's avatar). We loved our little guy very much - he brought such joy to our somber house. He died today from Congestive Heart Failure at 16 weeks old. We miss him very much. And I can't sleep again; no kitty to cuddle! My Dad gone in Jan. Normally in this situation, I'd probably smoke many vanilla tipped cigars and drink too much red wine. But tonite I am writing this post instead and remembering to say NOPE. But am not doing very good to send positive msgs today.

But have enjoyed reading here tonite.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 880

joDee:

No this is not an irrational thought. It is a very human thought. But it is also the type of thought that keeps us addicted. However, I will say that rolling up a bunch of leaves in a bit of paper, putting fire to it and inhaling the fumes is very irrational. But all of us did it for a very long, long time. So even if the thought is irrational, I would not worry about it, since all of us addicts have spent a lot of years in the land of irrationality. You might say we are well practiced in the art of irrationality.

Have a go at this, really put your mind and body to the task and don't worry what your fears say. Most of what you fear is what they call junkie thinking. In many ways we want to stay addicted, simply because it is easier than actually taking steps to reach cessation island. But once you begin and start to get your confidence, you will not turn back. You will not turn back because you will know that you are giving yourself, and everyone in your life, a very special present.

stay well

nonic

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi JoDee,

Check out the benefits of quitting under the education section for more information. It is never too late to reap the benefits of a smoke free lifestyle.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Congrats to ALL of you on your quits. You are a awesome bunch and it does my heart good to see you making a success of it and helping each other along in the process. Strength in unity.

JoDee, fear at this point, whether rational or irrational, is not something advantageous. If it would make you feel better and you can afford it, then see your doc and ask for whatever test he feels is best to check (x-rays aren't always appropriate). Chances are great that nothing will be found and you can continue on comforted and secure that all is well.

Quitters tend to have irrational thoughts early in their quits. Personally, I see it as a sign that the brain is getting more oxygen and therefore is becoming more active, but it's not quite figured out what to do with all this new-found energy so it comes up with weird stuff. (said only slightly tongue-in-cheek)

Rock on, everyone

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 823

JoDee - Aloha and Impalamania are right! First of all - congrats on your Quit to date! You are coming along great!

I also empathize with your angst and have been through the same thoughts recently - my lungs sound very bad the past few days. I went for a run yesterday thinking it would be great after my 2 wk Quit - but got winded pretty fast and real tired after I got home! Sigh! So am taking comfort in Aloha & Dave's words - they've been quit a long time compared to us - and they're breathing better now! So it can be done! We just have to get whatever tests we need and keep the Quit this time! Aloha - I hadn't thought of your irrational fear - that's a good one LOL!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3207

JoDee,

My irrational fear was that once I stopped smoking all the cancer cells already in my lungs would have more oxygen to use so I would die more quickly...hahahaha...sneaky little nicodemon thoughts.

You're doing great, don't let any of these weird thoughts detour you

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 639

JoDee..first, congratulations on your quit!!!!

Absolutely! We all (assuming we are of sound mind) know that as smokers we were doing tremendous damage to our body,

Our body's response to the effects of nicotine is, indeed, the main reason I quit! Yes, I was afraid it was too late for me in some ways. I went through an entire battery of tests to 1) ensure a clean bill of health prior to beginning exercise programs and 2) to know the extent of the damage.

Amazingly, the body is repairing itself nicely. No, I cannot breathe as freely as I did 30+ years ago before smoking, but I guarantee I breathe far deeper and clearer today than prior to quitting.

Other cool benefits are the return of smell and taste!!!!

Do not fear...go see the doc if you're concerned and put your mind at ease.

Keep the Quit,

Dave

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 41

Does anyone else have this irrational fear that it might already be too late? I worry that I already ruined my lungs, and they won't heal. I want to go to the doctor and get a chest x-ray, because usually it is too late when they find the cancer. Has anyone actually gone to their doctor and asked for an x-ray?

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Irrational Fear