Stopped Smoking at 16!

[Pedaldog]

So today, 15th April 2012, is my 16th "Birthday"!  I know I'm 50 years old but I'm also 16 years alive.

On this day in 1996 I was living in Suffolk, a happily married man with a House, a wife and working as a Nurse in Essex.  I've always had motorbikes since I was eight years old and had only stopped for a few months in 1995 when I got married and the finances of new house and such stuff meant that we had to be a bit carefuk for a while.  After my wife realised how much I missed two wheels we talked and I bought another Bike. It was a US imported Suzuki GV1200 Magura, shaft drive V4 engine. I got it on the 14th April 1996 and the next day set off for the 17 mile journey to work. Next thing I was aware of was being in a bed and hearing a mans voice saying "If he bleeds again we're going to lose him". I didn't have any feeling for what I'd heard and relaxed again. Next thing was 5 weeks later when I heard a femal voice saying "Hello" and opened my eyes to see what was happening. I had set off from home and the bike had siezed up on an "S-Bend" throwing me down the road about 55mph. The police later told my wife thatthe skid mark told them I had held it bloody well until it High sided me and that was the bit when my head hit the road and fractured the skull in three places. I'd been rushed to Hospital purely by the lucky fact of a woman that lived a few hundred yards away, it was a quiet country road, had heard a bang and looked out to see me laid in the road. She called the Ambulance and they ferried me to Colchester Hospital who did some tests and said that I needed to be in intensive care at a Brain Injuries specialist place and shunted me down to Romford. I was in the coma for 5 weeks or so and the first thing I did when I came round was to scream for cigarettes!  The Hospital staff were so stunned by my going from Vegetable to Smoker in a flash made them actually allow me to smoke in the hospital, again they thought I wasn't going to survive.
When I was discharged a few weeks later I had to have 24 hour care and movement was restricted to wheelchair and carer as I had no concept of real World and was almost totally hemiplaegic on my right hand side. The one thing that was continuous all through my waking hours was smoking. I started smoking when I was 8 years old and it was as normal as breathing for me. 12 months after I got home I was not the man that married my wife and not the man she married, if that makes sense, and we seperated. I moved to a rented house with Carers still and all my money went on smoking. In the past 16 years I have moved from wheelchair to walking sticks and am now pretty much self supporting in most ways. I still have permanent pain and some paralysis but I cope with it.  I lost my mother to Emphysema and my Father to Lung cancer. I am asthmatic as well. Guess what has been the only constant of the 16 years now SMOKING!
When I discovered Vaping at the end of February this year I was hopeful and the smoking went down to pretty much a pack a week or less!  Still not been able to call myself an ex smoker completely yet.  In 2008 I was so much in debt, buying cigarettes instead of paying debt, that I was judged Officially Bankrupt for a year. It meant that finances were really tighter than before and the only cruth that helped me through those times was..... SMOKING
Tonight I've been reading a few of the threads in the Success stories area of the board and it has made me do some serious thinking, not easy with a broken head!
I had a cigarette at 7-15pm on the 14th April and was going to have a walk out to the local shop to buy a 10 pack, I might not have smoked them all in a few days but I need to know I have them in case I need one.  I didn't!
When I were a lad it was illegal to buy cigarettes under 16 years of age so, on my NEW 16th Birthday I'm being a rebel and NOT buying any cigarettes.
For the first time in my life I have an acceptance in my mind that I've already HAD my last cigarette and, I feel a little nervous, don't actually want to smoke any more.  The One thing that I can see in my mind as being the Starter for my New Life is this Forum and the UK Vapers forum. Both places where the general attitude of the members gives me a feeling of Motivation, empathy and support.
Thank you all for that and I am happy to be a part of something that can make a difference to somebody as addicted as myself.

Sorry for the Long Winded post but it's my special Day and I want to let people know of my thanks

[CraigHB]

Wow, that's quite a story.

I'm also a motorcycle enthusiast and have had my share of get-offs.  I've been fortunate that I've never been seriously injured.  It's just a matter of luck.  There are two kinds of bikers, those that have gotten off and those that have yet to get off.  I just sold my latest bike a few months ago, but I'm not sure if I'm going to buy another one.  It was a dual sport bike and I mostly took it out off-road, but with the hazards of motorists not paying attention out there, I'm not sure if I want another street bike.

In any case, it's good to hear that you are getting on fairly well since the accident and congrats on 16 years alive and well.

Vaping has a very high success rate as a replacment for smoking so if you don't want to smoke, it's almost a guarantee that you will be able to vape instead.  I was the heaviest of smokers for 30 some years and have found vaping a more than adequate replacement.

[caz]

Wow PD  that is quite a story.   


I think you've done really great so far and we are all here if you need any advice or support.   


Congrats on your rebel quest 

[CYBORG]

 Good to see you have the acceptance you’re my mind that you’ve already HAD your last cigarette.
I think that’s a great way to state it.

[Pedaldog]

Thanks all. Going to bed now and try not to twitch too much after having a mouthfull of Nic' juice from a dodgy Clearomiser thingy just now

[Darth Vaper]

Hey Pedaldog thank you for sharing your story with us.

Hope you recover fully from your injuries....... and from the grips of smoking too 

[Knoton]

Hey Pedaldog, thanks for sharing your story with us.
Congratulations on your rebellion 

Me to was in a motorcycle accident 5 years ago, well Scooter, I am a scooter fan.
Got hit by a fast running car a dark and rainy day.
Broke my pelvis at 3 places and my tailbone to. Anyway I was in intensive care
for such a long time, screaming for cigs not getting any, that I went out of
cravings. But still the first thing when my wife wheeled me out in my wheelchair out of
the hospital was to demand a cig as soon as we was outside. It tasted horrible but I
forced myself to smoke it. so incredible stupid 

I am glad you are still around and that you find the den and joined us.
Have a nice day 

[Lettie22]

Wow PD, this is some story!   Thanks for sharing such personal things with us. 

Happy 16th birthday, and we wish you luck in your endeavor that last night's ciggie was your last!

[VP]

Nice post thanks for sharing and making me see the light. I was a biker as well and had enough accidents to know I was pushing my luck but it is a way of life. I am lucky I have a wife who enjoys the motorcycle life and knows it's dangerous, I had a nasty crash last year no where near as bad as yours but it has made me think about my life and my family. I finally sold my R1 last week, for the better or the worse. My family and my life have to come first I know I will miss it but after reading your story it just makes me know that I have done the right thing. Again thanks for sharing. 

[8Ball]

Hey PD.  Thanks for sharing this with us.  Quitting smoking is easy (I've done it hundreds of thousands, if not millions of times), it's the staying quit that's a bitch.  You can't do it for anyone else (only for yourself), and you can't do it unless you really want to do it and you're committed to quitting.  I've tried every way there is to quit (and someday I'll share all this in my own story), and vaping is the only way that I really feel stands a chance of making me successful.  Only time will tell about that.  But I do know that I didn't smoke yesterday (or since January for that matter).  I've not smoked today.  And I've no intention of smoking tomorrow.  So I think I'm on my way, and I think you're on your way too.   Just remember, you don't have to tell yourself that you're never going to smoke again if that's too much to get your head around (sorry, no pun intended ), just choose to not have a fag now.  "This time I won't have one, but I could have one the next time if I want".  Then the next time you want one, take a few hard hits off your PV.  Hold them.  Slowly exhale.  And choose to wait a little longer before you allow yourself a fag.  And if you can keep doing that, before you know it, you won't want a smoke so often (or almost never).  And before you realize it you'll be a year down the road and still not have had an analog.  Me?  I'm still a smoker (and a vaper).  But I'm a smoker that hasn't had an analog since January, and won't have one today, and probably won't have one tomorrow.... and maybe not have one for the rest of my life.  But I'm still a smoker.... I'm just a "non practising" smoker.  And I'm thinking if I get far enough "out of practise", then just maybe I'll forget how to be a smoker.
 
Happy "16th Birthday" to you PD.  And remember we're here if you're having a rough time of it and need someone to talk to.  And we're here even if you're not having a rough time of it and want someone to talk to and laugh with (or, in my case, laugh at).
 
P.S.  I'll just leave you with two thoughts: 1) Every analog you don't have is a good analog.  2) While I've fallen off the horse a time or two since I started vaping, I get up and get right back on, and that's something I would never do before I started vaping, so it's definitely easier when vaping.

[Pedaldog]

Thanks again for the thoughts. I like the idea of seeing each Tab not Smerked as being a positive!

I had a slow ride out on my trike today to celebrate the fact that I can

[maria d]

Wow PD that was a sad story, so happy that you are here with us and among friends . we are here for you, any time you need to talk or rant or anything just let us know. i like the way Nick said it best about not smoking, just 1 day at a time, sometimes its a hour or min at a time.
i pray all your injuries heal, so nice to have you with us.

[Puffball]

Just to remind you, Pedaldog...
 
You are amazing 

Wonderful story and thank you for sharing it with us, I'm finding all these personal stories very moving.
Beating the cigarette addiction is unspeakably difficult but we're all living proof that it's not the nicotine alone which makes us want to smoke. As has already been said so much better than I can; every ONE not smoked is a success.
Before you light up, take a few long, slow draws on your PV. It's a delight when you find that the urge has gone and you have another success to celebrate.
 
Be proud of yourself.
 

[Bearcat24]

Good to hear them stories of success, I myself considered myself a cool smoker untill I got myself into some trouble that included a serious car crash and being homeless for about 15 years. Keyryssst there was not much of me when i finnally got housed by the government.    The thing is when u find yourself getting some help u do have a lot of free time, and smoking that was once only a minor distraction becomes all pervasive. All power i say to the revolutionary purvayors of vape  This time it seems the times really are a'changing 

[Pedaldog]

Actally 16 years three thousand seven hundred and twenty nine hours when I stopped smoking.

24 hour anniversary since I extinguished my last cigarette as I write this post YET AGAIN!

[Lettie22]

Actally 16 years three thousand seven hundred and twenty nine hours when I stopped smoking.

24 hour anniversary since I extinguished my last cigarette as I write this post YET AGAIN!

Keep up the great work PD!   

[daredevil]

PD as Cy said the fact that your mind has already decided is a big factor in staying of the stinks and i'm glad that you came out the other side of your tragic accident it must have been a lot to take in to one min be on your bike the next in hospital you have vaping now and it's defo a great replacement i like to have something in my hand and blow clouds i can do that with vaping and that is a huge help to me now i can't even stand stinkies they actually make me feel a little sick when i get to close to someone smoking one it's rather crazy i have been vaping a year in December and already i hate the things i much prefer having a good vape and being smoke free i wish you luck and WELL DONE pal you have our support here always 

[jeddy 3]

Actally 16 years three thousand seven hundred and twenty nine hours when I stopped smoking.

24 hour anniversary since I extinguished my last cigarette as I write this post YET AGAIN!

Well I'm glad you did post again mate, coz I musta somehow missed the original...what a story!! Well done Ped, keep it going!!

[Gotridge]

Just saw this and...Wow...just Wow!  You've faced quite a lot of challenges and have managed to overcome them with grace and determination on your side.  An inspiration you are! 

[Ian]

Just saw this and...Wow...just Wow!  You've faced quite a lot of challenges and have managed to overcome them with grace and determination on your side.  An inspiration you are! 

Me too. It's a section on the forum that I don't frequent, not for any reason. I will now though. I'm subscribed to your thread about the HBOT treatment and wondered why you needed it. I didn't want to be too nosey and ask.....Powerful story.

[Kate]

It takes awhile to read through the section, I read them all when I first joined!  Some absolutely amazing success stories in there!  You're the greatest Pedaldog! 

[pwmeek]

PD,

Tough story. I'm not sure it was worth it, just to give up smoking but since it happened, you might as well accept the good along with the bad.

I gave up biking after a series of three accidents - all spectacular (one was a 650 Yamaha end over end three times), but fortunately no serious injuries. I finally realized that I was going to have to choose between biking and drinking, and chose drinking (not the best decision I ever made, but that's another story).

Keep on keepin' on and if HBOT has any positive effects, especially long-term effects, then you may get back to a more normal life. There are advances in pain management and rehabilitation every day, so something will work, sometime. Keep on vapin'.

[Jerry]

Most people, who have quit smoking, have had at least one unsuccessful try in the past. It is not important how many times you try to quit. The only important thing is, that eventually you stay quit

[pwmeek]

Most people, who have quit smoking, have had at least one unsuccessful try in the past. It is not important how many times you try to quit. The only important thing is, that eventually you stay quit

As my dentist once told me, "It's OK if you didn't quit this time; just don't quit quitting."

I will say that with all the times I tried and failed to quit over a 25 year period, I didn't have high hopes for vaping. However, I got myself all set up with plenty of equipment (a half dozen stick batteries, several chargers, and several dozen cartos of different strengths and flavors). I didn't ever mix smoking and vaping. Once I was set up, I had my last cigarette before I went to bed and began vaping in the morning. I never looked back. I have not needed a cigarette since I began vaping. (After a year, and a few time since, I have tried a test-my-conviction cigarette. I never got past the first few puffs; they tasted horrible, and the stink was really unpleasant.) It's been 3 1/2 years now. I vape very strong juice (~48 mg/ml) as I really like my nicotine. I feel better, I please my doctor, and I certainly smell better than when I was a smoker.

[Pedaldog]

39 months at (current prices) £16.00 PER DAY!  £20,000 not spent on Killing myself!  I've spent, a little bit, less than that on Vape-stuff.