Mamaw, I know you can do it! I quit smoking for 10 years, and it was the hardest thing I ever did. Sadly I did go back when Pinky started her crapioli, but I know it can be done.

If this helps, here were my "landmarks"

3 days -- the worst three days of your life, but once you get through them the nicotine is out of your main system.

2 weeks -- once you get past that you're getting there! But beware, the urge will slam into you around this point, just when you think you're over it.

30 days -- now you're almost home free. But once again, the urge will come out of nowhere.

90 days -- you're a nonsmoker!!!!! Practically no urges at all, and those that hit you are easily conquered.

Now, if I can only take my own advice! LOL. I'll say prayers, both for your smoking and the surgery.

And this sounds ridiculous, but it's real: KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS!!!!

I don't smoke in the house, so I've cut the coffee 'n' cig pairing. Coffee without a cig is easy as pie.

A glass of wine? No problem. I don't smoke in the house, and you can't smoke in bars or restaurants in NJ or PA.

But a cig and the telephone? SHEESH! I think I'd have to cut all phone calls for those 90 days. I don't know what it is about the phone, but that's when I want a cig the most. I still haven't figured out how to handle that one. Maybe a cup of tea when the phone rings?

So if you figure out what your bottom line trigger is, you'll be ahead of the game :-)

I started smoking at 14 and quit two years ago at the age of 48! I had tried many times before I was successul. What worked for me was not having "just one" every now and then. That always led to more......

Whenever I had cravings, I would envision me in bad weather outside smoking or I would think about all the times I was somewhere I couldn't smoke and the cravings were unbearable. Whenever I would see someone outside smoking in bad weather it reminded me how grateul I am that it was not me outside smoking. Best wishes for your success with your surgery and your smoking.

mamaw,

Will be praying for strength for it all. You can do it! When I have to do something, I stop and think why I am doing it and who I am doing it for. That always helps me get through the rough times. But I know that the nicotine is a really hard one to conquer. I know that you will be able to get the best of it, though. You are a strong woman.

I'm sorry you have to go through this surgery, and I am praying for total success for it. Please have someone contact us ASAP to let us know how it all went, either here or on FB. IMO, it's the waiting that's the worst.

At least at times like these it is nice to have a large family to help. Do you have people taking care of the kids and helping you afterward?

God Bless and let me know specifically how to pray as the time nears....

{{{{HUGS}}}}

I pray that God will send you some guardian angels who will watch over you during your surgery and also be there to give you the support you need to quit smoking. Blessings 2 U.