The Vent and Rant Thread

[Skibble]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I had that same problem for years! Every single year for almost 30 years, when I'd catch a cold, it turned into bronchitis. Then I stopped smoking. Haven't had bronchitis since... 14 years, 5 months today!

Wow! Good for you! I have heard horror stories about how hard it is to quit smoking, and seen multiple friends try and fail. I admire your perseverance!

Alas, my bizarre propensity for bronchitis cannot be explained by smoking, as I have never done so. I have joked in the past that my decade of teaching was the equivalent of being involved in biological warfare; I am now beginning to wonder if that may be closer to the truth than I want to admit.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Skibble

Wow! Good for you! I have heard horror stories about how hard it is to quit smoking, and seen multiple friends try and fail. I admire your perseverance!

Thanks, but I didn't quit. I'm a cigarette smoker who hasn't smoked in 14 years and five months. One day at a time.

Alas, my bizarre propensity for bronchitis cannot be explained by smoking, as I have never done so. I have joked in the past that my decade of teaching was the equivalent of being involved in biological warfare; I am now beginning to wonder if that may be closer to the truth than I want to admit.

I believe it! I never had so many illnesses as when I was teaching, and since retiring from the podium, have been healthy as a horse! Well... as an old horse...

Stitchawl

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by Skibble

Just once, I would like to catch a cold or virus and not have it turn into a bout of bronchitis. When your doctor lets you call in for "the usual prescriptions" because the diagnosis is old hat, it's gone beyond amusing and well into ridiculous. *uses inhaler* I feel like that wheezing kid on "Malcolm in the Middle." Seriously, lungs, get a grip.

I feel better already, having ranted. ^_^

Feel better. I just got over walking pneumonia so I know how badly it sucks.

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

Annoyed at the results of Ms. Universe

I know, it has to be rigged. Those bloody women from Earth win every year.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by wannabee

I know, it has to be rigged. Those bloody women from Earth win every year.

Stitchawl

[Skibble]

Originally Posted by wannabee

I know, it has to be rigged. Those bloody women from Earth win every year.

*high five* Now that's the kind of medicine I needed! (And thank you, ProfCrash!)

[dreams]

Skibble and Betty - I hope you feel better soon..

Groan.. Why is it that every year I think I have everything under control and taken care of then I realize that I still have a long list of things to be done? I hate having to go out to stores at this time of year.

[ProfCrash]

My COSTCO run was surprisingly easy. Expensive but easy. Hopefully we have everything we need, or most of everything that we need.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I had that same problem for years! Every single year for almost 30 years, when I'd catch a cold, it turned into bronchitis. Then I stopped smoking. Haven't had bronchitis since... 14 years, 5 months today!


Stitchawl

ditto here on the chronic bronchitis until I quit. I also had very dark rings under my eyes, I kind of think I may have been allergic. and I have QUIT! rarely have an urge to smoke, even when smoking other substances... (hey! I DO live in WA state!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

. and I have QUIT! rarely have an urge to smoke,

If I were to tell myself that I actually have successfully 'quit,' I'd be too tempted to try to 'smoke just one' at a party or perhaps at a bar. So I'm still working on it. I too only get the 'thought' to smoke one (not even an urge, just a thought) about once every 3-4 months.

Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

I smoked one the night of my uncle's wake, one or two during my dad's final illness, but really had no urges to do so at the time, it was almos a self defence mechanism

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I smoked one the night of my uncle's wake, one or two during my dad's final illness, but really had no urges to do so at the time, it was almos a self defence mechanism

I smoked that 'just one' too many times and busted too many 'quits' to allow myself to think I really want just one... I must have tried to quit a dozen or more times, often for months, and once even for two years... and then smoked 'just one.' Was back to a pack and a half a day within a few weeks. This is the first time I've been able to get away from it. But I have to do it one day at a time. Like the sober alcoholic who hasn't taken a drink in 25 years. He knows he's still an alcoholic and won't drink today, and prays he won't drink tomorrow. Me too. I didn't smoke yesterday. I won't smoke today. And I pray I won't smoke tomorrow. One day at a time. ODAT!


Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

I guess I am very lucky. I was quite close the afternoon after I blew my knee out on the slopes. when I was picked up at the e.r., there was a pack of smokes on the console, my hand hovered, and when I didn't succumb to THAT one, I think I knew I had won. it has been over five years now! ;o)

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I guess I am very lucky. I was quite close the afternoon after I blew my knee out on the slopes. when I was picked up at the e.r., there was a pack of smokes on the console, my hand hovered, and when I didn't succumb to THAT one, I think I knew I had won. it has been over five years now! ;o)

Fourteen years, four months, one day, 3 hours, 17 minutes.
157114 cigarettes not smoked, saving $47,134.23.
Time used for better things: 1 year, 25 weeks, 6 days, 12 hours, 50 minutes.


(The 'time used' part estimates five minutes spent smoking a cigarette)
This is a free aplet that served as a very nice visual 'biofeedback' reward in the first few years of my stopping. I don't look at it very often these days, but it's there if I need it. I LOVE seeing how much money I've been able to use for better things!

Stitchawl

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Fourteen years, four months, one day, 3 hours, 17 minutes.
157114 cigarettes not smoked, saving $47,134.23.
Time used for better things: 1 year, 25 weeks, 6 days, 12 hours, 50 minutes.


(The 'time used' part estimates five minutes spent smoking a cigarette)
This is a free aplet that served as a very nice visual 'biofeedback' reward in the first few years of my stopping. I don't look at it very often these days, but it's there if I need it. I LOVE seeing how much money I've been able to use for better things!

Stitchawl

You forgot to mention the savings in health care costs your realized during those fourteen years!