Do You Smoke?

[Karen]

It is a misconception, as someone mentioned, that lung cancer is caused solely by exposure to smoke, whether your own, or second-hand. Everyone is hurt by this misconception - smokers who get sick get much less sympathy than non-smokers. Nonsmokers who get sick are automatically assumed to have been smokers at some point.

No one "deserves" cancer.

It is the same, as Edwina's Secretary mentioned, with liver problems. People are automatically assumed to be drunks. My friend's dad died of cirosis of the liver despite never drinking alcohol. It was very hurtful to his young son (aged 12 when his dad died) to hear rumors of his father not only being an alcoholic, but someone who just must have hid his "drinking problem."

We do not know everything that causes cancer, nor everything about cancer. Genetic causes, predispositions, certain exposure factors - all can be contributing factors, but science has not advanced to the point where we can say what causes whose cancer.

I heard on tv that they DO have a cure for cancer, but the 'gubment' won't allow them to do clinical trials. Pathetic.

This sounds completely false to me. Cancer is not ONE thing that they could "have a cure" for. Cancer is many many different diseases - cancers of the blood, tumorous cancers, cancers of the lymph systems - they all seem very different.

There are treatments - and indeed cures - for some kinds of cancers. That's why we have people like Robilee and others among us. They are former cancer patients who survived.

Whoever "they" is that "have a cure for cancer," how are they different than the thousands of medical researcher who are working to find a cure? Why would the government not allow clinical trials? There are, I am sure, thousands and thousands of clinical trials now going on. How could "the government" prevent someone from having clinical trials if they provide their own funding?


Smoking is awful. It is addictive. It causes so many problems, not just lung cancer.

If there is anything *I* could do to help anyone quit, I would, and will, do it. Just let me know. I am serious.

It's my soapbox, and I'm staying on it.

[cyber-sibes]

I commend all of you who have quit smoking - probably one of the hardest yet most worthwhile things you've ever done! Smoking is one of those things I never did because my Dad smoked and I hated it growing up. I did try one once but I got such a bad headache and nausea that I never tried again!
But my husband used to smoke and quit like 20 years ago - now he can't stand being anywhere near smoke. He gets lung infections really easily and exposure to smoke can set him back for days. I get the feeling smokers think he's being stuck up because he refuses to go where people smoke, but I know he's just watching out for his health.
If you just can't quit yet, try giving it up for just one day. Try again the next day. "Progress, not perfection"

[sandragonfly]

never ever. the first and last ciggie I had was at age seven, offered by a drunk young adult. I knew I never liked it since that raining night with truck headlights in my eyes.

I get upset & sad (or grrr sometimes) when I smell smokes. I get bad skullaches and could throw up if I smell it for too long. even now, thinking about smoking, I feel sick. my sister started loving her ciggies when she was 14 and we lived under the same roof for three years -- I always begged her to lit the ciggie at least six houses away but she refused & never respected me. then stopped blowing in my face after I threw up on her bed once after I told her I would. (for my cats' sake too). now she's trying very hard to stop and I'm more than happy to support her all way.

I'll never forget one of our special night with three friends - what my smok-friends did, (the gross'est' solution & it worked for them) was fill a glass of water and leave it in a spot for seven days. put every ciggie you smoked until the seventh day. take out all ciggies with fork, leave the water, ciggy crumbs in!! and DRINK. I was there with them and said "just DO IT, a drink worth for life - you will not die." they did altogether on three. few minutes later, they threw up and one of them got sick for four days but they all never wanted to smoke ever again. I was surprised with how this has ended...has been almost over two years now, not a ciggie back in their hands.

maybe you gals/guys can try that...please be with your friends, you would need someone to be with you and support, comfort you after!

[the fact: average of how many times the smoker who tries to quit before the last day of its ciggie is eight time.]

there was a poster somewhere and I loved it. a picture of driver with ciggie in his mouth, asked his passenger.. "do you mind if I smoke?" the passenger said, "do you care if I die?"...

sorry this was/is another challenge for you, I wish you for a red lung very soon - all best luck to you!!

..gina