To see it happen...

7 years ago, after trying for a family for 6 years, I was diagnosed with Kleinfelters Syndrome. For those that don't know, it is a very rare genetic mutation that gives an extra chromosome - instead of 46 chromosomes, I have 47. My genetic 'signature' if you like, is XXY instead of XX or XY. Kleinfelters also makes a person sterile. This condition only affects 0.001% of the male population of the world.

Therefore, in order to create a family we had to join the IVF program using a donor for the paternal side.

After 4 unsuccessful attemps, the 5th attempt worked and my wife fell pregnant. Throughout the entire process I smoked, albeit away from her.

11 weeks ago my life changed forever when my son was born. It took me a full 3 weeks to come to terms with the fact that he was my son, but once it hit me I began laying plans to quit smoking.

Since starting smoking 23 years ago, I've attempted to quit 17 times. I knew, from experience, that if I wasn't 90%, or more, committed to quitting, it wouldn't stick.

The last time I attempted to quit was 6 years ago. I used Champix to help me and suffered no side-effects. Not one. I lasted 7 months. I had been Champix free for 2 months when I started work with a new employer in manufacturing. My area of work was shared with the stores for the manufacturing operation. Both of the storemen were smokers and often smoked in the open warehouse door, where the smoke would blow through the warehouse (and me) 8 or 9 times a day. I lasted about 4 weeks before I caved and joined them in the doorway.

When my son was 4 weeks old I made the first positive step in my quit journey; I made an appointment with my GP and got a Champix prescription.

I was at about 70% commitment when I got it. I knew my commitment had to be higher so, even though I filled the prescription, I didn't start the course until I was ready. My wife was, and still is, full of support for letting me do things in my own time.

Over the next 5 weeks I filled my head with images of what my son might look like as he grows older, what he might become, where his life might take him... And my commitment grew.

I don't want to wake up coughing anymore. I don't want to constantly be clearing my throat. I don't want to wheeze anymore. I Want To Be Able To Sing Again Without Running Out Of Breathe. I WANT TO WATCH MY SON GROW UP.