Hi Miki - I'm truly sorry to learn that you have lung cancer and are in treatment. I know many nurses who smoke and understand where you're coming from.
Missy has given you good advice, but as a fellow cancer patient I'd like to give you a little bit of tough love. Tips and tricks aren't enough. Most cities have free support services and groups available through state health departments, the Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and others. It's going to take a solid commitment to quitting and the support of others will help. Don't worry about being judged, that doesn't matter. What's important is your future health after you go through the hell of chemo and treatment. Some groups provide a way to put the commitment to stay quit in writing. Doing that, and looking at that commitment every day while you are in treatment, will help you in seeing being smoke-free as your goal and as who you are. It's never too late to quit, and to benefit from it. As a nurse you could also help counsel others and support them as you're supporting yourself.
I hope your treatment is successful and am glad you have a great medical team. If you expand your team to also include people who will help you stick to being smoke-free I think it will help you in not "slipping" and in going forward.
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Hi Miki - I'm truly sorry to learn that you have lung cancer and are in treatment. I know many nurses who smoke and understand where you're coming from.
Missy has given you good advice, but as a fellow cancer patient I'd like to give you a little bit of tough love. Tips and tricks aren't enough. Most cities have free support services and groups available through state health departments, the Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and others. It's going to take a solid commitment to quitting and the support of others will help. Don't worry about being judged, that doesn't matter. What's important is your future health after you go through the hell of chemo and treatment. Some groups provide a way to put the commitment to stay quit in writing. Doing that, and looking at that commitment every day while you are in treatment, will help you in seeing being smoke-free as your goal and as who you are. It's never too late to quit, and to benefit from it. As a nurse you could also help counsel others and support them as you're supporting yourself.
I hope your treatment is successful and am glad you have a great medical team. If you expand your team to also include people who will help you stick to being smoke-free I think it will help you in not "slipping" and in going forward.
All the best to you,
July 2, 2010 - 5:49pmPat
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