The Great SD SMOKE-OUT Topic - Part 2

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

To read The Great Straight Dope SMOKE-OUT Topic (Part 1), Click Here.

What I thought was going to be a short-lived topic that a couple of us who were going to try to quit smoking could bitch and moan in while we suffered, turned into one of the most incredible threads I’ve ever had the pleasure of participating in on this or any other message board. Whoever says this is only cyber-space and the people aren’t real, have never met any of the Straight Dopers.

Having wanted to quit smoking for a long time, and many, many failed efforts, I became inspired to try again after reading Satan’s The Quitting Smoking Diary. Delta-9 and Bucky had quit the same day Satan had, and I figured if they could all do it, so could I. Cristi agreed to try to quit also, and we set a date and decided to meet here to help encourage each other. Little did we know what it would grow into.

We set aside May 1 as our quit date, and along the way weirddave, Jeannie & Lissa got on board to do this with us, however Cristi’s and Lissa’s prescriptions for Zyban hadn’t yet started, so Cristi postponed her quit date a week or so and Lissa has worked hard to cut down considerably until she can get started, too. Cristi has since successfully joined the ranks of the quitters.

The first few days were pure Hell and none of us thought we were going to make it. This is where I must stop and give enormous and heartfelt thanks to the people who really turned this topic into what it has become - a life saver, quite literally.

I would absolutely have given up on day 3 had it not been for WallyM7. I was ready to go buy a pack of cigarettes and could only bring myself to hold out for an hour more. Wally made me promise not to smoke for him that whole day, not just one hour. In a sea of hysterical tears brought on by withdrawal and frustration coupled with overwhelming emotion for the kindness and support being shown by a virtual stranger, I promised to make that my mantra, “for Wally, I will not smoke today.”

Thinking this sounded like an awesome plan, Eve jumped right on it and suggested that I get “sponsors” for every day, and asked that I not smoke for her the next day. Bless her heart. Everybody go out and buy her book! From there, it snowballed into the over-stuffed 8 pages you see of “Smoke-out” part 1 today. Amazing.

Many, many thanks that just cannot be properly expressed go out to the following people who never gave up on us, and have so generously offered support, encouragement and love…

Wally, Eve, Grace, purplebear, zyada, Arnold Winkelried, evilbeth, aha, Falcon, Bricker, Delta-9, Jvanhorn, MoosieGirl, Drain Bead, Talkinsquirrel, Sanibelman, Missy2U, Satan, Sassy, Eissclam, Bast, Mr. Bear, Kyla, Doobieous, inertia, Chickenhead, StGermain, Frankie, JimB and elelle. (If I’ve missed anyone, please, please, please forgive me.)

Because of all of the people listed above, we’ve picked up a few more people along the way who, having read the words of hope, faith and encouragement provided by everyone, decided to make this their time to quit smoking, too. Welcome…

ruadh, ultress, beatle, and on board soon; beeruser, Auntie Pam & Democritus!!

Unfortunately, we’ve managed to lose a couple people along the way who also joined us mid-topic; Chief Crunch & muffinman :frowning: I sincerely hope they’ll come back some time in the near future and give it another go.

We’ve also had a couple of slips. This has not been easy by any stretch of the imaginiation, and a puff or 2 was had by a few of us. However, the courage Cristi, Jeannie & Dave have shown by not letting one puff or one cigarette take control of their lives again has been incredible.

Congratulations to all the quitters!

And so it continues. We aren’t nearly over all the hurdles yet, and are looking forward to having join us, those who’ve committed to quit within the next few weeks. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could keep this topic alive (in as many ‘Parts’ as necessary) until every smoker on this board has decided to live and throw away their cancer/heart disease/emphysema sticks?!!

I have now been smoke free for 2 weeks, 5 days, 9 hours, 52 minutes and 4 seconds! I have not smoked 232 cigarettes, saving $36.10 and adding 19 hours & 20 minutes to my life. WOO HOO!

Anyone else who would like to join us, download a meter to track your progress here, and step on in! The more, the merrier!!

So let’s keep this going, gang! A gentle reminder; this is a non-smoking area. Thank you for your consideration. :slight_smile:

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Thanks for keeping this up Shayna. I see the doctor this Thursday to get my Zyban prescription. You all have been a great inspiration. Keep up the great wok!

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I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am that this topic has inspired so many other people to give up this killer weed. I am humbled and blessed to know so many wonderful people who’ve been willing to help see us all through this battle. Demo, you can do this, and we’re all going to be here to help!

And a HUGE apology to Sanibelman for calling him Talkinsquirrel in my last post in Part 1. Sanibleman, I knew who I meant, I knew it was you, I was just so exhausted that I had a brain fart when I was typing and my thoughts didn’t get all the way down to my fingers properly. Please forgive me. And thank you for being my sponsor. That you took the time to come read a topic that wasn’t even relevant to you or your life, and showed the caring and compassion to sponsor me - remembering “your day” and checking back in to show your support is something I can’t say thank you enough for. Bless you!

Everyone else needs to check in now. It’s a new topic so posting will be much, much easier. No excuses anymore!!

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Hello, everyone. My name is Amy and WallyM7 is my Dad. Sorry for barging in, but Dad said it would be okay. It’s so wonderful to see so many people giving up this dirty habit.
The reason I’m here is to ask you something. I have two girlfriends who smoke. I love them both very much (we’ve been friends since grade two!) and have begged them on many occassions to stop. Dad allows them to smoke when they come over. I don’t think that’s right.
Why make it easy for them? Maybe if it becomes a chore to smoke, they’ll stop. What is your opinion on this?

Thank you. Bye.

Amy.

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Kids today.

I’ve explained to Amy that because I allow my friends to smoke, I can’t very well single out her friends. They’ve been over when the guys drop in for a football game or poker, so they know I allow it.

Whenever I over rule her, she attempts to appeal to a higher authority. As if there was one. :slight_smile:

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Forgive me, friends, for I have sinned.

I won’t even get into the reasons (excuses) behind it, but yesterday at work, I had a cigarette. I won’t lie…it felt good. The cigarette itself was actually very nasty and caused me to have a cough for the rest of the afternoon. But it felt good to allow myself to have one.

The good news is, I did not–and do not–want another. I was feeling pretty crappy about it (okay, yesterday I was feeling crappy all day anyway), and so I didn’t check in last night. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you guys what happened. I was beating myself up enough over it…I didn’t want to have others doing it for me.

So, by rights, I really should give Falcon a new sponsor day. On Monday, I will not smoke for Falcon.

One more thing…I’m torn as to whether to start my meter over again. On the one hand, I did work to gain those 2 1/2 non-smoking weeks. On the other hand, well…I’m not sure it’s right to keep the meter going from where it was.

I’ll do whatever you guys think is right.

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Shayna, great post! Did you know what this would turn into when you started this? It’s wonderful what you are all doing! Keep up the good work. I am still available for sponsorships if people need a sponsor for a day.

Amy, WallyM7, before making a decision, I guess I would have to ask, are Amy’s friends of legal age to smoke? If not, then you are well within your rights as a host to forbid them to smoke in your house.
Assuming that they are of legal age to smoke, here is my opinion: those friends of Amy’s are actually Amy’s guests, not WallyM7’s. I don’t see why Amy can’t have rules for her guests that are different from her father’s rules. Amy should be able to tell her friends “you’re welcome in my house as long as you don’t smoke.” If her friends say “your father’s friends are allowed to smoke” she can just say “those are his rules for his guests, my rules are different.” That’s my opinion and I’ll stick by it (until someone proves me wrong.)

Jeannie, I don’t know what the moral thing is in your situation. My gut reaction would be: remove one day from your meter, but if this happens more than once in a week, then you should start from zero. Stay strong!

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Keep the meter going, Jeannie.

It was a small slip and does not wipe out your accomplishment. Remember what caused the slip up and learn from it. That’s what it was. A learning experience.

Don’t dwell on it. Just continue with your commitment and you’ll make it.

It’s okay,

{{{{{{{{{{Jeannie}}}}}}}}}}}

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Arnie, both girls are 18, as is my daughter.

The problem here is: She doesn’t want to be the bad guy.

She wants me to be the bad guy, and I won’t do it.

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Hello quitters

Jeannie pointed me to this site, so I thought I’d just hop on and announce that I am quitting smoking. I did it before, I had quit cold turkey and lasted 6 months in 1998, until my friends took me out for my birthday. Since we were drinking and it was my birthday I figured one cigarette wouldn’t hurt me. I’ve been smoking ever since and it seems quitting this time is even more difficult than that first time I quit.

Anyway, I’m determined to give it another chance, starting right now, May 20, 2000 2:00pm central time.

I’ll see you all around!

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Good for you bratman and welcome to the board :slight_smile:

Don’t worry Shayna, Sanibelman should be honored to be mistaken for me :wink:

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I am so happy to have helped in my own little way get this going. I plan on spending every moment of my “life saved” thinking about all of you!

Well, actually, I plan on spending it all having sex… But it’ll be with a Doper! :wink:

Yer pal,
Satan

TIME ELAPSED SINCE I QUIT SMOKING:
One month, one week, four days, 18 hours, 0 minutes and 50 seconds.
1670 cigarettes not smoked, saving $208.75.
Life saved: 5 days, 19 hours, 10 minutes.

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Amy, what a sweet and caring friend you are! Here is my take on the situation with your friends…

  1. It’s not your house, it’s your father’s, and assuming you pay no rent, you really have no say about what he allows and doesn’t allow in his house - like it or not. Sorry. :frowning:

  2. Just because your father’s rule is that it’s ok to smoke in the house, doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do to stop your friends from doing it. What I would suggest is this - next time your friends are over and want to light up, say to them, “Listen, I know my father allows you to smoke here. However, that doesn’t mean it’s ok with me. Smoke bothers me. It clings to my hair, clothes and skin and makes me feel sick long after you’ve put out your butts and gone home. The noxious fumes pollute my lungs, and frankly, carbon monoxide and tar are on the list of things I’d rather not be inhaling if I don’t have to, thankyouverymuch. So I’m not asking that you not smoke in the house because it’s against the rules - it’s not. I’m asking you not to smoke in the house (and this is the important part) out of respect and consideration for me.” This will be a good measure of your friendship, whether they are willing, in spite of the fact that they can, not to smoke for the few hours you’re together because you asked them not to!

  3. It sounds to me like what your father is trying to do is what parents are supposed to do – teach you to be the responsible young adult that you are and stand up for what you believe in. Don’t try to make him the heavy. At 18, it’s time to grow up - at least to that extent (some of us will never grow up in other ways - LOL).

Good luck, Amy. I hope you can convince your friends that they are ruining their lives. Show them these topics if necessary!

Arnold, thank you! No, I honestly had no idea at all. This has just blown me away. Like I said, I am humbled and I am proud to be a part of such a spectacular group of people. You guys are all the best!

Talkinsquirrel, you really are such a nice young man. Too bad I’m not a little younger… sigh

BratMan, WELCOME! It will take a while, but I highly recommend reading Part 1 of this thread (linked above in the OP). It will give you an idea of the kind of thing you can expect from us here as we help you in this fight. You are not immune from yelling and strong words of admonition. But you’re also not immune from the warm fuzzies, encouragement, cajoling, and hugs that will be aplenty here. Read that topic to see how the “sponsorships” were borne, and if you think it’s something that will benefit you, let us know and we’ll be lining up a mile long to see those glorious words, “today, I will not smoke for {insert name here}!”

You’ve done this before, so you know you can do it. But you also know how damn hard it is. And I’m like you - I can never have even one cigarette or I’m right back to buying packs and smoking regularly. It’s just like being an alcoholic. I have an addiction and I can never, ever feed it. Ever.

So welcome aboard and let us know what we can do to help. Oh, and download a meter. We aren’t calculating all these numbers in our heads - the computer does it for us and all we have to do is hold Ctrl= and the stats paste right on the screen. Good luck! We’ll be rooting for you!

Jeannie, we’ve already talked about this, so you know how I feel. But just to reiterate, I don’t think you have to give up your counter completely. It’s not like you’ve wiped out all the other cigarettes you haven’t smoked in these 2+ weeks. Those cigarettes were still not smoked by you, so you do have a lot to be proud of.

On the other hand, you have not quite been smoke free all that time, either. So while I say that it’s ok to keep your stats because it’s not like you suddenly lost the benefits of all the money and life savings you’ve accumulated, be very respectful of what that first line is really all about and remember that next time you want to light up. Stay strong. I know you can do this - look what you’ve done already!!!

ultress, dave, Lissa, Cristi, ruadh & beatle, where are you guys today?

Auntie Pam & Beeruser, you still in the on-deck position?

Waaaaaaaaally!!! I love you, hon! Did I say the right thing to your baby? Gimme a hug. {{{{{{{{{{Wally}}}}}}}}}}

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Shayna, mu daughter read your post and says that you are absolutely right. In fact, she’ll tell you so herself:

Hi, Shayna, it’s Amy. Thank you for your advice. I will do as you suggested. I don’t see how they can get angry if I tell them what you said, Especially since that’s exactly how I feel. No wonder my Dad thinks you’re cool. Or is that hot? {giggle} He showed me your picture. You’re very beautiful.

Amy

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Scram, kid.

Go play with your dolls or something.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Shayna}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

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I’m here guys. No cigarettes since Monday when I quit again. I’m now on my way. Thanks for all your support. I may not post here everyday, but I am keeping up with the thread and it does help.

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Wow, thanks for that post. Especially since I hardly deserve it. I mean, I had planned to send you e-mails during study hall and when I got home from school, but I was so exhausted that day that all I could make was the one post - I slept for 12 hours after that. But I’m glad to hear that I helped out. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to do this again real soon, since I have exams and then a trip to France coming up and I probably won’t be spending too much time on the board until I get my new computer or July, whichever comes first. But I think if someone needed me to sponsor them on, say, a Saturday before the 10th, I could do it. And thanks again, and keep up the good work. All of you.

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Well, last night was the Chicago Dopers meeting. And no, I did not remain smoke-free. I had a few cigarettes. Please don’t yell too much.

Dammit! I had gone so far and then I just threw it all out the window! I’m so mad at myself! Damn!

And I’m not even craving it today at all. It’s just hard to drink and not smoke (no that’s not an excuse, but that’s the way it is with me).

I guess I’ll have to start over again. :frowning:

When I finish waking up, I’ll figure out when I had my last and plug in my new meter.

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Been busy all weekend. I’m still doin ok. Guess this topic will pick up as the week starts. Coming up on 1 week!

Six days, 22 hours, 49 minutes and 1 second.
139 cigarettes not smoked,
saving $22.59.
Life saved: 11 hours, 35 minutes.

20

Sorry I’ve been MIA from the topic. I’m feeling better but still got that raspy voice thing going. I’m hoping I can keep it. I always wanted a deep husky voice. LOL

Jeannie, I have your pralines. I’m mailing them tomorrow. Dave and Ultress, I bought extras. If you’ll give me your address, I’ll send you two some too.