Tag: Smoking cessation

Things They Don’t Tell You About Quitting Smoking

~ JodiLea

    

June 11th, 2011: Day 23

Just mention that you’re thinking about quitting smoking and you are bombarded with information. My HMO has many pamphlets, seminars, classes and group therapy at my disposal.  However, they don’t cover everything. I don’t know if it’s oversight or their way of protecting you.

Regardless, these are a few of the little things that I have discovered along the way…

  1. When you remove yesterdays  nicotine patch, in its place there is a red-ish square outlined by dirty glue. This makes it easy to follow the instructions “place next patch in a different area on your skin”. In fact, you will not put a patch back on that area for a week because the glue outline remains there after daily showers and soap. Only Mary Kay Sugar Scrub and exfoliating gloves will get this crap off.
  2. The first week you are full of energy, so get as much done as you possibly can. Weeks 2 and 3 you are exhausted and too mentally unbalanced to get anything done.
  3. Do not expect people to notice you. Do not take this personally.  Not smoking is very much on your mind, but  no one else is thinking about it.
  4. Avoid airports. As you wait in the security line and then at the gate 1.5 hours before your flight, you will hear it at least 27 times. “Blah blah blah…There is no smoking inside the terminal… blah blah blah”. Thank you so much for reminding me I can’t smoke. Over and over and over. It’s torture.

That’s all I can think of now. There are more things I’ve learned, but the forgetfulness has kidnapped my brain again.

TTFN…

Diary of an Addict: Obey The Signs

~ JodiLea ~ 1 Comment

June 10th, 2011: Day 22

Dear Diary,

I have a new mission. It popped into my head while I was putting together our dinner this evening. I just love when that happens!

I decided to stop, at least most of,  my whining. It only feeds my dark emotional state and I am bored with it.  Instead, I plan to pass along useful information about nicotine addiction. At least until another mission comes along. Who knows? I may actually help somebody!

I found these signs interesting and thought I would share them.

Typo - or is it?
Sign of the Future?

TTFN

Diary of a Nicotine Addict: Week 3

~ JodiLea

Evil Child

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June 8th, 2011

Dear Diary,

Friday began week #3 without a cigarette. Wahoo.  I decided to not continue the patches for 4 more weeks because they will just prolong the agony. My system will have to deal without nicotine eventually, so why not now? I’m already miserable, I reasoned…

By Sunday morning I start questioning this decision.

I am jittery, sleep deprived and intolerant of noise, light, and reality. My pores are seeping toxins because my face is breaking out like crazy. I only ate popcorn for breakfast and lunch, and cake for dinner one day this week.  The load of  laundry I did last week is still in the dryer – I just can’t make myself deal with it.

I watched the same 5 iCarly episodes 45 times and 4 episodes of ScoobyDoo 37 times, with my 6-year old granddaughter. I picked up and washed every piece of  Tupperware I own at least 5 times so my 1-year old granddaughter could pull it out of the cupboard and have a blast, and that dear diary, was the most enjoyable things I did all weekend.

Today I must have left my brain in bed with my sleeping hubby. I had been busy working  for 3 hours when I realized that I forgot to take my insulin. I do a routine every morning and I never forget  my medication. Until today. This inability to focus and remember things is making me mad. Why can’t I forget I smoked?

My blood glucose level was climbing and I was hours late taking my meds. You know the ones I mean – I take them for your safety. So, I take an early lunch break at 10:15 to drive home so I can shoot up and pop pills. It sounds a lot more fun than it is, believe me.

Now I am nearly out of gas, so I pump 7 gallons for $30 and drive back to work. I should have looked for my brain while I was home, but I forgot.