Hey folks,
Normally I would say, Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition, glad you stopped by. you can also follow me on Twitter peteropntalk, or Facebook Peter Carlock, and of course you can always Email me at opntalk@gmail.com I would then talk about something in the news, and tell you what's coming right up today. Coming right up today is?More Evidence Global Warming is BS
US Has An Earth Quake Weapon
For Democrats and Republicans alike, lessons from the Massachusetts Senate election
Iran Cutting Ties, Getting Ready
COPD, Emphysema, Smoking, Me
DLA for 012410
IWA For Sunday 012410
I would then go into something else and tell you to get your morning Gogo Juice, and come back to get things started. However, I am going to do things a bit differently this week. I'm going to talk about ME.
As many of you know, I have been feeling a little ill. I've been to Doctors, Specialists, ETC. I went for a Cat Scan this past April, and they found a small, swollen lymph node. The Specialist said it was to tiny to really be concerned about and we would wait and see. My main Doctor told me that if I got a cough, for no apparent reason, to go in to see him immediately. Well, about three weeks ago I got a cough. Went in to see him.
A week ago this past Friday, I went for a follow up Cat Scan. The Good news? No Cancer yet. That little lymph node is still hanging in there. Not growing, not shrinking, not doing much of anything. I will have to get another little peek at it in about another six months.
The bad news. I have COPD, and the beginning stages of Emphysema. Basically I need to stop Smoking soon or be disabled in 5 to 10 years. If I stop smoking, I should be good for a bit longer.
The Doctor was in your face real.
"You are sick. You are not going to get better. How long you have left is up to you. Keep smoking, and you will have an oxygen tank, and not be able to walk across the floor without being out of breath. Or, you can quit smoking and maybe extend your healthy years until about 65 to 70. Then at that point, who cares."
Thanks Doc. I actually mean that. Thank you for not candy coating it. Thank you for being straight up. Thank you for being honest. The Doctor gave me three weeks to quit. then, if I do not, will offer me assistance. After that, if I keep smoking? "Good luck. There is nothing anyone can do for you."
Needless to say, it was a sobering day. All I could picture in my mind all night Thursday was my Dad. Percy Carlock died at age 63 from Emphysema and Cancer. Then all I could picture was Joshua. It is what it is. I have to deal with it head on. I'm not going out without a fight. I'm to stubborn to be laid up or disabled before I hit 60. So I know what I have to do.
I THANK YOU. A Sincere THANK YOU to all of YOU for your kind words and prayers. I do need the encouragement. I have been smoking since I was 14. Just turned Forty in August. You do the math. Other than a brief 3 year hiatus when I quit before, I'm actually been INCREASING in the amount I smoke. Now it's pretty much, all or nothing. This is one path I do not want to follow my Dad. Sitting in a chair, oxygen tube in nose, beer in one hand, cigarette in the other. I do not want to be there.
Thanks again. I'll be right back.
Peter
6 comments:
I quit last year and the difference in food taste, energy levels are amazing.
for 3 months after I quit I had broncitus 3 times and phenomonia once.
Doctor said this was normal for smoking up to 2 packs a day for 31 years.
I'm not going to lie to you it was not easy, but after about 6 months it became so.
Good luck to you.
Tim
A reader that never checks in unless it is important.
Well Pete I'm glad to hear there's no Cancer yet.
Barb and I both have COPD and it ain't no fun.
Now my advice to you is to (puff puff)stop your smoking.
I wish I'd take my own advice but it ain't likely.
As I said on the phone this old horse still hunts only not as fast now.
Bill
Sorry to hear about your health status. Do you feel we should just get rid of tobacco all together? I just can't believe any one would take one more drag after news like that. Be strong.
Hey Tim,
Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog. Glad you are out there. Thank you for your input.
I am finding it harder to do than I thought. I did quit once before, it seemed much easier than this time. But I am down to about 10 or less a day. Not bad for a two and a Half pack smoker I guess. But I will get pissed enough to quit soon. I hope anyway. I am coughing less.
Stop by often, you never know what you might see here. {Smile}
Peter
Hey Irish Godfather,
{Laughing} It WAS great talking to you. I do have to do that thing you sent me so we can talk more often.
I really am trying. I think of Josh and remember my Dad. I do not want him to watch all that.
Peter
Hey Pete,
No. I think it would just create a new Black Market, like prohibition did. People, LIKE ME, know it's bad for you, yet we do it anyway. But I am working on it.
Peter
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