Just lost another patient to emphysema.

[Aristus]

Damndamndamndamndamn...

WHEN ARE YOU SMOKERS GOING TO STOP SMOKING?!?!?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Oh, my dear Aristus...

These destructive habits are maddening. I am so sorry...

[csziggy]

2. My MIL has been in hospital for emphysema since December 29

She started smoking at the age of 15. Even when she lost 40% of one lung to cancer she didn't stop smoking. The damned doctor told her that the cancer was not caused by her smoking.

She's been on oxygen for nearly a decade - THAT finally got her to stop smoking since without the oxygen she couldn't breathe well enough to function at all. She keeps getting bronchitis and in December it went to pneumonia. We thought we were going to lose her. She spent 16 days in ICU and ten days in the regular hospital ward.

Last week she got transferred to a rehab hospital. Her big success so far is being well enough to let them put her in a wheel chair. She's not able to help them do it, mind, just being transferred is beyond her. At least she's made it this far - I didn't think she was going to survive being taken out of ICU.

This week the family has to figure out what to do from here. Her insurance won't cover her being in the rehab hospital much longer. I'm not sure it will cover a nursing home. I'm not sure she will survive going home even with home healthcare.

I just found out that a young friend smokes and gave him hell. I'd been talking to him about what's going on with MIL and he was upset about that - then he lit up and I lit into him. His buddy is using what he calls snuff as a way to avoid smoking. I gave him a hard time, too, and told him about a man I knew that lost his entire lower jaw from chewing.

Tobacco is insidious. I hate that shit.

[In_The_Wind]

3. It's horrible to watch someone die from emphysema.

[roguevalley]

4. it is a terrifying ordeal for everyone involved.

My dad, both grandpas, six uncles, one aunt, five cousins dead from smoking. I am bereft of relatives and hate smoking with such fury it scares me sometimes. I wish you well. You do the work of the angels.

[In_The_Wind]

7. I'm so sorry, roguevalley.

I lost someone very special because he couldn't quit. He tried. He was my rock. He'll be gone 23 years this June but he lives on in my heart. I remember the good times and, to this day, I still grieve for my loss.

[roguevalley]

8. oh god. I hate this. I miss everyone everyday and when I see smoking it makes me so upset for people

I hug you in my heart. They are always around us anyway. We just have to listen harder. Love lives forever. Take care, honey. I know how you feel.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I had read that smoking rates were down to 23% of population, which is encouraging.

My Mom died of lung cancer at age 57. 40 years of smoking non-filtered Pall Mall did her in.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. Most of them are poor n/t

[a kennedy]

11. Which is so weird because the cigarettes are SOOOOOOOO expensive...... eom

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. I agree, but when you live in a stressful environment

things that provide instant gratification are more tempting. Whether it's cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, junk food, you name it, they all hit the same pleasure centers in the brain. Using provides a bit of relief, however temporary.

If you haven't heard about the Rat Park experiment, you might find this interesting:

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html

[Wounded Bear]

9. My condolences...

I know it must be hard for a doctor to watch helplessly while a patient dies, especially when it was likely at their own hand like that.

Keep the faith, bro.


I smoked for about 10 years. Quit during the Carter administration. Never regretted quitting at all.

[a kennedy]

12. Quitting was the hardest thing I've ever done........miss it terribly, but soooooooooo happy I quit.

and I know that if I have even one puff, I'd be back, they are much more powerful then they've ever been. The tobacco companies know how to manipulate the tobacco to keep you hooked. Horrible, horrible habit.

[area51]

10. One of my co-workers on my shift was a smoker,

and he's currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer. Sadly, this hasn't dissuaded my other smoker co-workers on the shift to stop.