My Substitute Reality -You're just jealous cause the little voices only talk to me-

Monday February 26, 2007

Day 15 – Things could be better

Filed under: Personal — don @ 10:19 pm

The not smoking isn’t the problem.  I think it might be the Chantix which is keeping me from sleeping which is getting me sick.  Last Friday I woke up feeling kind of blah.  When I heard there was a sig-alert in the Sepulveda pass I decided that was God telling me to stay home.  I slept a lot that day and didn’t sleep well that night.  I woke up Saturday with a really stiff neck and felt like I had been chopping wood the day before.  Not really, but my body was just beat.  Same thing happened Saturday and Sunday.  Finally this morning the neck wasn’t as stiff but I still felt beat.  I decided to give it one more day and go to the Doc tomorrow if I still feel bad.  I’m feeling better this evening but at 9:30 I’m ready for bed.

I do see the Doctor on Monday the 5th so I can tell him then what I’ve been feeling.

Thursday February 22, 2007

Eleven days

Filed under: Personal — don @ 7:48 pm

That will be the number of smoke free days about 10pm tonight.  This has been much easier than I thought it would be.  Today there was one short crave that lasted about 10 seconds.  As I mentioned in a comment I’m even starting to forget my pills.  Since I’m writing this around 7:30pm I think I better grab one and then finish this.  You’ll want to know about the “vivid dream” I had last night.

In my dream there was a woman making donuts in a large glass fryer.  The fryer looked like an aquarium filled with oil with the donuts at the bottom.  So far nothing really out there right?  Hang on.  In the top of the “aquarium” fryer were kittens swimming around.  The kittens were swimming kind of like fish and not going up for air.  I asked the girl how they were able to breathe and she told me they all had a small plastic tube pumping air into their mouths.  I looked closer and sure enough they did.  I had her pour some buttermilk on the donuts and they all caught fire.  I’m not sure how they were able to be on fire while submerged in a big tank of oil but dreams don’t always make sense.  After they went out the kittens continued to swim around in the top of the tank.

Then thankfully I woke up.  I know there was one more dream but I can’t remember what it was about.

Sunday February 18, 2007

One week

Filed under: Personal — don @ 10:21 pm

In less than an hour it will be one week of not smoking. Today was probably the best day so far as cravings. I had very few and they weren’t very strong. I did go for a motorcycle ride this morning up Mulholland. This afternoon Betty and I went to see “A Night at the Museum”. It was pretty good. The best part was not wanting to get up in the middle to have a smoke.

After that we went to Mervyns to get me a few larger shirts. I don’t think I’ll be losing any weight for a while so I wanted some shirts that weren’t so tight. I know I’m getting up there in weight but I think it’s probably better to have a few extra pounds than the smoking.

So, one week wasn’t really too bad. A few rough spots but I never felt like I wasn’t going to make it. Let’s hope week 2 is even easier.

Friday February 16, 2007

Day 5

Filed under: Personal — don @ 7:11 pm

This morning I had several strong cravings. Of course I didn’t buckle but these were as bad or worse than day 3’s. Then at lunchtime an interesting thing happened. One of the guys I do lunch with had a smoke before coming into the restaurant. When he walked in I actually smelled the smoke when he sat down. Maybe things are really changing.

I wish I could say that turned the day around but I’ve had a few more cravings. Here’s hoping this weekend is a little easier than today.

Wednesday February 14, 2007

Day 3

Filed under: Personal — don @ 9:25 pm

Most of the stuff I’ve read says day 3 is one of the worst.  If that’s the case then this should be a cakewalk.  Ok, it was a little worse than the first 2 but only because the cravings got a little stronger.  I had about 3 times where I felt a pretty strong urge but as they say, “the urge will pass whether you have a smoke or not”.  It did.

I’m wondering when the good stuff starts to happen.  I know it’s still too early for anything now but I hope within the next few days I at least notice a change.  I’ve heard the coughing should increase while you’re cleaning out your lungs but so far, not really.

I’m taking Betty to see Bridge to Tarabithia this weekend.  It will be strange to not rush out afterwards.

Monday February 12, 2007

Quit Day

Filed under: Personal — don @ 10:42 pm

In about 20 minutes I will be 24 hours smoke free.  I can’t say enough about how Chantix takes away the physical cravings.  It does not, however take away the psychological ones.  I didn’t sleep well last night and I’m not sure if it was taking the pill at 10pm or just the anxiety of knowing today was the day.

I’ll be glad when the cravings subside.  I understand day 3 is the worst so I’ve still got that to look forward to.  One day at a time.

Sunday February 11, 2007

Quit day minus 1

Filed under: Personal — don @ 6:21 pm

I’m quitting!  Smoking that is.  I figure it’s time since I’m 53 and my health isn’t getting any better.

I’ve been thinking about it for several months now.  I really started thinking hard when after my  last cold went away my cough didn’t.  I had thought about doing it over the holidays but realized that’s probably one of the higher stress times.

About 2 weeks ago I enrolled in Boeing’s program called Free and Clear.  They provide you with stop smoking guides, a quit coach, and patches or gum if you want to try one of those.  They also recommend 2 different prescription drugs if you want to try one of those.  The drugs are Zyban and Chantix.  Zyban is actually an antidepressant which has worked well as a smoking cessation aid.  That’s how Betty quit several years ago.

Chantix on the other hand is brand new and is actually made as a smoking cessation aid.  That’s what I decided to try.  It works by reducing the cravings for nicotine.  I’ve been taking it for a week now and I can tell the cravings will be much less than if I wasn’t taking it.

Please don’t comment that you “are proud of me”.  If I successfully quit I’ll be proud enough for myself but I’ve always disliked getting a pat on the back for doing something I should have done a long time ago.  Kind of makes me feel like a puppy.  Well wishes are welcome though.

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