VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Drew · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:00 am Post subject: Well, It's Been Two Weeks...

...since I put a cigarette to my lips and fired it up. And anybody's who's had the pleasure of being in my presence the past fortnight can attest to the fact that I can be a real sonofabitch.

A 31 year habit ain't easy to kick. And even after fourteen days of being smoke-free, the urge to light up can be pretty strong.
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:03 am Post subject:

Keep on keepin' on - that's great Drew!
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brianforrester · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:13 am Post subject:

Drew... keep up the tough work! It's not easy kicking the butts...

I smoked my last one just about 2-months ago, and I've gotta tell ya, after I got past the first couple of weeks, the ride was relatively easy. However, now I feel better than ever. I have more energy, I can actually run up a flight of stairs and not nearly collapse a the top, AND... doing narrations is easier! I can carry those long, poorly written sentences without trouble!

Whatever you do, don't fool yourself and "just try one to see if I still like it"! YOU WILL, and then the torture that you've gone through (and put everyone around you through Wink

) over the past two weeks will be for nothing!

Good on ya!

Brian
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Deirdre · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:27 am Post subject:

Congrats!

I don't envy you this passage.

Best of luck in the continuation of clear airways.
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Tom Greenlee · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject:

Drew....CONGRATS! Keep us posted on your continued success. I am a smoker and it's been a 32 year habit for me. You just may serve as my inspiration. I always use the length of my addiction as an excuse to anyone who nags me to quit. I always say it's easier for someone who has ONLY smoked for 10 years or whatever than someone who has smoked for as long as me. You are up there with me. If you can do it.....so can I. I've been SERIOUSLY contemplating it for a month now and the thought of quitting scares the crap out of me.......I'm addicted AND I happen to like it....everything about it.....If you make it to the month mark, and I think you will.....I'm gonna go for it! Good luck Drew, and you may end up being my motivation. I'm really proud of you....and I mean that. I know what you must be going through. Hang in there!
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Drew · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks, all.

Tom, I don't suggest you attempt to quit without help. There was no way in hell I could do it cold turkey. I worked out a plan with my doctor using Wellbutrin along with a cigarette reduction schedule that would have me smoke-free over the course of a month. Each day I'd reduce the amount of cigs I smoked keeping an eye on my quit date. Turns out I got down to two smokes a day about a week before the date and figured, "WTF. Quit now instead of next week."

It's been difficult, but not as difficult as I had imagined. Ya gotta want to. There's really no magic pill, gum or patch.
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Tom Greenlee · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject:

OH DAMN! Well that changes things. I've tried the Wellbutrin route.....I'm one of the rare few that it has no effect on whatsoever.....The doctor even doubled my dose and it was just as if I wasn't taking anything....no effect whatsoever, even outside the smoking arena....it just did absolutely nothing. I've tried the patches......I'm allergic to the adhesive and after about 3 or 4 hours I'm left with a huge blister the size of the patch. Those blisters have left scars. So no Wellbutrin (tried Zantac too).
No patches. The gum makes me physically ill so I can't chew it long enough to do me any good.....so, I'm left with cold turkey.......ain't gonna happen!
I've tried that before and I'd rather......never mind. hahahahaha I'm happy for you anyway Drew. I have no doubt you're gonna make it. Good on ya!
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"Communication without intelligence is noise; Intelligence without communication is irrelevant."

Gen. Alfred. M. Gray, USMC
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mcm · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:06 pm Post subject:

Pretty amazing what you're doing Drew.

And a great idea to tell the gang here. Cuz ya know we'll be watching you. And rooting for you.

Dave · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Well, It's Been Two Weeks...

Hang in there Drew...

I quit a three pack a day habit cold turkey... (this was in the old days before there were medical alternatives) Regardless, it ain't easy...it sure as %&#@& ain't fun...but it is worth it big time! You'll thank yourself for the rest of your life with which you will have added too there-of and henceforth. Whew, this day has been toooo long.
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COURVO · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject:

Drew,

Never been a smoker but lemmee add my support to your undoubtedly tough mental challenge. Hang in there....and let us know when you've completed your first iron-man triathlon ;-}

Courvo
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BenWils · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject:

Awesome Drew. Good work!
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Christopher French · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:49 am Post subject:

Drew, if you can quite smokes, you can quit ANYTHING! Somking is the hardest addiciton to quit. In working as an addictions counselor, I know a bit about that. Usually smoking is the addicition that helps people kick other addicitions (booze, cocaine, heroin, etc.). I applaud you, sir! Keep up the good work. And don't worry, the "sonofabitch" stage should be passing right about now. Especially if it's been two weeks! KEEP IT UP and CONGRATS!!!

Chris
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anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

Spacegypsy · Guest

Good goin' Drew!

I look forward to the days I don't have to do breath edits for free just because I don't want the client to hear the wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze Smile

I know, terrible.

You're free of all that now! Hooray!

Drew · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

Again, thanks, all. I'm still keeping away from them cigs... this in spite of the fact that the wife is still smoking. But for some odd reason, I'm not all that affected by her smoking. The urges still come...but at odd times...usually when Kate isn't smoking. Each day though, the urges seem a little more distant. I'll be glad when I'm three months quit...then I can get off the Wellbutrin. I'm not digging the side effects.

Yeah, Kat, I know the wheeez thing. What's cool...is that in just a couple of weeks the wheez is pretty much gone. Been working on a narration this week and noticed that I haven't had to edit out any wheezing.
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