ode to my dad
June 21st, 2008 @ 12:51 pm | Comments
Filed Under: emotional, family, life
I rarely post about my parents. In fact, I can’t even remember ever posting anything specific about my dad, other than mentioning in passing that he came over to help with whatever home-improvement project I dreamed up. (He’s quite handy, my dad!) I tend to shy away from writing specifics on here about anyone other than our immediate family of three because I’m fully aware that not everyone understands this whole blogging thing and sharing intimate details of our life for The Internet to read. Dan and Maggie just have to deal with it- LUCKY THEM!- but everyone else gets a bit of a break from the fear of me blogging about them. heh.
But I’m making an exception and blogging about my dad. My dad is awesome. He’s funny and goofy and stubborn and sometimes drives us crazy and we love him. He’s also been a nearly-2-pack-a-day smoker since he was 15. That’s almost 37 years- he’ll be 52 this September.
He has tried quitting a few times that I can remember. Once was after my Pap Pap (his dad) died from emphysema when I was 11. After watching what his dad went through, I’m sure it scared him, and he tried doing it cold-turkey. But it just didn’t stick. Then 2 years ago on his 50th birthday, we all went together and got him the chewing gum that’s supposed to help you stop smoking. (I realize that’s an odd birthday gift, but it’s what he asked for!) He tried it for a week or so, but that didn’t work either.
In the last year or so, his health hasn’t been the greatest. He has trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing, etc. It’s been very hard to watch, because he’s only in his early 50s and he could have 30+ more good years with us! But if he continues with the smoking, there’s a good chance it won’t happen, and that is obviously just incredibly sad to think about.
I’ve never smoked, so I can only imagine the difficulty involved in trying to quit. I remember trying several times to try to stop biting my nails, and that seemed impossible, and there weren’t even any addictive substances involved. Just my stupid annoying habit (I finally DID stop when I was about 22. Go me!) I know that nail-biting and smoking aren’t even on the same level as far as habits go- smoking is obviously way more hazardous and addicting than chewing fingernails (though, admittedly, both are pretty gross.) So I give major credit to my dad for attempting to quit several times, even though it didn’t work out for him.
Last month he announced to my mom that he was saving some extra cash from his paychecks to buy Chantix. He had heard some amazing ‘I QUIT!’ stories from people at work and also some extended family members, who, well… let me just say that I was SHOCKED when I heard they had quit smoking! Apparently it works wonders for a lot of people, however it does have some CRAZY side effects. Insurance does not cover the drug, and it’s fairly expensive, though not nearly as much as buying cigarettes, but you know, whatever. So this was a big deal. He went to the doctor and got a prescription for it and started taking it a few weeks ago.
I didn’t realize he was doing this until last Sunday- Father’s Day- when we went over to see them after getting home from vacation. He told us that for the last week or so, he’d only been smoking about 8 cigarettes a day, which is less than 1/4 of what he usually smokes in a day. Then last Saturday night, he had his last one- and couldn’t even finish it. We sat there with him all afternoon and not once did he even look like he was wishing he had a cigarette. Usually he would have been chain-smoking the whole time. It was crazy and weird and very very good.
I don’t know all the specifics about how it works (receptors blocked in the brain, blahblahblah College Biology 101 blahblahblah) I think my dad explained it best when he said that when he smokes it “tastes like you went out and ate dog sh*t from the yard”. heh. Talk about aversion therapy! It also must just completely remove the urge, because he said he doesn’t even feel the need to physically hold something in his hands (which is a common complaint among smokers trying to quit) And thankfully (as of Thursday when I talked to my mom) he hasn’t had any issues with nasty side effects that a lot of other people that he knows have complained about.
He still has 8 or more weeks to go before he’s done with the full regiment of pills. And there’s always a chance that he could give up and have a cigarette. And while we would be incredibly disappointed if that happened, it would be okay. But it would be so awesome if he could do this. I’m so proud of him for even trying.
Rock on, Dad.
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June 21st, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Wow, that is AWESOME!!! :) Hopefully this will “stick” and he’ll have many, many more years with you guys and Maggie (and other future grandkids) too!
I’m still trying to get one of my sisters to quit smoking. I wonder if she’s tried this med… maybe I’ll ask. Can’t hurt, right?
June 21st, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
That’s so awesome! I can only imagine how hard it is to quit. The hardest thing I’ve ever tried to give up was caffeine, and that only lasted about a week. Good luck Dad!
angelas last blog post..Vegas or bust
June 21st, 2008 @ 7:14 pm
WOW! GO, Jen’s Dad! I am in my twenties and have been a 20-a day smoker since I was 18! Cold turkey is the hardest thing! Plus, that gum crap is just HIDEOUS! Seriously, I could write an essay about that stuff - how it is probably a good idea, but how it just FAILS miserably!
I guess the thing with smoking is, as most smokers I know say, we enjoy it. Otherwise, why would we do it? However, there is a point where it transcends enjoyment and necessity and becomes nothing more than habit. Personally, I think that when you are a heavy smoker, it is difficult to just quit - you have to figure out how much you really need first THEN figure out the habit part and QUIT the habit before you can STOP altogether! BUT, as with any habit, you have to WANT to quit, otherwise, you just aren’t going to do it!
I am stil young, and even though my father in law is on a nebuliser 20 hours day because of his former 60 a day - 3 pack habit and a lifetime working with asbestos and lead paints (which is some scary shizzle to see) his wife is still there, while he is on the machine, smoking two packs a day is fairly fine health! I am still like, well, I am OK now, I will always be OK. I know this isn’t true - but, I think it is all about the wake up call, the evidence from other people and the desire and feeling that you need to quit.
I will stop now. Basically, smoking is a very bad, bad habit. It is VERY hard to quit… and I am really keeping my fingers crossed for your Dad, because, you know, IMHO, if he does absolutely quit or even cut down A LOT - that is awesome! I can only wish that I will able to do that! (I am going to the “Stop Smoking Clinic” in three weeks for help)
As a hardcore smoker, I would say, Jen’s Dad ROCKS!!!! xxxxxx
June 21st, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
Good luck to him! It’s definitely a tough thing, especially when it’s been a habit for so long. Hopefully he can do this and improve his life so that he can be a part of your life for many more years!
Nicoles last blog post..A Weekend Alone
June 22nd, 2008 @ 9:25 am
I have had quite a few males come in with Chantix scripts, they really praise it! They also seem quite happy to pay cash for the medicine if it helps! Go Jen’s Dad!
June 22nd, 2008 @ 9:27 am
My dad was a 2 pack a day smoker for most of his life.. and tried to quit many times, unsuccessfully. He even quit for 2 years once and went back… Now in his 50s he has quit again and has been doing great this time. You’re right to be proud of your Dad for trying as hard as he is. I hope he can quit for good this time!! And my dad too :)
June 22nd, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
Go Jen’s Dad!!
Seriously though, my FIL quit smoking one year ago after a lifetime of heavy smoking. I’m not sure how he did it, but I am still amazed to this day. Happy amazed, but I had seen him try many times before. It’s so powerful. Anyway, I wish your dad lots of success!
June 22nd, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Yay!! I know of several people that are on Chantix and it has worked for them. My neighbor smoked two packs a day and she said it worked instantly for her.
She was amazed at how much more she could taste foods and smell different things! Your dad might enjoy your mom’s cooking even more now that he can fully taste it!!
I wish him the best of luck….it’s hard to see when our parents are getting a little older and having some health problems.
June 23rd, 2008 @ 7:32 am
Good stuff that Chantix. I know a few people that have quit with. Pretty amazing.
Steves last blog post..Eating local
June 23rd, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Go Mr K!
Jen, you’d better let your dad know about this post, and how many people are now rooting for him!!! :)
June 23rd, 2008 @ 9:43 am
@Andrea: He saw it :) We were over there yesterday and I asked him how it was going (DAY 8!!!) and he said ‘I liked your blog, at least somebody cares!’ I said of course we do, we just don’t want to bug you all the time about it and annoy you back into smoking. He knows we’re all rooting for him!
June 23rd, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
Good luck to your dad! Chantix has worked wonders for the three people I know who have used it. One was a 2-3 pack a day smoker, and the other two were light smokers. But all three quit and have no serious cravings anymore!
I hope when he quits he feels much better, health-wise! Again, good luck to him!
Allisons last blog post..Vacation By The Numbers and Pictures
June 26th, 2008 @ 12:27 am
Good job! I’m sure it’s tough, but it’s a great thing that he’s ready!!
The internet is pulling for you, Jennifer’s Dad!!
Danielles last blog post..Peace