Surgeon appt update

AMomNETN said:

Wow
Dawne,
I am a former smoker. Quit about 2 yrs. ago after my BC diagnosis. It wasn't hard for me to do this time. I "quit" several times before. I still want one every once in a while.
First, think about the Chantix. It might really help you. Keep a record of when you smoke and the circumstances (found out mine was more mental thing than actual cravings), cut straws or get those stirers to use if you really want something to do with your hands, get sugar free hard candys to replace the cigarette. Drink lots of water. Just like with chemo it helps flush out the nicotine. It's not easy but you can do it. Guess my diagnosis scared me enough to quit. I hope this helps.

Janie

Sending hugs, Dawn
That had to be hard to hear. We'll support you every step of the way. Please don't be too hard on yourself about this. Ask for help, in any shape or form.

I'm married to a chimney. He doesn't smoke in the house, vehicles or around me, but he is so addicted that it effects our time together, what we can do, where we can go (this is California). He can't enjoy time in a restaurant together or any social event that is indoors. When we travel in the car, we have to stop every 2 hours so he can have a cigarette. He refuses to fly. He is absolutely miserable. Plus, here in California people look at smokers like they're pond scum and he's not, doggone it. I'm telling you this because I wonder if you know how your husband feels and how your smoking effects your marriage and family. I bet you'll get a whole lot more than new boobs if you're successful. You'll never know how good life can be without cigarettes unless you try it - for a while at least.

Love,

Suzanne
(also a former smoker who quit 20 years ago)

Quitting smoking
is not an easy thing to do. I quit about 11 years ago. I did it with the help of Wellbutrin which is an anti depressant. I had a lot of determination and actually quit in less time than the dr. had told me I would. I feel that you can only quit if you really want to it doesn't matter what anyone tells you.
I have a friend who just quit a couple of weeks ago and she is using one of those electronic cigarettes with no nicotene.

Good Luck,
Hugs,
Georgia

Never smoked
Never smoked but 5 cigs in my life. But I would have had a hard time quitting coffee as addicted as I was. I did in fact quit coffee though while in chemo as I think it had to do with the steroids for antinausea.

I would do either the wellbutrin or the chantix. I think the chantix may also have some effect on mental health. Here is why I am thinking this. You have already been through the wringer with bc. That alone is enough to depress you. So if you temporarily used Wellbutrin to quit smoking, you would also know if it worked in case you someday in the future needed it for depression.

I am not sure all doctors understand how an addictive substance can hard wire your brain into needing the substance. As far as I am concerned the tobacco industry is just a legalized drug pusher as they have laced the cigs with further addictive substances each time thier sales decreased. And now I will get off my soapbox. I will be praying for you.

laughs_a_lot said:

Never smoked
Never smoked but 5 cigs in my life. But I would have had a hard time quitting coffee as addicted as I was. I did in fact quit coffee though while in chemo as I think it had to do with the steroids for antinausea.

I would do either the wellbutrin or the chantix. I think the chantix may also have some effect on mental health. Here is why I am thinking this. You have already been through the wringer with bc. That alone is enough to depress you. So if you temporarily used Wellbutrin to quit smoking, you would also know if it worked in case you someday in the future needed it for depression.

I am not sure all doctors understand how an addictive substance can hard wire your brain into needing the substance. As far as I am concerned the tobacco industry is just a legalized drug pusher as they have laced the cigs with further addictive substances each time thier sales decreased. And now I will get off my soapbox. I will be praying for you.

I know how excited
I know how excited you were with another post.Couldn't wait to get the reconstruction.I'm sorry you have to wait.It is a let down. Hope things work out in April.

Smoking is bad. I never smoked but my husband does.He don't get it.He goes outside and to the basement but evey chance he gets he lights up one in our living room when I am in the back of the house.I get upset.Like Suzann's husband mine will go outside the car while we are shopping but the smell is bad when he gets back in the car.That's just the scent and not the smoke from what my doctor says. I didn't mind but I do now.I want to protect my body from getting lung cancer.

For your weight that is not overweight at all.I used to be 135 lbs.I looked good.I lost weight after a traumatic event(also think it was partly the cause of my cancer dx) and now I only weigh 117. I am short(5 foot) but I want to look healthy. I don't with this weight loss.Even people say "Are you sick?? Then I get stressed when they say that.I remember also when I gained that weight and kept if for over 10 years I was big breasted.I want that back now more than anything but like my doctor said my left side will never be the same.I don't think you will need to lose much.Even if a little it would probably be OK with your doctor. If you must loose than I wish you luck on that and try to quit smoking.Keep us informed.

Be careful if you quit the smoking.I rememeber going off caffeine coke cold turkey. I had no idea it is like a addiction.WOW I had heart problems.I take meds but my meds weren't lasting 24 hours.My heart raced.I am sure with the nocotine you could have withdrawel.Better check with your doctor or you will have another medical problem.

I have my fingers crossed hings to get better for you in April.Hope more than anything you will be able to get the reconstruction surgery.

Lynn Smith

Double Whammy said:

Sending hugs, Dawn
That had to be hard to hear. We'll support you every step of the way. Please don't be too hard on yourself about this. Ask for help, in any shape or form.

I'm married to a chimney. He doesn't smoke in the house, vehicles or around me, but he is so addicted that it effects our time together, what we can do, where we can go (this is California). He can't enjoy time in a restaurant together or any social event that is indoors. When we travel in the car, we have to stop every 2 hours so he can have a cigarette. He refuses to fly. He is absolutely miserable. Plus, here in California people look at smokers like they're pond scum and he's not, doggone it. I'm telling you this because I wonder if you know how your husband feels and how your smoking effects your marriage and family. I bet you'll get a whole lot more than new boobs if you're successful. You'll never know how good life can be without cigarettes unless you try it - for a while at least.

Love,

Suzanne
(also a former smoker who quit 20 years ago)

I am sorry Dawne that your
I am sorry Dawne that your surgery got delayed. I know how upset you are and I am so very sorry.

I smoked and I admit it wasn't easy to quit, but, I am so glad that I did. I quit when I had bronchitis, which made it kind of easy, since I couldn't breathe hardly and all I did was cough. You can do it!

Now, how about a big hug?


(((((((Dawne )))))))


Sue

SIROD said:

Weight?
Hi,

I understand the lymphedema that the surgeon would like to have it under control. Why the weight?

Is it possible to find another surgeon for a 2nd opinion on all this?

73 degrees for me right now would be paradise.

Wishing you well in all of this.

Doris

I am sorry that you can't
I am sorry that you can't have your surgery as scheduled in April. This is a huge disappointment. I understand they lymphedema and the not smoking, but, the weight? You don't weigh that much. Like the others, could you get a 2nd opinion?

You are always so supportive to all of the pink sisters on here Dawne, that I pray that somehow we can get you through this.


Hugs, Megan

AMomNETN said:

Wow
Dawne,
I am a former smoker. Quit about 2 yrs. ago after my BC diagnosis. It wasn't hard for me to do this time. I "quit" several times before. I still want one every once in a while.
First, think about the Chantix. It might really help you. Keep a record of when you smoke and the circumstances (found out mine was more mental thing than actual cravings), cut straws or get those stirers to use if you really want something to do with your hands, get sugar free hard candys to replace the cigarette. Drink lots of water. Just like with chemo it helps flush out the nicotine. It's not easy but you can do it. Guess my diagnosis scared me enough to quit. I hope this helps.

Janie

I am really hoping that you
I am really hoping that you will be able to still have your surgery in April. Sending big hugs and lots of support!