Smoking
Thanks
Linda
Comments
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Doctor should not have said that
The HPV test is to determine if you are HPV positive. It dosen't prove that the cigarettes had zero effect. The smoking has eroded the skin cells and made fertile ground for the cancer cells. That hasn't changed. I had smoked but quit several years prior to diagnosis. If cancer hasn't made him quit there is nothing you can say that will make him quit. Do his doctors know he is still smoking and can they influence him further?0 -
Yes they do know that he isratface said:Doctor should not have said that
The HPV test is to determine if you are HPV positive. It dosen't prove that the cigarettes had zero effect. The smoking has eroded the skin cells and made fertile ground for the cancer cells. That hasn't changed. I had smoked but quit several years prior to diagnosis. If cancer hasn't made him quit there is nothing you can say that will make him quit. Do his doctors know he is still smoking and can they influence him further?
Yes they do know that he is still smoking, they are on him about it now, but not during treatment. I am just scared that his cancer will come back if he does not quit. I will continue to pray for him, this is all I can do.
Thanks
Linda0 -
Quitting
I agree you can't *make* him stop, although you quitting is strong medicine, congrats on that.
Not sure how you quit, but I took the advice of a friend who to my astonishment quit his 2 pack a day Camel diesel habit: Get the patch, even if you don't feel quite ready. I recommend the clear 21 mg patches, any store brand will do (do buy clear though, so much better) and one of them always is on sale; sometimes Nicorette brand has bogo deals on their clear patches and ends up cheaper. The 21 mg clear patches make you actually forget to smoke, it's great.
I bet like all of us you have those prepackaged alcohol wipes around, donated by your doctor's office. Dispassionately explain that when he's ready, clean a non-hairy spot (upper arm etc) and after the alcohol dries, hold the patch on firmly for 30 seconds.
I did end up having to then quit the patch, but it isn't nicotine that kills us, it's the tars and carcinogens associated with smoking and tobacco use. Nic patches used as directed never killed anyone.
I'm sure there are a million different opinions on this topic and others will disagree with my willingness to replace smoking with an alternate nicotine delivery system. But the patch works for many hard core, longtime smokers, I've seen it over and over. Good luck to you both!0 -
Thank YouLelia said:Quitting
I agree you can't *make* him stop, although you quitting is strong medicine, congrats on that.
Not sure how you quit, but I took the advice of a friend who to my astonishment quit his 2 pack a day Camel diesel habit: Get the patch, even if you don't feel quite ready. I recommend the clear 21 mg patches, any store brand will do (do buy clear though, so much better) and one of them always is on sale; sometimes Nicorette brand has bogo deals on their clear patches and ends up cheaper. The 21 mg clear patches make you actually forget to smoke, it's great.
I bet like all of us you have those prepackaged alcohol wipes around, donated by your doctor's office. Dispassionately explain that when he's ready, clean a non-hairy spot (upper arm etc) and after the alcohol dries, hold the patch on firmly for 30 seconds.
I did end up having to then quit the patch, but it isn't nicotine that kills us, it's the tars and carcinogens associated with smoking and tobacco use. Nic patches used as directed never killed anyone.
I'm sure there are a million different opinions on this topic and others will disagree with my willingness to replace smoking with an alternate nicotine delivery system. But the patch works for many hard core, longtime smokers, I've seen it over and over. Good luck to you both!
I quit with patches myself, he has not tried them yet, he says I will quit when I am ready, I tried the bitching at him but this made him want to smoke more, my fright is this will kill him. Has anyone tried the electronic cigs, I hear they are great.
Linda0 -
Thank YouLelia said:Quitting
I agree you can't *make* him stop, although you quitting is strong medicine, congrats on that.
Not sure how you quit, but I took the advice of a friend who to my astonishment quit his 2 pack a day Camel diesel habit: Get the patch, even if you don't feel quite ready. I recommend the clear 21 mg patches, any store brand will do (do buy clear though, so much better) and one of them always is on sale; sometimes Nicorette brand has bogo deals on their clear patches and ends up cheaper. The 21 mg clear patches make you actually forget to smoke, it's great.
I bet like all of us you have those prepackaged alcohol wipes around, donated by your doctor's office. Dispassionately explain that when he's ready, clean a non-hairy spot (upper arm etc) and after the alcohol dries, hold the patch on firmly for 30 seconds.
I did end up having to then quit the patch, but it isn't nicotine that kills us, it's the tars and carcinogens associated with smoking and tobacco use. Nic patches used as directed never killed anyone.
I'm sure there are a million different opinions on this topic and others will disagree with my willingness to replace smoking with an alternate nicotine delivery system. But the patch works for many hard core, longtime smokers, I've seen it over and over. Good luck to you both!
for some reason, my post, come up twice0 -
He is going to want to quitLelia said:Quitting
I agree you can't *make* him stop, although you quitting is strong medicine, congrats on that.
Not sure how you quit, but I took the advice of a friend who to my astonishment quit his 2 pack a day Camel diesel habit: Get the patch, even if you don't feel quite ready. I recommend the clear 21 mg patches, any store brand will do (do buy clear though, so much better) and one of them always is on sale; sometimes Nicorette brand has bogo deals on their clear patches and ends up cheaper. The 21 mg clear patches make you actually forget to smoke, it's great.
I bet like all of us you have those prepackaged alcohol wipes around, donated by your doctor's office. Dispassionately explain that when he's ready, clean a non-hairy spot (upper arm etc) and after the alcohol dries, hold the patch on firmly for 30 seconds.
I did end up having to then quit the patch, but it isn't nicotine that kills us, it's the tars and carcinogens associated with smoking and tobacco use. Nic patches used as directed never killed anyone.
I'm sure there are a million different opinions on this topic and others will disagree with my willingness to replace smoking with an alternate nicotine delivery system. But the patch works for many hard core, longtime smokers, I've seen it over and over. Good luck to you both!
He is going to want to quit for himself. If he doesn't want to, than the patch, or anything else, won't help him. Personally, I found the huge tumor on my neck motivation enough. I haven't had any since December of 2008.0 -
Smokingsweetblood22 said:He is going to want to quit
He is going to want to quit for himself. If he doesn't want to, than the patch, or anything else, won't help him. Personally, I found the huge tumor on my neck motivation enough. I haven't had any since December of 2008.
I smoked 32 years ago, I was a 2 pack a day smoker and it was a very hard thing to do, but the trick for me was not to do it for myself but for something else that was impotence to me. That came alone 9 months later when my daughter was born, I could not do it for myself but it was easy to do for her. Get him to focus on something importance in his live, and do it for them and take it one day at a time..
Wishing you both the best
Hondo0 -
Yepratface said:Doctor should not have said that
The HPV test is to determine if you are HPV positive. It dosen't prove that the cigarettes had zero effect. The smoking has eroded the skin cells and made fertile ground for the cancer cells. That hasn't changed. I had smoked but quit several years prior to diagnosis. If cancer hasn't made him quit there is nothing you can say that will make him quit. Do his doctors know he is still smoking and can they influence him further?
Doctors blew the call on this one, for sure. Hub sounds as stubborn and ornery as me, but some time in October of 05 I quit and have not touched one since. I like to tell people that having half of your tongue replaced is quite enough motivation to get the job done. Don't honestly know how you are going to be able to undo the damage done by the cavalier attitude of his docs, but I wish you the best.
(FYI, when I was diagnosed in 05, the documentation stated that 95% of those who developed head/neck cancer, 95%!, were smokers or smokers/drinkers.)
Take care,
Joe0 -
It was a little hard at first
Hi Linda, just wanted to offer some support for your husband. I too found it very hard to give up the monster, I justified it with, oh well, it's HPV, so smoking didn't cause it. My family were so dissappointed in me, I was diagnosed Nov 2009 SCC right tonsil, 1 lymph node, had 3 cisplatin, 34 radiations, finished in April 2010. I had moments I gave up for and then the nicotine monster would make me stop at the petrol station and buy the ciggies. I cut down and the weaken, cut down, quit, weaken....etc I was a process.
I haven't had any smokes now since February 2011, I do chew nicorette occassionally as this also helps saliva, but, I don't smoke and I am very proud. After 34 years (I started when I was 10 years old) I thought it would be impossible.
But..... I did it and I can look my husband, sons, daughter in laws, and granddaughter in the eyes and say.. See I am a survivor and not feel like I am fooling myself.
I do hope your hubbie finds the strength within him as it is not only cancer that it is believed to induce, but, it's just in your cells, hair, clothes, hits the pocket really hard (in Australia it does - pack of 20 for $17.50)
I hope this is a little helpful. I send this with love and encouragement Jen xxxxxx0 -
Wowpascotty said:It was a little hard at first
Hi Linda, just wanted to offer some support for your husband. I too found it very hard to give up the monster, I justified it with, oh well, it's HPV, so smoking didn't cause it. My family were so dissappointed in me, I was diagnosed Nov 2009 SCC right tonsil, 1 lymph node, had 3 cisplatin, 34 radiations, finished in April 2010. I had moments I gave up for and then the nicotine monster would make me stop at the petrol station and buy the ciggies. I cut down and the weaken, cut down, quit, weaken....etc I was a process.
I haven't had any smokes now since February 2011, I do chew nicorette occassionally as this also helps saliva, but, I don't smoke and I am very proud. After 34 years (I started when I was 10 years old) I thought it would be impossible.
But..... I did it and I can look my husband, sons, daughter in laws, and granddaughter in the eyes and say.. See I am a survivor and not feel like I am fooling myself.
I do hope your hubbie finds the strength within him as it is not only cancer that it is believed to induce, but, it's just in your cells, hair, clothes, hits the pocket really hard (in Australia it does - pack of 20 for $17.50)
I hope this is a little helpful. I send this with love and encouragement Jen xxxxxx
Thank you for your letter and honesty. I quit in Feb 2011 myself. You give me hope, I will read this letter to Steve when he wakes up tommorrow. We have a big day with his pet scan, much worries on my half, I know in my heart it will be clean, but I still am scared. I lost my first husband to Lymphoma at the young age of 41, damn near killed me, now this one has cancer, felt like I did something wrong in my life, but think back and cant see that, I am loved by many, and I try to treat people the way I want to be treated. I love Steve very much, but I get so angry at him, when he smokes. I know how hard it is to quit, I went through it, but I did not smoke for 30 plus years, only 10. Thank you again and God Bless you
Linda0 -
Awesome ~ Pascottypascotty said:It was a little hard at first
Hi Linda, just wanted to offer some support for your husband. I too found it very hard to give up the monster, I justified it with, oh well, it's HPV, so smoking didn't cause it. My family were so dissappointed in me, I was diagnosed Nov 2009 SCC right tonsil, 1 lymph node, had 3 cisplatin, 34 radiations, finished in April 2010. I had moments I gave up for and then the nicotine monster would make me stop at the petrol station and buy the ciggies. I cut down and the weaken, cut down, quit, weaken....etc I was a process.
I haven't had any smokes now since February 2011, I do chew nicorette occassionally as this also helps saliva, but, I don't smoke and I am very proud. After 34 years (I started when I was 10 years old) I thought it would be impossible.
But..... I did it and I can look my husband, sons, daughter in laws, and granddaughter in the eyes and say.. See I am a survivor and not feel like I am fooling myself.
I do hope your hubbie finds the strength within him as it is not only cancer that it is believed to induce, but, it's just in your cells, hair, clothes, hits the pocket really hard (in Australia it does - pack of 20 for $17.50)
I hope this is a little helpful. I send this with love and encouragement Jen xxxxxx
That's an awesome and powerful post and I'm very proud of you....says a tremendous amount about your strength and character.
Best,
John0 -
What about smokingSkiffin16 said:Awesome ~ Pascotty
That's an awesome and powerful post and I'm very proud of you....says a tremendous amount about your strength and character.
Best,
John
What about smoking marijuana. I read somewhere that it can help in preventing some cancers. I find that hard to beleive. Smoke is smoke, right! My husband asked the doctors if he could smoke to help with the nausea, and they said it would be ok. I was not with him at the time and I would hate to say he fibbed, but what doctor would tell you it's ok to smoke anything.0 -
Marijuanaarndog64 said:What about smoking
What about smoking marijuana. I read somewhere that it can help in preventing some cancers. I find that hard to beleive. Smoke is smoke, right! My husband asked the doctors if he could smoke to help with the nausea, and they said it would be ok. I was not with him at the time and I would hate to say he fibbed, but what doctor would tell you it's ok to smoke anything.
I've never heard of it as a cancer prevention, other than maybe some magazine like High Times..., LOL...just teasing.
But it has been used for some medicinal purposes as for nausea relief from some cancers and also glucoma. I'm sure there are many more, not sure.
I'm with you on smoking nothing...but usually I'd presume someone smoking weed would tend to smoke much less than the usual tobacco smoker.
JG0 -
Smoking
My husband was just diagnosed with SCC right tonsil. We found out 7/29/11 and I called our Dr. 8/1/11 for Chantix prescription. Our quit day was 8/9/11 which was also the day we got the prognosis (the cancer has not spread). I am having no problems quiting because the pain and agony of quiting is a walk in the park compared to this diagnosis and how it has changed our lives. My husband is having a more difficult time not only because he smoked A LOT longer than me but having that cigarette takes that stress off. I ask him daily how he is doing on the smoking and he has said it is getting easier, he usually has a tooth pick in his mounth and I bought a big bag of life savers; those seem to help. The surgeon did mention they tested for the HPV virus, but the results had not come back yet. I don't think I will tell my husband if it is positive because I fear he may return to smoking.0 -
e-cigselwoodsinoakdale said:Thank You
I quit with patches myself, he has not tried them yet, he says I will quit when I am ready, I tried the bitching at him but this made him want to smoke more, my fright is this will kill him. Has anyone tried the electronic cigs, I hear they are great.
Linda
Hi Linda,
My husband and I were both smokers for years. When he was diagnosed in June we both quit. He did it cold turkey (with a few cheats until his treatments started) and I used the e cigs and gum. I wouldn't recommend an e-cig as a totally safe alternative to regular cigarettes but it worked as a quitting aid for me. I don't believe any of the e-cigs are fda regulated so who knows what you are inhaling. Since I knew I only wanted to use it for a month or so as a transition from regular cigarettes to non-smoking I figured the risk wasn't so bad. The e-cig helped more with the "act" of smoking and inhaling something which the nicotine gum couldn't replace.
On a happy note... my husband just had his last radiation treatment today! He said after going through the hell of treatment there is no way that he will ever pick up a cigarette again. :-)
Good luck!0 -
You should ask for the HPV resultcathy4889 said:Smoking
My husband was just diagnosed with SCC right tonsil. We found out 7/29/11 and I called our Dr. 8/1/11 for Chantix prescription. Our quit day was 8/9/11 which was also the day we got the prognosis (the cancer has not spread). I am having no problems quiting because the pain and agony of quiting is a walk in the park compared to this diagnosis and how it has changed our lives. My husband is having a more difficult time not only because he smoked A LOT longer than me but having that cigarette takes that stress off. I ask him daily how he is doing on the smoking and he has said it is getting easier, he usually has a tooth pick in his mounth and I bought a big bag of life savers; those seem to help. The surgeon did mention they tested for the HPV virus, but the results had not come back yet. I don't think I will tell my husband if it is positive because I fear he may return to smoking.
Cathy, you and your husband need to know if he is HPV positive so you can make informed decisions about your sex life and prevention if you have kids. What the doctors should not do is make uninformed claims. The original question clearly was a patient who could have gotten it either way.
On the marijuana issue it has been established that marijuana has many positive benefits for cancer patients as well as many HIV positive folks. It does help significantly with "Chronic Wasting Disease" and appetite. Head and neck cancer patients would fall into the same situation as the folks who can't put on weight because of HIV. I agree the frequency would be much less as John stated. I think that used with a vaporizer and by prescription it has medical application.0 -
Welcome Cathycathy4889 said:Smoking
My husband was just diagnosed with SCC right tonsil. We found out 7/29/11 and I called our Dr. 8/1/11 for Chantix prescription. Our quit day was 8/9/11 which was also the day we got the prognosis (the cancer has not spread). I am having no problems quiting because the pain and agony of quiting is a walk in the park compared to this diagnosis and how it has changed our lives. My husband is having a more difficult time not only because he smoked A LOT longer than me but having that cigarette takes that stress off. I ask him daily how he is doing on the smoking and he has said it is getting easier, he usually has a tooth pick in his mounth and I bought a big bag of life savers; those seem to help. The surgeon did mention they tested for the HPV virus, but the results had not come back yet. I don't think I will tell my husband if it is positive because I fear he may return to smoking.
Welcome to the forum, great people and a lot of experience and people willing to share their experiences...
Great job on giving up smoking and wishing you both the best on that.
My Dx was STGIII SCC HPV+ Right Tonsil and a single lymphnode....A total of sixteen weeks of chemo and chemo/rads.
It's very doable and very treatable...In this scenario HPV+ is not really a bad thing as those patients tend to respond and do well. Not saying that it's any easier, it's a rough diet for sure, but doable as many on here have had similar. We have some survivors on here that are 10 - 15 years post treatment and doing very well.
Thoughts & Prayers,
John0 -
Cannabis: It's not just for smoking!arndog64 said:What about smoking
What about smoking marijuana. I read somewhere that it can help in preventing some cancers. I find that hard to beleive. Smoke is smoke, right! My husband asked the doctors if he could smoke to help with the nausea, and they said it would be ok. I was not with him at the time and I would hate to say he fibbed, but what doctor would tell you it's ok to smoke anything.
It can be delivered in a small bite of pudding, Jello or another food item easily swallowed, like a small soft cookie.
Our cancer docs--every single one, nine or ten--were fine with cannabis, and a few strongly endorsed it. None of them however approved of smoking it, and most H&N c patients couldn't even if they wanted to. There are other ways to ingest a measured dose for nausea and other cancer/cancer treatment symptoms. Cannabem Liberemus!0 -
Put Down the Lighterarndog64 said:What about smoking
What about smoking marijuana. I read somewhere that it can help in preventing some cancers. I find that hard to beleive. Smoke is smoke, right! My husband asked the doctors if he could smoke to help with the nausea, and they said it would be ok. I was not with him at the time and I would hate to say he fibbed, but what doctor would tell you it's ok to smoke anything.
I have heard (no personal experience) that marijuana can be successfully vaporized. You get the effects of the mj with no fire/paper burning.0
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