Nicotine stopped me healing

Just over two years ago I had no intention to quit. I found the process of trying to give up smoking way too much of an ordeal. Massive weight gain, stress and deprivation were not for me I had decided after several failed attempts. But then I broke my fibula and severed a ligament in my foot. I'd never had a problem with mobility before and it was quite a shock for me to be in pain and dependent on others to assist me with everyday activities. Every time the specialist x-rayed my leg over weeks, then months, I was devastated to learn that my bone just wasn't healing. The specialist couldn't understand why. A bone graft might have been necessary to fuse the bone. It would have meant that I would be spending even more months trying to recover from the operation. In desperation, I scoured the internet for clues why my bone was refusing to heal. I eventually came across an article that stated nicotine could inhibit bones from healing. Although I had been a heavy smoker for 35 years, I was willing to give quitting another try. Firstly, I told nobody of my intentions - I did not want the pressure of having people watch over my shoulder and judge me. Secondly, I still had some tablets from my doctor (from a previous failed attempt) that I took at first despite the fact they made me feel nauseous. I knew that I couldn't use any quit products with nicotine in them, so I'd take what I could to help me. Thirdly, my x-rays with my specialist were scheduled only three weeks from then - I told myself to suck it up for just three weeks. Once the time was up if the quitting thing made no difference - I could go right back to smoking I reassured myself. I stopped the quit tablets the doctor gave me because I felt too sick taking them. The three weeks passed slowly with the same quitting symptoms I had experienced previously. At the specialists I expected him to once again shake his head and click his tongue, but he smiled instead. 'It's started to fuse, finally,' he told me instead. I was so happy and relieved! To continue the process, I had to stay off nicotine. I admit that it was hard for me. It was especially hard because my weight increased by 15 kilos over two years which devastated me. And society is just as prejudiced about fat people as it is about smokers, I found. I have recently lost ten kilos, however, and I'm trying really hard to lose the last five. I feel much fitter than I did before - and richer! Most of all I feel so proud of myself. For many years I was afraid to quit, I told myself that I just couldn't do it which made me feel like a failure. The best ad on TV for me was the one that said that it takes a few attempts to successfully quit - I told myself that as I struggled those first few weeks. I wish everyone all the best with their quitting journey. It's hard and a process - but so worth it.