It is over two months since I last puffed on a cigarette. Last week I stepped down from 21 mg. of nicotine (Step One) to 14 mg. (Step Two) and I definitely feel the 7 mg. difference.
I am not going to sugar coat this journey~~ there are days when I want a cigarette so bad, I could scream. Yet, the Warrior in me stays fortified and counseled by GOD ~~which keeps me ‘Standing Smoke Free'.
Well, let's get to some of the symptoms I have experienced in this period of
withdrawal from a few thousand poisons contained in cigarettes. First, let me update you on the plight of the INCNC. Its president was captured in the war and is placed on trial daily. Since, the membership of the INCNC only gained its strength from its president ~~most either were killed in the war or committed suicide rather then risk capture. The few who remain are in solitary confinement and are forced to watch the trials of their deposed leader. And, the Warrior in me stays vigilant and busy.
I did not get the cough and extra phlegm like one of my co-workers had after stopping to smoke. Yet, I did get tightness in my chest, which at one point I thought of going to the hospital. This tightness has subsided.
The patch causes the area it is placed to itch and a red area after its removal. I have to tape the patch on so it doesn't slip off. This reminds me of the rituals of a heroin addict. But, I am an addict it's just legal ~~I am an addict.
Now, one thing which surprises some ~~my appetite did not increase. In fact in the first few weeks ~~I lost my appetite. I did drink more water in the first couple of weeks and a mixture of water/orange juice.
In the first month or so I chewed sugar free gum, sucked on peppermint or butterscotch hard candies. The sugar free gum upsets my stomach, so I limit how much I chew now. My taste buds detect prepackaged foods are much too salty ~~so I cook from scratch more.
The sleepless nights increased, because the INCNC was campaigning hard. I thought about going to the doctor for a sleep aid, but didn't. What I did do was read more, knitted more than scarves ~~ I learned to knit a sweater. This project took about a week from beginning to end. It came out pretty good for a first sweater. My daughter is the recipient of it.
I finally finished crocheting an afghan which was begin sometime last year. I will complete another soon. As I learn more stitches, more items will emerge.
My creativity has risen seven folds. I am putting together a business plan to market my creations.
I have read in many articles on "quitting", one should set a goal. This I did ~~ an Olympus Evolt510 Digital Camera Kit (bag, 2 lenses and 1 GB memory card). This camera on QVC costs $754.96 without tax and shipping/handling. I created what I called a Goal Box ~~out of a recycled box. I pasted a picture with of the camera's specs and a multitude of pictures of some things I like on all sides of the box. There are inspirations saying on the box and it is completely sealed. On the top of the box, I cut a slit wide and long enough to make deposits toward the camera. You may be wondering how much I deposit and how often. It use to cost me approximately $42.00 a week to fund my addiction. This money is inserted in my Goal Box each week, I remain smoke free. In the third week of May, I will have enough money to purchase this camera.
