I added the pictures Rich insisted I take. They are on the bottom of the first page. They are gross, and I thought about not posting them but he wanted them seen.

Please read Richs plea and DFS. It could happen to you or someone you love! http://richsplea.synthasite.com/

Julie:

I have read Rich's plea. It made me very sad for what you both went thru. It also showed me how courageous someone can be. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

I know this sounds a bit nuts but I think I'm entitled to be a bit nuts, when I started this site I told myself if I could get 1000 people to read it then I have done my job and I can concentrate on the happy memories, I don't have that far to go Please read it and share it.
I wonder if 1000 people read it how many will actually listen? maybe 1/10? that would be 100 people, that would be amazing!

Julie,
I printed the message from Rich's site for a young woman in a class I was taking. I was not sure how she would take it as I only know her casually. She read it before the class started and on a break gave me a hug and thanks and told me she really wants to stop smoking and is going to do something about it. This was before you posted the pictures.
I am going to print it out for my son who has been smoking for 20 years since he was a teenager. He is a real chicken about any kind of health issue. Those photos should be the answer to getting him to stop.

Thanks so much for telling me that, Thats what make it worthwhile More than 1000 people have read Richs web site, plus the hundreds that read my profile and my journal on quitnet. The way I figure it it had to sink in to at less one out of 10. That is amazing! Rich would love it:) I'm going to take a break from it for awhile though. Right now it seems like the good memories are getting overshadowed. It means a lot that people are being helped but I gotta think of me too. Please continue to share it with whomever will read it but I promised myself a least a months break once it reached 1000

I have been quit for 1 Year, 1 Month, 2 Weeks, 5 Days, 20 hours, 47 minutes and 10 seconds (416 days). I have saved $3,751.78 by not smoking 16,674 cigarettes. I have saved 4 Months, 5 Days, 8 hours and 54 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 6/15/2007 11:00 PM
Please read Richs plea and DFS. It could happen to you or someone you love! http://richsplea.synthasite.com/

I just came from Rich's plea aite. That man sure went thru hell and back before he passed. He sure had a great care giver and I wish you the best JulieKay. What an ordeal. Thanks for posting, pics and all.

Having been by the side of the "last bed" on three occasions...with one Grandfather dying in my arms...I know exactly what you went through...it's terrible...I'm sooo sorry for your loss. I wish there were no diseases and such...just peaceful passings of old age...My heart feels your pain...God Bless you....