Smoke free!

Fish Joke:   While sports fishing off the Florida coast, a tourist capsized his boat. He could swim, but his fear of alligators kept him clinging to the overturned craft. Spotting and old beachcomber standing on the shore, the tourist shouted,"Are there any gators around here?!" 

"Naw," the man hollered back, "they ain't been around for years!"
Feeling safe, the tourist started swimming leisurely toward the shore.

About halfway there he asked the guy, "How'd you get rid of the gators?"
"We didn't do nothin'," the beachcomber said.   -   "The sharks got 'em." 
 __________


While talking about all the things that have happened over the past year I seemed to have missed 1 area of interest.  I have also been smoke free as well. I quit the day I was diagnosed.  Cold turkey as they say - though there was a big motivating factor hanging overhead.   Teresa has been making great progress in cutting back while on the road to becoming smoke free as well.  Cutting her smoking in half over the past  few months.   Taking all variables into consideration that is a great accomplishment as she works towards her goal and I am very proud of the progress and determination she has.    

I know there are a number of other family and friends who have cut down, reduced and a couple who have also quit during the past year.  Anyone sitting on the fence - do it for yourself - do it because you want to - do it to help others.  Dont do it because of me or my situation.  There are greater motivating factors to consider.    As we all know there is very little we can do to be at no risk for this disease.  Every other day there is new reports about such and such increases your risk of Cancer by X.   If you listened to everything that was published you would not eat and live in a bubble. So that is not going to happen.   In most literature I have been reading - sticking to the balanced diet, exercise, stress release activities and reducing the risk where possible is the best line of defense you can have.  (and then following a screening process)

If you do smoke - do what you can to help reduce your risk. In the end - it is all a matter of choice.  Choose to quit and work with the resources you available to you and you can do it.  Most people I connect with who have quit,  in the end it was a matter of choice - they made the decision and stuck to it.   I do encourage you to make the decision to be smoke free and reduce your risk.  
Some resources available out there to help. 



Thank you for taking the time review my rant.  Not that I am an expert or anything though I am around to listen and give my opinion to anyone looking or help in this area.    


In the mean time:


Everyone keep smiling and making someones day.   Butting out may do even more.


Jtee