Hi, my name is Linda, and I would like to share my journey of how I managed to quit smoking with the support of the stop smoking service. When I first attended the session, I was suffering from severe COPD, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for me to breathe. In fact, I could barely walk due to the lack of breath.
During my first appointment with Farai I was issued patches and inhalators, but I still struggled to quit, and I experienced a major setback and ended up in the hospital, struggling to breathe. It was a scary moment, and I genuinely thought that I might not make it. However, it was during this time that I made a firm decision to quit smoking once and for all.
I immediately asked my husband to throw away all my cigarettes and clear out any lighters and ashtrays from our home. This was an important step towards my journey to quit smoking. Since leaving the hospital, I haven't smoked a single cigarette, and it has been five weeks now.
One of the small but meaningful changes I noticed was that I no longer needed to paint my nails black to hide the nicotine stains on my fingers and nails. For the first time in years, I treated myself to a lighter colour on my nails, and it felt liberating.
People around me have also noticed positive changes. Many have complimented me on how my voice no longer sounds croaky, and they can hear the difference in my breathing. I have even been able to walk more without feeling short of breath, and I have not needed to rely on my wheelchair as much.
The readings on the carbon monoxide machine have been a clear sign of my progress. Within just three weeks of quitting, my reading went from 24 to 2. And by the fourth week, it was down to 1. I was concerned about my reading after attending a friend's birthday party where people were smoking, but I managed to resist the temptation and didn't smoke at all. The highlight of the day is when I got up to dance for the first time in a long time, it was a moment of pure joy, and my husband couldn't have been prouder of me.
I must mention that the support I received from Farai, my stop smoking advisor, has been invaluable. He has shown immense patience, understanding, and support throughout the most challenging times. His guidance has made a significant difference in my journey to quit smoking.
I hope my story inspires others who are in a similar situation to realise that it's never too late to quit, and with the right support. If I can do it, so can you!
