Don Foreman wrote:
It is my second smoke-free anniversary. I can't take credit quite yet
because I was in medically-induced coma for five days and then had
other discomforts that distracted my attention from nicotine
withdrawal. Helluva way to quit, but it worked. I rejected the
Chantrix that was thrust upon me quite strongly in hospital, because
the potential side effects worried me even in my stressed sit. I was
surprised when my cardiologist agreed upon later in-hospital consult,
said "you don't need that" and endorsed my rejection of that
hospital-enouraged course of treatment. We got that call right. That
cardiologist read me five by nine. I kicked cold turkey, he somehow
knew I could and would do that. Right on, Dr. Bankwala!

They say the urge to smoke disappears after 12 years or so. I think
I'd enjoy a smoke right now but I can't do that anymore if I care to
live a while longer.

Most heart attack survivors proclaim resolve to do what they must to
survive longer, but surprisingly few retain that resolve for more than
a few months.

I'm still walkin' my 3 miles every day. I prefer walking outdoors
whenever possible. It was possible today, though I did get rained on
a bit. The spring rain smelled wonderful and I had me Gore-tex jacket
over tee-shirt so I was comfy with light rain, light wind, temp 59.
Being cold and wet purely beats the hell out of being dead.

Mary isn't yet up to full speed but she's getting stronger every day.
She's already out helping others. She's incorrigible.

My dad quit smoking when my mom was pregnant with my oldest sibling
(something about her quitting, then threatening violence...). He told
me when I was in high school that when someone in the room was smoking
he'd still have the urge to stand next to them and inhale their 2nd-hand
smoke -- this was after 20 years.

I smoked for just two years, and only occasionally at that, right out of
high school and in college. That was almost 30 years ago and I still
don't mind being in a room full of smokers _at all_.

So if you're still wanting to smoke in 2020, don't cave in! When you
first quit you have to constantly decide "no, I'm not going to start
back up right now". I know it took me years (and the occasional
coughing attack after taking a drag) to get past that.

Good to hear that you and yours are doing well.

--
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com