BE HEALTHY

Rozz Mitchell

Administrative Assistant

 Oak Hill Professional Development (Training)

      Rozz’s Story – Tobacco-Free       for over 11 years

"When trying to quit smoking, it is definitely mind over matter.  As a way to eliminate early morning cravings I gave up coffee for the first few months.   I had silent conversations with myself.  “Sorry, I am not giving in.  I’m stronger than you, Ms. Brain.  It’s me who has decided to smoke that disgusting thing.   Heck no!  No one will be able to say I told you so.”

Please realize that the urge to want a cigarette may never go away.  For me, it was easier to skip a cigarette after a great meal.  Of course I knew the risks associated with smoking.  But you have to be ready to quit.  For me, it took 24 years of smoking.  But I was ready to make the commitment.  I did it for myself because I am worth it. 

Some of the benefits: 

I no longer take medication for  hypertension.  I am able to walk the hills of Holcomb and Branford Streets without feeling winded.  You won’t catch me on the elevator in the main building.  And most importantly, I am able to really play with my grandchildren.  It used to be after five minutes of playing with them, I would say, “Ok, that’s enough” because I could not breathe.  Today, I breathe easier and believe that LIFE IS GOOD!

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Colleen Clifford

Workers Compensation Coordinator

(Human Resources)    

Colleen’s Story - Tobacco-Free for over 20 years

“A month after the loss of my mother, I decided to quit smoking.  I was already grieving this loss, why not grieve both.  Smoking was such a part of me, that’s how I looked at it. 

I quit cold turkey.  I’m an all or nothing person…very determined.  I set my mind to it.  I told myself I’m not going to smoke for a week.  I didn’t think I would make it a week, but after the first week, I thought…one more day.  That’s how I started, one day at a time.

In September, it was twenty years since I’ve had a cigarette.  When I see someone smoke, I remember how much I loved it.  I know if I picked up a cigarette today I would be back to smoking two packs a day again.    

In 2009, my husband, Rick had a heart attack.  He was having trouble breathing and I thought it had everything to do with his lungs and the fact that he was a smoker.  He had stopped smoking the day before his heart attack, but the damage had already been done.  He had clogged arteries which collapsed and caused the attack.  This was a result of smoking.   I always thought smoking affected your lungs, not your heart.   Rick is feeling much better and has been smoke-free for 17 months.  I’m very proud of him because I know it’s been difficult.  Every day is a struggle.  He told me if he hadn’t had a heart attack, he’d still be smoking today. 

How I started:

 When I was in 8^th grade, our third story neighbor dropped his pack of cigarettes on the ground near our garage.  My girlfriend and I picked them up and decided to try them.  After that, we continued to sneak cigarettes.  My mother was not happy with me when she found out.  She never smoked and did not want her children to smoke.  But, I continued smoking as an adult.  If I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d have a cigarette.  I was rarely without one.  One thing, I would never walk into someone’s home with a lit cigarette.  I thought it was disrespectful.  I’m happy that my daughter doesn’t remember seeing me smoke.  She was much too young.  My son was born after I quit, so he has never seen me smoke.  I’m so glad that they do not smoke.  They’ve seen firsthand the harm smoking can cause. 

Benefits:

The money I would have spent now goes toward funding my crafts and classes.  My health is good.  I do not have trouble breathing or feel a weight on my chest.  I no longer cough or have issues with my sinuses.  My clothes, home, and car smell nice and food tastes better. 

My advice:

Take it one day at a time.  The days add up.  Resist the urge.  Stash away the money you would have spent buying cigarettes.  My friend did that and was able to take her son to Disney World.  You need to make it real…tangible.  Say, ‘Now I’m going to treat myself.’”  On Colleen’s office door is a sign that reads:  "If you want to smoke…smoke salmon."

"Breathe Easy"

 "BE"

             Linda Van De Bogart              

 Oak Hill Timekeeper

Linda’s Story – Tobacco Free for 3 years and 5 months

"I quit smoking after nearly 50 years.  It took me three tries, but I did it.  I had my last cigarette in June 2007.  It wasn’t easy for me, but the turning point was my mother, Lillian Michaud.  She was diagnosed with lung cancer.  I watched her day-to-day struggles and declining health and it was just too much for me.  My mother was more than just my mom, she was my friend.  I miss her every day.  When she passed away in November, I hadn’t smoked for 5 months.  My mother got to share in my success and for that I’m very grateful.

Like many people I started smoking when I was very young, about 12.  I would sneak a cigarette from my parents.  I thought it was cute and I didn’t know the long-term effects of smoking.  As an adult, I was rarely without a cigarette and was up to three packs a day.  At about $7.50 a pack, that’s a lot of money each week.   Now, with the money I’ve saved, I can fly to visit my two brothers more often.  I’ve learned that food tastes better and my clothes, home and car smell better, too.  I have more energy.  You may notice that I always carry a pen in my hand…it helps me.  It’s a bit of a crutch, but it works.

My advice to anyone who is interested in quitting:

You need to be mentally ready and you need someone to encourage you.  It won’t be easy, but if I can do it…anyone can.” 

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Susan Oster

Staff Trainer

(Professional Development/Training)

       Sue’s Story - Tobacco-Free for 2 years

"My decision to quit smoking was one that seemed so rational and responsible 'in theory'.  The reality however was one that was far more difficult than any I had ever experienced.  I have over the years quit and failed, quit and failed MANY times.  It was not until one of my closest friends suggested I try and find something to replace my craving for a cigarette.  This took some practice."

Finally, I found making a cup of tea seemed to meet my requirement.  This was not just any cup of tea however.  It was a delicious Vanilla Chai tea, something I had never had before.  The tea took several minutes to steep and another several minutes to consume.  It was something so new and different in my routine that it felt special and rewarding.

The process turned out to take just enough time to help me get through my craving for nicotine.  I carried the tea with me everywhere.  I made it in ALL situations, which even included when I went to a restaurant bar.  It was awkward at first but in no time at all it became a habit.  I wanted to smoke less and less."

My advice to anyone wanting to quit:

"Don't beat yourself up for smoking, but instead REWARD yourself for NOT!!!!"

BE FREE OF SMOKE

Joe Traynham

Housekeeping Supervisor (Operations)

Joe’s Story - Tobacco-free for nearly 10 years

"I went for my annual physical and heard my doctor say to me, ‘You have cancer of the lung.’  It scared me.  It used to be when you heard the word cancer, it meant a death sentence.  He told me I needed surgery to remove it.  The good news:  the cancer had not started to spread.  The day of my surgery, I had two cigarettes before I went under the knife.  My doctor advised me not to smoke that day, but when nicotine calls…you answer.  My surgery was very successful and I didn’t require chemotherapy treatments.

I started smoking at age 16.  When my father found out, he took them away from me.  I took them back, one cigarette at a time.  I should have left them.  I smoked for 48 years.  I smoked one and half packs-a- day; it cost me $164.00 a week.  I was paying to kill myself.  I used think, I’ve smoked this long, why quit.  Whatever is done is done.  If I didn’t have cancer, I may still be smoking. 

To quit, you need to decide whether you want to live or die.  The strongest part of our body is our mind.  I put mind over matter and to my surprise, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be.  Smoking is a habit.  When I got the urge to smoke, I would wait two minutes and it would go away.  You have to change up your routine.  The first cigarette of the day was the most enjoyable.  I always smoked when I had a cup of coffee.  Now, I just have another cup of coffee. 

The benefits:

I have more money in my pocket.  Food tastes better – I didn’t know food tasted so good.  After I quit, I noticed that my apartment had a stale smoke smell.  I never noticed this when I smoked.  I breathe better, think better and live better now. 

Once in a while now, I dream that I’m smoking.  When I wake up, I’m mad at myself.  For a moment, I’m not sure if I’ve gone back to smoking.  Next September will be 10 years of being smoke-fee.”

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Michael Champlin

Behavior Specialist (Oak Hill School)

Mike’s Story - Tobacco-Free for 7 months

About a year ago, Mike was asked to serve on Oak Hill’s Tobacco-Free Environment Committee.  It was important to the committee to hear from people who smoke.  It helped to gain valuable insights.  A few months later, Mike quit and has been tobacco-free since April 2011.     

“I started when I was in high school, about 17 years old.  I’d ask my friends for cigarettes.  It didn’t matter the brand, it was whatever they had.  When I was older, I bought my own.  I liked Camel Lights and smoked about a pack a day for the next 15 years. I found smoking cigarettes relaxed me.  When it was a beautiful sunny day, I’d want to go outside and enjoy a cigarette.  I find stress triggers my desire to smoke.  During my breaks at work, I’d go outside to smoke. 

I was married three years ago and my wife asked me to stop smoking.  If she hadn’t asked, I’d still be smoking.  I enjoy it and always felt fine about it.  She really wanted me to quit and I wanted make her happy.  I decided to try Chantix (an oral medication) for a week.  It worked very well.  I felt good so I decided to stop taking it.  A few weeks later, I was craving a cigarette, so I had one.  One led to another and then I was back smoking again.  I decided to try the nicotine patch.  While wearing it, I still had cravings and found it uncomfortable to wear.  It was itchy so I stopped wearing it and started smoking again.  

After my two failed attempts to quit, my wife suggested I try being hypnotized.  We went to a hypnotist in Glastonbury.  My wife was hoping it would work.  I thought the idea was a ‘crock’ but didn’t want to disappoint her or waste the $160 it cost.  The hypnotist asked me to sign a contract.  He recorded our session and showed my wife and me several public service announcements about the dangers of smoking.  I thought the videos were ridiculous.  He also asked me to do breathing exercises.  I’d inhale while counting to 4; hold my breath while counting to 8, then exhale while counting to 7.  I thought the numbers were nonsense, but understood the counting was used as a distraction.  During my visit, the hypnotist would say, “Do you feel relaxed?”  I would lie and say, “Yes.”  I was playing along with him because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.  When my wife and I left his office, he sent me home with breathing instructions and a special diet.  He asked me to eat 4 oranges a day for the first week; something about the citric acid in the oranges.  It was a horrible experience.  I continued to do my breathing exercises several times a day.  I still thought about smoking, but I never did.  After 2 months, I stopped thinking about smoking each day.  I was feeling better about it. 

I slipped up twice.  Each occasion was with good friends; once at a Bachelor party, the second at a wedding.  Each time, I was back on the next day.  I quit on April 4^th (day after Easter).  It’s been 7 months and I feel great.  I’m happy I’m not smoking.  I’m saving money, too.  I used to get winded when I went upstairs to visit the group home office, not anymore.  My wife is very happy and tells me frequently.”

Mike’s advice to others:

 “Try Chantix, but stay on it for at least three weeks.  Just keep trying!” 

Mike shared this quote:  “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.”  - Mark Twain

By the way, Mike has saved an estimated $1,700 since quitting in April.