1 day, 18 hours, 58 minutes and 16 seconds
Posted at 8:58 AM EST Sunday, February 22nd

My Quit Date is: 2/20/2004 2:00:00 PM
Time Smoke-Free: 1 day, 18 hours, 58 minutes and 16 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 44
Lifetime Saved: 8 hours
Money Saved: $17.58

I have had mild chronic bronchitis, "smoker's cough" for many years now. Chronic bronchitis is THE most frequent disease among smokers, there's no cure for it and it often leads to Emphysema. Mine is not full blown and can be managed ... but quitting smoking is a MUST.

When you have chronic bronchitis your air passages produce too much mucus. This mucus cannot be removed in the usual way because of damage caused by smoking and instead it is coughed up as phlegm. EVERY morning when I got up and brushed my teeth, I'd hack up some yellowy-brown phlegm (sputtum). This would often happen at night too. My chest always felt tight when I took a deep breath (from the lungs having too much mucus in them.) HOWEVER, after only two days, I did NOT hack up smoker's phlegm today!!! Breathing is easier. WoW~!

My cravings for cigarettes are still there, but they are not QUITE as bad today ... (so far - anyway). This afternoon will be a challenge. First I have to drive my van to work (just being in my van is a HUGE trigger), then go to work (where the store is closed and I'll be all alone). Having been a 'closet-smoker' for so long, just being alone anywhere is a trigger. I normally smoke when I go to work, because there is no one there to stop me! And I would actually look forward to the opportunity to do so! Now I'm almost afraid that the temptation will be too strong for me to resist. Hell, no matter how crappy smoking is for your body, I enjoyed it!!!

Tonight will be my biggest challenge yet. Dennis is going on the night shift and will leave at 9:30 p.m. this evening and be gone till 7:30 a.m.. NORMALLY, I would stay up VERY late, working on the computer and chain smoking, with the windows open (despite the sub-zero freezing cold!) So not only would I be buring up money on cigarettes, I'd burn extra money on our gas bill for heating the house (and the outdoors). God, no wonder we're always broke!!!

===== QUIT TIP =====

-- Dealing with Frustration --

You are now a couple days out from your quit day and may be finding that the little problems in life seem incredible difficult. It's an effect of the withdrawal from nicotine and it will pass in a couple of weeks.

You don't have to smoke to deal with frustration. You can choose a different response. Learn to handle frustration in healthy ways. If you can, get alone for a few minutes, take deep breaths, and slowly count to ten. You might try clenching your fists for a count of five, then shaking out your hands several times; imagine getting rid of some of that frustration as you shake your hands out, like a dog gets rid of water by shaking after a swim. Do this several times, followed by a few slow and calming breaths.

-- Don't Smoke --

===== N.O.P.E Not One Puff Ever =====