Day 4

Getting there slowly but surely. I am finding the craving are getting less and less. However, I do get the urge after meals and yesterday something a bit stressful happened and I wanted a cigarette. I'm still coughing a lot which can be a bit annoying but it is just my lungs clearing themselves - I hope!!

Went into Dunfermline town centre yesterday with Mike and bought us something nice each. Well, it did not work out quite right when Mike spent £8 and I spent £1. It did feel nice to have that little bit extra to treat ourselves. After being in the town centre, we visited Mike's sister and for a change we did get up to go and have a cigarette whilst we were there.

Today we had another long walk. My legs were not as sore as they have been so we managed a couple of miles. We tooke some bread for the swans and a bag of peppermints for the horses. The air seems to be clearer and I feel a lot better in myself.

Started to make plans about redecorating the house as (to be honest) the place looks disgusting. Also will need new curtains I think or at least take a wee trip to a laundrette and see if a woman resembling Dot Cotton will do a service wash!!

Day 3

Another day of being a non smoker. The physical side is getting better although I am coughing up total yuck. Just goes to show what I have been putting into my lungs. Mentally, well, coping ok for the moment. Trying to distract myself and do new things like knitting - which I actually only know one way and it's probably the wrong way. Today I went shopping and walking past a woman who was smoking. The smell was really horrible and makes me realise what others around me have had to put up with for so many years.

But, I did not buy cigarettes or even contemplate it!!

Yesterday was a good day. Mike and I went for a long walk - well twice round Townhill Loch. So in total yesterday I walked four and a half miles. Suffering today - I have a condition called Fibromyalgia and am really meant to gentle exercise so I ache all over and even a warm bath is not helping.

Going to have a nice relaxing day.

Just me, a mug of mocha, some magazines and my nicotine patch!!

Day 2

What an interesting 24 hours but at least I can no say I AM A NON-SMOKER!!!


My partner and I visited our GP yesterday morning and discussed what NRT would suit us.I am on patches and Mike is on the inhalator. Been told it's the best thing I've done in my life.....hmm I am sure there are other things that are as equally great! We collected our prescriptions. Mike could use his inhalator immediately but ther was no way I was standing in a pharmacy trying to put on a NRT patch. We walked home rather quickly with Mike puffing on the bit of plastic and me, well ,not happy. On the way home, we talked about all the things we could do now and planned to start walking again as we used to go out every day. Arrived home and instantly put my patch on. Did not feel anything at first but then started to feel itchy around the patch and it looked very red. Checked online to see if this is normal....it was.

Had lunch and was a bit jittery afterwards as I would normally have a cigarette. Put the thought out of my mind and thought of buying a nice handbag with the money I will save! I had to go out again to a regular appointment that does stress me out and again I normally would have had a cigarette again but I managed a strod right into the building -  the appointment was even more stressful and I so wished to have a cigarette.

It is now Tuesday morning and I have managed quite well. Mike had a shaky moment last night but he soon bounced back to the giving up process. the first patch comes off in a few hours and the second goes on. I think today will be easier, tomorrow will be odd as that is the day I normally buy our cigarettes and tobacco. I have put myself in the mindset that I could buy myself a glossy magazine and Mike could have something he wants. And in the coming days and weeks, we can go out for meals and go to the cinema with the money we have saved.

Day 1

Okay, so today is the day I take my life back....sort of!

I first tried smoking around the age of 14.It was nothing serious - you know how experimental teenagers are - and to be honest I did not really like it...I never even inhaled!! I would say that I properly started smoking around the age of 16. I went to college and sat with friends who did smoke and that ol' peer influence got to me.



That was 21 years ago and I am a heavy smoker at times and a light smoker at times. Nevertheless, I HAVE to STOP now. My health is really bad, I have a various number of illnesses and stopping smoking would help a few of them.

So, today I venture down to my doctors surgery - along with Mike my partner -  and we will get our NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) because there is no way I could go cold turkey without killing Mike or having a problem with rage. I say that because, if I don't have a cigarette, I get so tetchy,angry and downright rude!!

So, this is going to be my QUIT blog. A space where I can record my progress, record my thoughts and instead of ranting at those around me I can bash the keyboard to oblivion (not really !!!)

Wish me luck......'cos I'm gonna need it!!!

L x