If I can quit and stay quit, anyone can!

 I am a 49 year old woman and breast cancer survivor that USED to smoke a pack to two, sometimes three packs a day.  I smoked for 30 years.  That was then, this is now...freedom, finally! I quit using the Quitnet site (actually Living on the quitnet site) and created a cancer survivor club there and although I don't visit there much anymore, I found people that cared about ME and my addiction to cigarettes...an expensive and smelly habit that arose when I was in my teens, when cigarettes were "the thing"...yeah, right. It's embarrasing to think I smoked all through my chemotherapy and mastectomy...wow, what I didn't know then.

   It will be my 3 year anniversary on Jan. 1st of 2008...I feel wonderful without the smell of smoke in my house, without the smell on my clothing and hair, and especially hugging my children (who are also quitters) and my wonderful Grandchildren who may never remember seeing their Grandma smoke. I want to make memories and let them remember me, a non smoker.

  I have had the total support of my wonderful husband (a nonsmoker) and children, but I do have the Quitnet to thank for the largest part of my success. I know without the help of the Q, I wouldn't have succeeded for the first few day, months, then finally years. To those of you who are having trouble quitting and staying quit, I suggest going to the Q with friends, family, and finding your "safe" zone.  Clubs, and asking questions are always there 24 hours a day, and knowing that you CAN quit is important...you are not ever alone.  In summary, I love my life as a nonsmoker. I can hug without embarrassment of cigarette smell, I can breathe better, and as a cancer survivor, I know I may just live a little longer....I just feel bad I didn't find the Q sooner...like 30 years ago!

Deanne Jensen, nonsmoker and loving it!