Updated June 08, 2015.

This is a very special milestone for me. In 10 more days I will be going to California to spend Mother's Day with my mom and oldest sister. For the first time in years, I will be able to be around my mother and not fear that she will smell smoke on me. Oh, she knew I did smoke, but I always told her, "yes mom, I?m cutting down". I didn?t want to hear the lectures.

My mom has emphysema from second hand smoke, so it was hard for her to be around me.

The cigarette smell would trigger her cough. I'm so excited about this trip, as it will also be the first time flying since I quit and I don?t have to worry anymore about going through nicotine withdrawal on the planes or on my layovers. I always hated that and when I did fly, I always looked for a restaurant that allowed smoking. I remember when I paid $5.00 for a cup of coffee or a diet soda just so I could have that "fix". Now, some airports don?t even let you have a lighter anymore on your person.

In this past half year, there have been many changes in my health.

• First and foremost, that awful smoker?s cough is gone. I do not wheeze, and my voice isn?t raspy anymore.
• I can swallow a glass of milk without having trouble swallowing and feeling like my esophagus is closing in on me.
• My asthma is so much better, but I still use my inhalers, and at times, I can feel the damage in my lungs that smoking has caused.
• My sinuses are better and I don?t cough up that awful, disgusting phlegm, like when I used to have those sinus infections.

• This past winter was the first winter where I didn?t have the yearly bronchitis.
• My complexion is wonderful, and no more yellow finger tips. I used to hate putting nail polish on and having the true color of the polish turn yellow in a day from smoking.
• My teeth are whiter and my breath smells nice.
• I, myself smell nice.
• No more burn holes in my clothes or finding dirty ashes on the carpet; a lot less cleaning to do also.
• I have so much more energy to go outside and do things like walking, working in the yard without getting winded. I can smell the fragrances of flowers this spring and summer; the fresh air and the smell of a springtime rain.

It is just AWESOME being SMOKE FREE!!!

I have finally found the peace in my quit. Yes, I still get the occasional craving, but deep breathing helps and they go away in no time flat now. I still carry around Fisherman?s Friend cough drops just in case of that one craving that you don?t expect. These cough drops are great for fighting craves and are all natural.

My advice to newbies: keep focusing on your quit and remember N.O.P.E. and take your quit one day at a time. When you hit a milestone, pamper yourself and treat yourself to something nice, like a well deserved massage or a new outfit or even just a nice hot bubble bath(one of my favorites). When you get depressed or feel that craving to smoke, come to the forum and post and read the articles. Remember to have fun also with your quit and to laugh daily, it truly does help and makes the time go by fast.

I have so much gratitude for this forum and the wonderful people here. You are very special to me and thank you all for your support, love, and friendship. Hoping to see all of you 7%ers and 80%ers in that clubhouse in another 6 months waiting for me, because I have every intention of being there! Looking to continuing this lifetime journey with you...

Stacie

Six months, 10 hours, 56 minutes and 58 seconds. 2721 cigarettes not smoked, saving $612.27. Life saved: 1 week, 2 days, 10 hours, 45 minutes.