Actually, it was Monday, August 18, 2008. I was at my oncologist's office. I had blood clots. I had cysts. I was taking warfarin/coumadin and injecting myself 3x a day with Lovinox to thin my blood to stop the clots. I hadn't had broccoli, asparagus, or any other green vegetable in months due to the vitamin K interaction with blood thinners. I was limited to maybe 1 glass of wine a week. I had to get my PT/INR checked 2x a weekly, and my fingers were tired of pin pricks. My right arm was sore where they took blood once a week to check things. I was in her office hoping to reduce the blood thinners and try to get back to normal health. My oncologist, who had been after me for months to quit smoking, looked at said "You have quit smoking, haven't you?" I would always spray myself with cologne and eat 1/2 pack of breath mints before going into the clinic. I was honest and said "No, I'm still smoking 2 packs a day."
Well, she looked at me and pretty much said that she was tired of investing her time to get me healthy if I didn't stop smoking 2 packs a day. She wasn't being mean, she was being honest. That I would need to be on blood thinners the rest of my life as smoking can cause blood clots. That I would never eat broccoli, or asparagus, or any green vegetable again. That I would need to see her 2-3x a week for blood tests. That I would remain at high risk for the cysts to grow back. That I would never be able to have a pint of beer, or a glass of wine, or any alcohol more than once every month. If I was going to keep smoking, I would need to be under medical care the rest of my life, however long that might be. The choice was mine. Quit smoking, or get healthy.
It took me a day to decide, and on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 I smoked my last cigarette before going to bed. I joined the SSC earlier that day, and I was ready to go. I woke up on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 as a non-smoker. I followed the advice of members, had my crave cart at hand, and posted when I needed help. Was it tough? You bet! I posted ALL the time. I did whatever I could to tell the Nicodemon he was no longer part of my life. Two months later I told my oncologist I had been smoke free for 2 months. She gradually took me off all of my medications. Tests showed the blood clots were gone, and there were no signs of cysts. I had the biggest broccoli and asparagus and everything green salad, washed down by a glass of wine. I had energy. I could exercise. I had my life back.
For those of you on the fence, don't wait until your oncologist tells you to quit smoking. Do it because you want to. Do it for you! Do it for those who love you! Do it now. Do it today! Put out that cigarette, and mark August 20, 2012 as your quit date. Do everything you can to remain smoke free. Then we'll all celebrate being smoke free on August 20, 2013!!!
On to year 5... and beyond, buddy!!!
