Sheer Determination

Hi to all I just wanted to tell all of you people out there who smoke a little about myself and why I need to and have already given up this disgusting habit. My name is Louise and I am 52 years old I have two children whom are non smokers I drummed it into them not to smoke thank God they listened.  I grew up in the 70's when just about everyone smoked including both my parents and all of 6 siblings we all started smoking at around age 14years when smoking was cool and there was no scientific evidence that smoking damaged your health. I would often get Broncitis on a regular basis and was not aware that everytime I got this terrible illness it was damaging my lungs then approx 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Emphysema also known as COPD I was not surprised really but at the same time I was very concerned and woriied for my future for once you get COPD it is a DEATH SENTENCE unless you stop smoking, if you stop it will slow down the disease but it cannot be cured it progresses much slower than someone who continues to smoke. Things I have noticed about this disease is that on excertion you get short of breath, you may also get a barrel shaped chest which is not very attractive, it can also distort you back as well and the colour of you skin may change due to lack of oxygen not very nice to look at and I beleive it can be a terrible death somehting I am not looking forward to. Once you have this disease you have to walk everyday twice a day, you must stay away from people who smoke, change of diet is also important you can find out information on the net about this and you will need to have regular check ups at your doctors to make sure everything is ok. At this stage of my life I am going ok currently I am on the patches and chewing gum which is working well I have tried the Champix it also worked well but it made my hair fall out so I opted for the patches this time. More often than not it takes more than one attempt to give up the fags it can take numerous attemps don't ever think for one minute that because you failed the first second or third time you will never suceed keep trying you will suceed in the end just as I have, this would be my 6th or 7th attempt. Please do it for yourself I promise you it will be worth the effort I feel so much better not smoking and it has only been a couple of days.