Cindy's Win to Quit Story

It was 11 years ago that I decided to quit smoking. It seems like yesterday. I was what I call a really bad smoker. I smoked 2 or more packs of cigarettes per day, started each day with a cigarette, ended each day with one. I would even smoke in the middle of the night if I got up for any reason. When I was going to be out and about, I would even time how long I would be unable to have a cigarette and smoke as much as I could before and lite up as fast I could after.
 
 In 1999 I had my gallbladder removed. It was a simple procedure, a day procedure, admitted in the AM and home at night. When I woke from the procedure I had a respiratory attack. They almost had to intabate me. I spent that night at the hospital having breathing treatments and went home the next day. What did I do as soon as I got into my friends car? Asked her for a cigarette. So that got me thinking. What am I doing to myself? Shortly after this I started to have panic attacks. The feeling that I was suffocating. Then another good friend died of a smoking related cancer.It was not pleasant to watch.
 
 It was then that I went and discussed my options with my doctor and we devised a plan of action. My target date was October 2,1999. I am glad to say that I have never picked up another cigarette since. It was tough and I had tried to quit many times before, but I just needed to be ready.
 
 My first test was going to Las Vegas just 6 months after my last cigarette and I did not smoke. When I started smoking a pack of cigarettes cost 50 cents. Now in Wisconsin where my son lives they are almost $10. I personally would quit just for the cost, but know some people, who I love dearly, that continue to smoke to this day.
 
I write this to let everyone know that it is important to stop smoking for your health and the health of your loved ones. I wish my mother, Jean, could have overcome her addiction before smoking related lung cancer took her from us.