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Share your quitting journey

Better day after a better night

elvan
Member
3 16 55

Went to bed last night with ice packs on my shoulder and arm and my lower back.  One cat was sleeping on my head, not her usual spot but it was comforting.  I fell asleep after 1:30 and woke up at 4:30 because of pain and a full bladder.  Got up and used the bathroom and realized how incredibly cold I was and how severe the pain was.  I felt like I needed to compress my HANDS to slow the pain going up and down and I decided to switch from ice to heat.  Of course, my activity woke the cats and the noise that ensued from the other room was somewhat terrifying.  One of them knocked his favorite toy into the recycling bin and he was bound and determined that he was going to get it out no matter what.  Of course, I did not know that until this morning because I refused to get back up.  I had my heating pad on my shoulder and I was wearing elbow length tight leather gloves, for the first time in I don’t know how long, I did not want to move at all because the pain was actually under control.  I watched about half an hour of TV and fell asleep on my back.  I woke up because I was incredibly hot and BOTH cats had made themselves beds on my legs.  I did not have the heart to move and disturb them so I pulled a fan up close to me and turned it on so that it was blowing only on my upper body and would not disturb the cats.  I realized that if anyone saw me, it would be quite the crazy picture, me laying on my back with the two cats on me and my arms on top of the covers with the long black gloves.  It was delightful for at least a couple of hours.  I feel better today, I am taking it easy, decided to try to get one room cleaned up at a time.  No crazy lifting or mopping…I am going to be really careful.  Thanks for sticking by me…hope you can visualize the image of my restful time.  Never, ever did smoking occur to me.  I know better

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About the Author
Retired RN, worked ICU/ER developed RA in early 90's, unable to work because of brittle bones from high dose steroids. Diagnosed with COPD 5 yrs ago but sure it was there and progressing long before. Live with severe chronic pain, degenerative disc disease, had both upper lobes of my lungs removed in 2015. Struggle with shortness of breath. Work in son's cafe as a cashier 2 days a week to be around people. I am a people/animal person. Lost my home and three cats in a fire on my ten month anniversary of quitting smoking. Never thought of smoking, knew it wouldn't help anything.