Share your Story
There are many experiences we've all shared as smokers and non-smokers alike.
If you have a story you'd like to share with us and post on this website, please email your submissions to the link below:
Mary
My sister, Mary started smoking as a teen. She was beautiful when she graduated high school. She had the prettiest blue eyes I ever saw. She was a loving and caring sister, daughter, mother and wife. She developed colon cancer at age 49. The cancer soon spread to her lungs and liver. Mary received chemo therapy. The chemo left her weak, nauseated and subject to many infections. At age 50 they gave her 6 months to live. Mary struggled to survive. Her youngest child was not even a teenager.
Mary was under the care of hospice and wanted to stay at home with her family as the battle against cancer raged inside of her diminishing her body. She was totally bed ridden and needed oxygen to breathe. Mary at this point took little nourishment. She was able to swallow small sips of water and morphine to deaden the pain. She still was able to take a few drags off a cigarette. As shown in the enclosed pictures Mary had withered away from a beautiful teenager to a woman who looked like she was 90 years old. This is what 30 years of smoking had done for Mary and her family. Mary passed away at the age of 52 with her family by her side. Her youngest daughter had just turned 14 years old.
Heidi K.
I smoked for 33 years- I quit 179 days ago. I have tried to quit about 20 times. I quit using Chantix and changed my whole routine. I’m putting $6 [a day] away in a savings account and have over $1000 already!
Carolyn M.
I quit smoking in 1978 (30 years ago!) because I started jogging for health and since I could not do both (I got chest pains when I jogged), I decided to quit. I have never smoked another cigarette again and I’ve never had chest pains again.
Bonnie S.
Quitting smoking was the best thing I ever did! I have been smoke free for 15 years. It took me a long time to quit. It was a terrible, addictive habit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. You would be sorry.
M.S.
Quit 3-30-08
Used NRT (free from Cathy)
Why? It smelled and I couldn’t breathe well.
Advice: You have to be ready mentally.
Nita P.
15 years ago I was told I have a spot on my lung- I stopped smoking immediately.
Roberta F.
I quit smoking before for 6 weeks. Hen I started again. “Family stress”. Then the New Year 2008 came, the end of spring, beginning of winter, I got bronchitis three times. Every time it got worse, ear infection, upper respiratory infection. I went to the doctors- he told me to stop smoking or it will get worse and worse.
My son has also asked me to stop. For years he’s been on my case. So I DID!
22 days today!
Carol B.
I stopped smoking 19 years ago. I am glad I did stop! I feel 100% better, stopped coughing and I am saving money for other things. Now my clothes, apartment and car are smoke free.
Leah C.
Several years ago I started having headaches, which could not be positively pinned down. Many MD visits produced nothing. So, I stopped smoking and have had no headaches since.
Penny P.
I quit smoking 3 years ago when I got married because my husband and I waned to start a family. We didn’t feel it was appropriate to subject kids to that.
Larry N.
I stopped [smoking] because I was smoking 3 packs a day, coughing and feeling lousy. I went to a stop smoking program at St Mary’s by Sister Rita Jean. I’ve been smoke free since 1987. Great decision.
Susan R.
I smoked for 25 years and quit in 1997. I was convicted by the sin of addiction and desperately wanted to be healed. On Easter Eve, I prayed for Jesus to heal me, confessing my weakness and inability to quit in my own strength. On Easter morning, I awoke to the onset of my healing and have been smoke free now for 11+ years. Praise my Lord, Savior and Healer.
Jean V.
I quit smoking 24 years ago. I was a chain smoker- approximately 3 packs a day. I started when I was 16 years old. My children begged me to please stop- I was the only parent…I’m sure if I didn’t stop I would be dead today, but alas, I’m almost 67 and very healthy.
L.K.
I don’t smoke because both my parents smoked and died of lung cancer.
Jana S.
I never started smoking because second hand smoke bothers me- I’ve had fewer colds since the law prohibits smoking in public places.
Pat
Don’t smoke! Watching a loved one smoke 5 packs a day and die at 27 years old from cancer of the throat is a shocking experience.
Don’t smoke- You are too special to die young.
Joseph R.
Even though both my parents smoked, I never did. I am glad I never started because it gives my two young children motivation not to. Why would someone want to put poison in their body?