The Other Hand

So yesterday I cracked. I was walking to class and all across campus there were people everywhere with cigarettes. I was surrounded, swamped. When I got to my building, there were people everywhere, the scent of tobacco drifting on the breeze. I sat down out front of the class and battled with myself - should I try to bum one?

When finally I had lost the battle with the nicotine monster, I looked around, trying to find someone who wasn't smoking a menthol. But as I scanned the crowd of students enjoying the sun, I couldn't spot a single cigarette. By the time I had surrendered to the monster on my back, all of the smokers had finished and dispersed.

Feeling simultaneously cheated and saved, I went around to the back of the building where my class was held. Sitting out back in the sun was this guy in my class. I never knew his name, but we talked from time to time in between class. I sat down next to him and he held out a cigarette. "Want one?"

I shook my head but reached for it anyway. He lit it. HEAVEN.

The wonderful rush filled me, and as I felt it, I realized I didn't want it or need it.

When I woke up this morning everything went my way. The sun is shining and there's a slight breeze. I feel like I can smell the spring. What's more is I haven't had a single craving yet. I think, despite my slip up yesterday, that I've actually kicked the damn thing.

Here's hoping!
Day 4: cigarettes 0

Smoking Cessation Timeline

Two hours after The Decision and I've already experienced several cravings. I know that I just have to man up and deal with them, sit through them, and not smoke, but I can't think how this is going to end well. I called a friend who lives on the other coast and she said I should look up the Smoking Cessation Timeline. It made me feel way better. It gives you a rundown of what happens after you quit. For example:

20min: blood pressure and pulse rate decrease; temperature of hands and feet rise

8hr: carbon monoxide levels in your blood decrease to normal, allowing your blood oxygen level to increase to normal

24hr: risk of heart attack decreases

48hr: nerve endings start to regrow and your ability to taste and smell is enhanced

etc. etc.

In addition, it gives interesting facts about nicotine, how it works, and how withdrawal symptoms are a direct derivative of the lack thereof. For instance, I always knew that people who quit smoking tend to gain weight. I've heard it attributed to "oral fixation." The real reason? The use of nicotine increases blood glucose(sugar) levels, and when you no longer use it, your body thinks it's still supposed to have that much sugar, and makes you think you're hungry. Cool, right? Well, maybe not.

But whether or not it's cool, this timeline has made me feel a lot better about my progress, knowing that I have these positive things to look forward to, and not just days of cravings, coughing, hunger, and bitchiness.

And hey, I'm already past the first benchmark! Circulation in my hands and feet is already back to normal, and in another six hours I'll have normal O2 levels!