“I started smoking when I was 10 years old, and throughout my life, for the past 20 years, I was smoking 20 cigarettes a day.
I had some health screenings in the summer, and I was told that I had a small nodule, but the doctors weren't concerned about it initially. I continued to have check-ups to monitor it, and then recently I had the nodule removed. It was lucky that they did, as it was 10cm instead of the 4cm that they thought it was, and it was cancerous too, so I had half my lung removed.
I knew I had to do something about my health, and my children and grandbairns all wanted me to stop smoking when we found out the news, and I thought, yes, I have people to live for.
I tried quitting initially when my mam died of cancer, but I only lasted 2 weeks with the stress of dealing with her death, it just wasn’t the right time.
I was referred by the RVI lung cancer specialist nurse to the Newcastle stop smoking+ service, and my stop smoking advisor Phoebe, gave me patches to help with my cravings. I started on the strongest dosage, and then reduced throughout. I even have 4 left over, as I didn’t feel I needed them towards the end as well.
I’ve definitely noticed the benefits since stopping smoking, and although I had half my lung removed due to the cancer, and I’m still breathless, I just can't imagine how much worse I would be if I had continued to smoke. I do feel I have more energy now than I used to as well.
I have saved money too, and now when I take my grandbairns to the shop, they can pick anything they want, as I can treat them now.
I have found it beneficial having the regular check-ins and support from the Newcastle stop smoking+ service. I couldn't have done it without the support and advice from Phoebe, and the stop smoking products.
It's never too late to quit. I'm grateful I was able to have the tests done, and find out about the nodule, otherwise if I had left it a few years, I may not be here.
I'm lucky I had access to this, otherwise I could have been in the same position as my mum, but instead I am happy to say that I have been smokefree for nearly 5 months now.”