Rich,

I sent an IM to Michele Saffari asking what was up with you. Within the same half hour you posted a more detailed account of what was going on and my heart sank. When things like this happen to good people, I completely lose whatever handle I have on life. I know you are a fighter and your outcome with be positive, but I hate the pain that you will have to endure to get there. I do not only mean physical, but also emotional. I can not help you with the physical but I have my arms open to you when it comes to the emotional.

This was such a smart move on your part to come here and post. I know it will be comforting to new quitters knowing the discomfort they are experiencing currently is well work the quit. I also hope that your journey posts will  be comforting to you.

Love you buddy!
Tina

Thanks Rick.  When I get more courage I'll go back and read your sisters', right now the less I know the less worry, I'm taking it one day at at time, or one step at a time, its pretty spaced out.  Yah, I believe you are right, a journal always helps yourself as much as it warns others. I've passed the link to FB so they can read my story and not all the double explaining.  Thanks again buddy, stay in touch.

Rich

Thanks Tina, its hard to tell anyone in a message I'm really close to, I tried to call Chele but she was burning candles at both ends so she egged it out of me in a text message, she was pissed!  Nikki picked it up next and then I went into facebook setting and blocked my mother and just started letting it out, I kinda felt betrayed at first cause like I said I go to the doc every 4 months for bp and he listens to my lungs, thats been since I was 38'ish.  Then I stuck my head into a newbies thread here and told her to quit while she could and Dee contacted me the next day in email.  We have a great thing going here, I'm glad T was able to find new digs and everyone pitched in to move alot of good info.  I hope this thread ends well and my goal will be to teach lung cancer to anyone on the fence about quitting.  Love you BIG sister.  I know you faced everything months before I did and had the same experience with Frank in your group that I had with Wayne and you never ever gave up on him.  That made an indelible impression on me forever.  Of course later we both held Jenns hands, so that has to be shared with the newcomers, its hard by gosh we know it too, but you have to quit or else...  Later my sister ;D

Rich

Thanks Janet I appreciate the kind words. I felt better today to rattle off some lines.  I'm surprised its gotten so long and there will alot more to come.  Stay tunes.  This came exactly after my 5th year, so its a reminder to all of us that led unhealthy lifestyles.  Please to meet you and take for the giraffe picture.  I probably have more of those than anyone on facebook, or close :D

Rich

Thaks Janet I had a bit of a setback today, I felt great yesterday and today I woke up with heartburn and I think constipation from taking Oxycontin'.  I had a stomach flu all day and I've always caught everything in a hospital when I go into one.  Last time I had a stomach flu was when I quit smoking!  DAng I was going to drive 150 miles to break this to my mother but cramps and heartburn and not keeping anything down all day.  Guess I'm lucky I felt this come on an hour after getting up and not on the trip.

If still this miserable tomorrow I'll go the ER.  It just dawned on me I may be allergic to the plastic chemo port, Yesterday I felt great and made a big roast for the family and really over ate, first time in 4 days of eating ;p

Today I've also been worrying about a dear friend of mine a few months behind me, pray for Anna B, she is having the top of her lung mass removed, I have no idea how she made it through the day ;(

Seeyou.

Rich

Hi Rich saw your post. Glad you postponed that trip. My dad became very constipated with OxyContin too and he took stool softener Senokot S and also Senokot laxative. You don't want your bowels to get plugged up it gets way too painful. Call your family doctor to get the old ok. Also my brother in law used it too and for upset stomach and sore mouth from chemo he lived on watermelon and black seedless grapes as they gave him needed calories. He said it really helped if it was chilled too. Chemo can be so rough. Your port needs to be checked so get some answers from your doc. Hope your friend is ok as surgery is no picnic. Take care dear friend. 

Rich - I am fairly new to this forum (6 weeks), but have already seen the many benefits of having a group of like-minded individuals that can lean on each other in a time of need.
I thank you for sharing your journey with all of us.  It is very courageous and much appreciated.  My thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel this road.
Carol

Quit October 3/16