Tough but so worth it.

Three weeks ago yesterday I quit my 25 year smoking habit with the help of champix. I knew the journey would be hard but probably not as tough as it has been. I was lucky that the champix didn't have any negative pshyc effects which I honestly didn't need to deal with in addition to a quit of this magnitude.

I quit smoking exactly two weeks after commencing the champix programme. I liked smoking to be honest and it was like giving up a best friend but after 25 years I could see the effects of my habit taking a physical and aesthetic toll on me and knew my time was up by my choice or it would be made for me.

I can't say the night sweats, realistic dreams, constipation and headaches were a walk in the park; as they weren;t. They were downright hideous but instead of reverting back to my habit I thought of this process as my body detoxifying itself and a process that would only last a few weeks. I was glad I did hang in there. It was the toughest couple of weeks ever but so worth it.

After passing the 3 week mark the rewards far outweigh the temporary negative effects and many of them were unexpected bonuses that I am so happy about. Serveral are:

- clearer and firmer skin

- improved skin tone

- easier breathing

-increased circulation

-more money in my bank account (this was incredible)

-shinier hair

-no smoke smell

-less stressed (strange but true)

-more confident (if I can manage this I can do anything)

-clean ash free car (gee I hated that)

It is for all these reasons that it is far more beneficial to stick with your quit campaign. We all know what it is like to be a smoker and whilst smoking that cigarette we catch ourselves looking at the dam thing and wishing we could give them up and knowing how much damage they are doing. Go with your gut and listen to it as it's really talking to you.

When you have quit and you are suffering some of the temporary side effects just remind yourself that they are temporary and will pass. Also remind yourself that chemotherapy treatments will be far worse to deal with than a temporary quit campaign and stick with it. It's worth it; trust me.