Dianne:

I think years ago I had read some info that after no smoking for 72 hours then its all in your head. The nicotine is out of your system. Im not sure if that really is correct but it did help me to quit. After 3 days I kept tellingmyself it was all in my head I wanted to smoke. Hope that helps alittle. I know its not easy but you can do it.

Thank you I am truly inspired by all the people who are encouraging me. This is really helpful as I am having quite the battle. Nite time and weekends are the worst and the fear of gaining weight. I at one time was up over 400 lbs and had a gastric bypass I am not necessarily thin but am half the size and that was one of the reasons I had refused to quit in the past now the war is on on so many levels.

Thanks again

Dianne

I stoped smoking 32 years ago, It was not easy, I had to stay away from anyone who smoked. when I wanted to smoke I had to get up and do something, anything to get my mind on something else. the 1st. two week where the hardest, But you can do it, If I can anyone can. I could smell better, food tasted better and I felt better, It was the best thing I ever did for myself. Get rid of all ash trays and smokes out of your home, so you have time to think about it on the way to the store. each day will get easier, but the want stays with you for a long time. Hope this is of some help to you. Good luck with it.

Dianne:

Dont worry about your weight. Thats one issue you can forget about for a while. Eat all your favorite foods now! It could be a while before you are able to eat normally again. Things might not taste like they should. Nutrition is a big factor in your healing from cancer. My nutritionist recommended I get 3000 calories per day while recovering from treatments.

Its been one year since I first started treatment and Im still down 65 pounds. I have about 2500-3000 calories per day and still dont gain weight. Everybody reacts differently to their treatments, but this is one thing most have in common, losing weight.

Hi Dianne,
Maybe I have missed something but looking through your post�s it looks like only surgery has been mentioned at this stage?
Just a little about my experience which seems similar to the one of August (Colleen) and maybe what you are looking at.
I did not understand what some of the terms were until around 1 year after my surgery when I discovered this site. Even now I am not 100% sure if what I write is correct as it is from what I remember experiencing and being told or have since learnt.
Not long ago I did get a copy of my pathology reports and brief notes that were written during my operation and that is a whole new language of its own
After a long operation I was in intensive care for 1 week and then another week on the ward. During the operation nodes were sent to pathology and tested and the results given to the surgeons during the operation. A little jaw bone was removed and the pathology on this took around 10 days to come back.
I was fed liquid and liquid food through a tube inserted in my nose down to my stomach. Maybe that is what they are referring to if it is surgery only at this stage.
Also had a tracheotomy (scar now easily hidden if I choose) and both tubes were removed at about the 1 week mark. I was also connected to other tubes as well including ones for body functions, pain medication and monitoring.
I also had the free flap as you can see from my signature.
BTW I only had around 3 weeks from diagnosis by biopsy to surgery. No other test�s were done as I went along with the urgency implied!!!
The time went quickly as I kept working and had the usual blood, X-Rays, ECG, urine tests plus organising finances and after hospital options.
Hope some of this helps and if you have any further questions please feel free to ask.
Wrote this a few hours ago but had it saved before my line dropped out. See there have been a few replies and as you can see am an X-Smoker who had smoked as long as you but not quite as long as Jim
Stopped a couple of days before op. and no way I could smoke for the 2 weeks in hospital. After that I as well and truly over it but like most addicts will not even try 1 as I have a feeling I know where that could lead. Coming up for 2 years now.
Cheers
Gabriele

thanks Wilma and Christine...anything does help!!!! as far as tasting food better from the biopsy I don't have much feeling or taste I am not sure what the oral surgeon actually removed on my tongue. But my sense of smell is really improving. It is kinda funny though people are so used to walking in the appartment with a lit smoke and then run to put it out. but they do still smell sweet. I can't wait till they smell disgusting...I cannot eat everything I would like at this point as I cannot wear my lower dentures and my mouth is still sensitive from the biopsy that was done by my oral surgeon. Still fairly soft foods or foods that melt in my mouth. I am awaiting the day I can eat a ceasar salad again with croutons and bacon bits or nuts walnuts or cashews and one of my weaknesses went to the movies the other week and could not have pop corn or didn't even try cause of the kernels. Anyway I still am enjoying a few sinful foods for a little bit yet chocolate cake cheese cake mmmmmmmm. I have been told to stay away from red meats is that a myth cause I am craving a hamburger? or Would it hurt to have a drink? at this point anyway? I don't need one but you never know right?!

Dianne,

You already show the courage and wisdom to defeat this cancer so don't let anyone stand in your way. Sure it's normal to say "why me" and "I don't want to be sick" and "I don't want to go thru this". We all did that and time will help getting over those feelings.

There are some Canadians that post on this site and hopefully they will reassure you that you will be treated professionally in Canada. We will be with you every step of the way and believe me having this site in your corner is priceless. Remember your doctors have the power to cure your cancer but you can go a long way in treating the mental aspects by yourself. Just don't let this cancer get the best of you mentally. I know you can do that.

Hi I was wondering what happened that you had to have so many surgeries concerning your free flap and is it normal to have to have so many surgeries. I am very concerned about all of it and of course the recoup stage. As yet they are pretty certain I will not need radiation but things can change I am finding with a drop of the hat....will continue later huge storm and gotta to get off pc....

I quit cold turkey for this OC and like Chritine, once in awhile I think about a cigarette but I wouldn't touch one if it cured this OC LOL. I feel better, smell better, my car feels much better, and my house agrees with the car. LOL You will beat this OC aand the nicotine habit.

[quote=darkeyedlady0] Hi I was wondering what happened that you had to have so many surgeries concerning your free flap and is it normal to have to have so many surgeries. I am very concerned about all of it and of course the recoup stage. As yet they are pretty certain I will not need radiation ......[/quote]
Dianne do not worry too much about that comment in my signature After all the reading I have done here I have not seen this before.
Basically the flap may have been a little too large and the first op. was debulking. The rest were a little more of the same and to fixed ragged edges between where the flap and tongue were joined. Some of this could have been caused by chewing (as I was told by the surgeon�s). Not convinced but never mind and as I said have not seen this elsewhere here..so maybe I am unique
Also each operation was day surgery and took around 1 hour or less but under a general nevertheless.
Hope this explains it and hope my signature and post have not caused more concern.
Again please feel free if you would like to know more.