Quitting smoking.

As most of you know I am an ex smoker. Or should I say an ex Heavy smoker. At the end I smoked up to 3 packs a day. I smoked for many years, I loved smoking. I loved my addiction. Cigarettes were my best friend, I could depend on them, they were with me through my divorce and through the good times too. In 2001 I got very sick, my chest was congested and I could not breathe, I coughed so hard I broke a rib. And the cough was non productive.. I had no insurance so I held off going to the doctor. This almost cost me my life. After being sick for almost 2 months I ended up in the ER. The damage I had done to my lungs was irreversible and I had low o2 levels. To make a long story short, I ended up on oxygen 24/7 and I have been since late 2001. Had my lungs not been damaged by years of smoking I would not be hooked to a machine 24 hours a day. Part of this disease is its slow progression. I grow weaker and weaker. I do very little any more. I have a lady who cleans my house for me. A special friend who does my shopping and of course my family who are quick to come to my aid no matter how big or small my problem might be. There are many more friends who do wonderful kind things for me. (You know who you are) I heard horror stories of how hard it would be to quit smoking. It was not the easiest thing I have ever done but it really was not all that bad either. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself. If you are a smoker please consider quitting. Don’t be like me and wait too long. Please stop smoking now. I would not wish my limited life on anyone.