OK! I will not tell you to quit; but I will say that you'll most likely be sorry (like I am). I started smoking cigs when I was 18. I quit when I was 58. I smoked for 40 years! I quit numerous times, sometimes for several months. Always started back. I started having acute bronchitis when I was about 50 years old. I was having several bouts with it each year. So I started trying to quit again. Yes, it's tough. I would try to smoke less and less; but it just wouldn't work for me. I would smoke less than a pack a day for a month or so, then back to 2 to 3+ packs a day. I finally got to the point that just thinking about inhaling a cig would make me cough (literally). I lit one on 9/29/2000, took a puff, inhaled, and coughed until I could hardly breathe. I put it out and never touched another. My health got steadily better. I had a bout of bronchitis in 2008; but it wasn't very bad. In 2010, I started having trouble breathing when I was active. Just making a bed 'winded' me. In November, 2011, the doctor ordered a oxygen concentrator and told me to use when I needed it. He said that I could use it 24/7 if necessary. I took a test to see check my lung function. It was 35%. Yes, only 35%; I had lost 65% of my lung function! A year later, 2012, it was down to 27%. In mid 2013, it was still 27%. I am on three meds daily just for my lungs, use the oxygen at night and occasionally during the day, and anytime that I'm making the bed, sweeping, mopping, etc. I carry an emergency inhaler when I go out. I have a bottle of oxygen in the Jeep. When I go to the store, I can shop for a long time if I take it slow. If I get in a hurry, I have to use the inhaler or go to the Jeep and use the oxygen; sometimes both. It is definitely not much fun to go out anymore! I'm 71 and want to get back to detecting. I'm trying to walk a mile a day on the tread mill to help my breathing so I can get out when spring gets here. I also, think that detecting will be great exercise for my breathing (and belly); swinging the detector, kneeling, getting up, etc.
So, NO, I won't tell you to stop smoking; but as the old saying goes: 'You'll be sorry!' My wife's uncle smoked the same number of years, is 78 years old and still jogs. He's had pacemaker, knee replacement, etc.; but still does just fine. I don't what made me this way and not him. Maybe it was the drinking, womanizing, barroom fights, etc. (even a 3+ year stint in prison) that made the difference. I really don't know; but maybe I should have done the same as he did and I wouldn't be in the shape that I'm in now!!!!!!!!!!!
