November 13th marks the 40th year I have NOT Smoked. This is a huge milestone for me because it is also marks the day I started Primal Therapy, forty years ago, too. In fact, I had my last cigarette on November 12th, 1970, the afternoon I went to the motel as the pre-requisite to beginning that incredibly important life-changing-life-saving therapy the next day---So....my very first smoke free day was November 13th, 1970.
I have written about smoking, at great length in a much earlier post back in 2006.....So I won't repeat that now, though if you are interested do click on the word ''here" and it will take you to that post. All I will say now is that when I stopped---after 24 years of smoking---I was consuming 4---count them----4 packs of cigarettes a day. That is 80 cigarettes a day. Crazy, I know. So, it was quite an accomplishment to give it up and I am so very glad I did, and, I have never taken one puff of a cigarette since then.
Given my lung problems, which came from a serious illness when I was nine years old, it was a damn good thing I stopped when I did, otherwise, none of you would have ever met me. I don't think there is any doubt that I could not possibly have survived to this point-in-time, if I had kept on smoking.
Of course, I didn't know about my lung condition nor did any of my doctors, till 2004-2005. And it still amazes me that that serious illness at nine years old is what began the terrible damage to my lungs. Naturally, there is no way to measure how my smoking added to the damage that had already happened and would continue to occur, each time I would get pneumonia or bronchitis, which happened numerous times throughout my life. But, suffice it to say, stopping smoking, no doubt, extended my life.....It goes without saying---but I will say it anyway, I am so very very glad I was able to stop this killing addiction when I did. (Thank You Primal Therapy).
And, I know this: If I could stop smoking, well then....anyone can!
Bravo Me!
More To Come...........
- had this to say:
Congratulations. An amazing thing you did for yourself. And of course its very inspirational for any of us trying to give up any addiction no matter what it happens to be. Going cold turkey after 80 cigarettes a day could not have been easy. So glad you did though xx
- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:31:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
indeed! Bravo Naomi!
I stopped also, but not nearly as good as you.. I am only about 3 yrs stopped and still want them everyday..I keep waiting for when I don't think of them anymore.. maybe someday it will happen.- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:35:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I am so proud of your Naomi, the 40years is amazing but the stopping a 4 pack a day habit is incredible.
I also quit,34 years ago, a 3 pack a day habit but it took a serious illness and 21 days in a hospital on painkillers to do it. I know I couldn't have done it with out that help. Smoking is so darn difficult to quit. You amaze me that you did it with out drugs.
I agree with you and had I not quit, someone else would be on this particular keyboard. We both were lucky.
The great thing is that you did and we got to meet you. I am thanking that Naomi of 40 years ago. Smart gal.- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:51:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Well done!! That is a real achievement. And I'm so glad you gave up smoking when you did, otherwise I may never have come to know you!
I smoked for one week when I was at uni and really didn't like it, and that was it. I've smoked an occasional cigar, like one a year, and not even that for a long long time. I never found it addictive, and never inhaled either! I'm a wuz!- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:12:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I am in my 32nd year of not smoking, Naomi, and I am so happy to be able to say that. I don't have any lung problems, but had I not stopped smoking when I did, I daresay I would have developed some. BRAVO for us both!
- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:11:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Congratulations on kicking the habit and staying off the smokes. I never started because I learned at an early age that everyone in my family was addicted to one thing or another.
- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:25:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I'm trying to imagine how anyone could smoke 3 packs a day, sounds pretty non-stop. I just heard that my former mother-in-law (who I love) is dying of pulmonary fibrosis, thought to be caused by years of working with toxins in the dry cleaning business.
I smoked for a brief time, through my older teens and into my 20's until I developed reoccurring bad sore throats. I'm so glad you quit and also that examined your emotional life via primal therapy. Every time someone grows from therapy we all benefit.- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:34:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! A wonderful thing you did for yourself...
And, I think I'll congratulate myself for about 6 years with no cigarettes...It's not as long as you - but, it is a start!- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:26:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Congrats, Naomi. And thanks for the public service.
Cheers.- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:36:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
oh sweet lady! i love this post and i love what you're doing! i'm saving this one to share with my kids when they're just a little bit older. and seriously, HOORAY for you!! xo
- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:43:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Mazel tov on four smoke-free decades! (I really cannot imagine you with a cigarette in your hand!) Smoking killed so many of my family members. I go especially crazy today when I see young people smoking, the stupidity is shattering. One of Leah's classmates said to her recently, "Yeah, I smoke. I know it's not good for my body but...whatever." Yeah, if whatever means dying a slow, miserable death. OY.
- Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:04:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Congrats Naomi! You saw the light before I did - in 1977 - so I have a mere 33 years smokeless.
When I watch Mad Men and the like I am horrified at the complete disregard to health - whether pregnant - in the presence of children or whatever, smoking and drinking is virtually non stop.
We live and learn - at least most of us do.- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:33:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Congratulations! Bravo Naomi!
Wow! 40th year that you have not smoked is really a huge milestone!
Did you know that my daughter Sofia also stopped to smoke? I am so glad with her!
Have a pleasant weekend my dear!- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:34:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
CONGRATS!
Thanx for an inspiring post!
BRAVO!!!- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 9:58:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Happy 40th Aniversary N!!! And you spoke of Primal, so funny. Use to go to Primal at Hofstra U. So funny, forgot that part of my life. I too had been a two pack a day smoker, quitting cold turkey about 25 years ago. I was standing in line yesterday at the store and someone around me STUNK to high heaven from cigs! Glad to be free of that asicting habit! Now I am working on my wine in-take! hahaha
- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 10:24:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I am very proud of you and glad you gave up or I wouldn't have had the pleasure of knowing you. My mother only made it to 49 and died from lung cancer,I used to plead with her to stop smoking when I was a child, it was spooky I knew it was going to be what caused her death even at 8 :(
40 years is a huge milestone :D- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 12:04:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Congratulations on your 40th! I stopped 25 years ago and it was the hardest thing I ever did. Will never start again because I would have to stop again and I never want to go through that again. I, like you, am so glad that I did it. Good for you and good for me. Yay us!
- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:06:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That is wonderful. And I hope everyone heeds your message. I have never even tried it. The think show biz can cause stress, pressure, and it was always so cool. Cancer, however, is far from cool. (And all the lung diseases that lurk in the smoke.) I have not seen a real person (I DO watch Mad Men) in YEARS. We are learning.
- Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:00:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Well done and bravo indeed Naomi, I know of friends that quit too and most importantly my Father quit when he was at age 70!!!! ;D
- Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 8:06:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Brava, Naomi. Your life has been very full -- without those nicotine breaks. Glad you were able to meet that challenge.
- Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 4:33:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Eighty cigarettes a day?? My Goodness, to go from that to not even having one puff in 40 years...I congratulate you, my friend!! How did you do it??
I'm so happy to have met you through blogging and because you quit smoking when you did, you are ALIVE and I'm happy about that, too!!! xo- Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 7:36:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
From 80 to 0 is a fabulous step forward.
Congrats with this healthy celebration;-)
btw. Felicia got one kitten here Friday evening.It was a Breech birth.
Full story, you know where;)- Monday, November 15, 2010 at 8:36:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Bravo, you, indeed!!! My nephew recently quit smoking---he just finished running a marathon and finished 12th overall. Good for him, too!!
- Monday, November 15, 2010 at 3:35:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Congratulations... I'm so proud of you. What an accomplishment. What a display of will power. You are truly amazing. And I'm so glad that I've been able to meet you... it was a highlight for me, for sure.
xoxo- Monday, November 15, 2010 at 8:22:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What an amazing milestone. I am so glad you gave up as my life has certainly been enriched from meeting you through your blog : )
Hugs and purrs to you and Sweetie :)- Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 2:48:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That's brillant! Cheers to you.
80 cigarettes a day! Gosh. When did you have time to breath? With cigarettes so expensive these days (except it seems here in the UAE where cigarettes are tax free) I don't know how every day folk can afford to smoke.- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 10:52:00 PM PST
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