Both of my grandparents quit smoking when I was young. My grandfather had smoked since he was a kid, and he quit when he was about 50. He just one day told us he was quitting, and he never touched another one. But he always kept one tucked behind his ear, like we will do with a pencil. My grandmother said he carried this habit for a long time, of keeping one behind his ear, he would put it there in the morning. He said it let him know he COULD smoke if he wanted to, the choice was his and nothing was being taken away from him. My grandmother quit about 5 years later, when my aunt got married. It's all she wanted for a wedding present, so how could my grandmother say no? She was a very heavy smoker, we all doubted she could do it. She did, with the help of tootsie pops. She said as long as she kept her hands busy, she could get through the craving. They are both in their 80's now!


SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.