Not long for this world

[Pigpen]

Pigpen, I am so sorry to read your story, and like others have written, I commend you for thinking of others you may be able to help and influence. I'm so glad I never started smoking, because I honestly don't think I have the guts to quit. Please know that I'll be lifting you up in prayer. I know firsthand that prayers are powerful, and they work. May God be at your side as you walk this path.

Thank you for the prayers. I was raised religious, but it was always in the background of my adult life. Not now, needless to say. It may be hypocritical, but now, in my time of need and despair, I’ve turned back to prayer. I’m going to call the church down the road from me, and see if they can give me communion in my home. It’s been decades since the last time.

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[PaulOinMA]

I am a returning Catholic after decades.

 

[Pigpen]

I am a returning Catholic after decades.

Even though I haven’t attended church much as an adult, I paradoxically have studied almost all religions since I was in my early twenties. . I took RCIA classes from a retired Monsignor about 20 years ago. The Catholic Church building is the only church building that I ever felt a great peace and calm in just by entering. I was raised church of Christ. Someone once said that all paths lead to G-d. Peace be with you. Any prayers appreciated.

 

[MJE]

It may be hypocritical, but now, in my time of need and despair, I’ve turned back to prayer.

Can I say this is in no way hypocritical. Many folks find God in many different ways through our toughest times & trials. It’s never too late.

 

[Kraken1]

I ordered my outer banks in February 22. I received it in August of the same year. Shortly after, I developed severe back pain due to old injuries (cracked vertebrae ) spinal stenosis, and arthritis. (I’m 67 y.o.) So I got out of the house less and less, eventually becoming homebound and having to sleep in a recliner. I was and am taking 140 10 mg. Oxycodone a month, and can still only walk about twenty feet before I have to sit. Due to the drug use, I couldn’t drive my new Bronco Sport. So now, almost a year later, it has less than a thousand miles.

In late June, after a severe bout of coughing, I began to cough up blood. Took an ambulance to the E.R. The diagnosis was pneumonia, and after a round of antibiotics and a couple of cat scans and x-rays, I was discharged. A few days later, I was informed that there was something going on in my right lung. A biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma, Cancer. It was also in my lymph nodes. Inoperable. I haven’t seen an oncologist yet, so I don’t yet know how long I have. Chemo and or radiation will probably be suggested. But I’ve heard the horror stories about people that go through these procedures. My girlfriend’s father took the treatments, and after a couple of years of misery, died anyway. My brother in law’s sister had the same miserable experience.

So I think I’ll just forego any treatment, and when it gets bad, either go into hospice or check myself out. So my Bronco Sport is the last car I’ll ever own. I regret that I never got to drive it more and appreciate it for the fine vehicle it is. I smoked 1-2 packs a day from the age of sixteen until about four years ago. I quit by using Chantix. I was a hard core smoker. If I quit, anyone can. So this message is a warning, and an encouragement to all of my fellow Bronco Sport owners to quit. If you haven’t started, don’t. Encourage your friends and loved ones to quit. I thought I was invulnerable and would live to be an old man, like my recently deceased father. I was wrong.

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I am 74 and have never been a smoker but that didn't stop me from cracking a vertebrae and breaking my tailbone 3 different times during my misspent youth and now I am paying for that. I now have RA and severe back pain. My medicine cabinet looks like I could open up my own drugstore.
My wife of 44 years ordered herself a 2021 Bronco Big Bend but because of her smoking habit (I tried and tried to get her to quit but to no avail) she never got a chance to drive it. By the time the Bronco was delivered, she was complaining about pain in her leg. It was now stage 4 cancer that had spread from her lung. If she had pain in her lung she did not tell me about it and then it was too late. She never got a chance to drive her Bronco but she was a passenger numerous times going to Ottawa to see the cancer specialists. The Doctors told her they could give her another 6 months of miserable pain-filled life with treatment and she declined that. She didn't want to go to Hospice so she died in our bed in the house she loved so much on December 29/2021 at the young age of 71 with the help of MAID. I miss her so much. I am always trying to get relatives and friends and even strangers to quit smoking. God bless you.

 

[Pigpen]

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I am 74 and have never been a smoker but that didn't stop me from cracking a vertebrae and breaking my tailbone 3 different times during my misspent youth and now I am paying for that. I now have RA and severe back pain. My medicine cabinet looks like I could open up my own drugstore.
My wife of 44 years ordered herself a 2021 Bronco Big Bend but because of her smoking habit (I tried and tried to get her to quit but to no avail) she never got a chance to drive it. By the time the Bronco was delivered, she was complaining about pain in her leg. It was now stage 4 cancer that had spread from her lung. If she had pain in her lung she did not tell me about it and then it was too late. She never got a chance to drive her Bronco but she was a passenger numerous times going to Ottawa to see the cancer specialists. The Doctors told her they could give her another 6 months of miserable pain-filled life with treatment and she declined that. She didn't want to go to Hospice so she died in our bed in the house she loved so much on December 29/2021 at the young age of 71 with the help of MAID. I miss her so much. I am always trying to get relatives and friends and even strangers to quit smoking. God bless you.

God bless you too, my friend. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[PugDad]

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I am 74 and have never been a smoker but that didn't stop me from cracking a vertebrae and breaking my tailbone 3 different times during my misspent youth and now I am paying for that. I now have RA and severe back pain. My medicine cabinet looks like I could open up my own drugstore.
My wife of 44 years ordered herself a 2021 Bronco Big Bend but because of her smoking habit (I tried and tried to get her to quit but to no avail) she never got a chance to drive it. By the time the Bronco was delivered, she was complaining about pain in her leg. It was now stage 4 cancer that had spread from her lung. If she had pain in her lung she did not tell me about it and then it was too late. She never got a chance to drive her Bronco but she was a passenger numerous times going to Ottawa to see the cancer specialists. The Doctors told her they could give her another 6 months of miserable pain-filled life with treatment and she declined that. She didn't want to go to Hospice so she died in our bed in the house she loved so much on December 29/2021 at the young age of 71 with the help of MAID. I miss her so much. I am always trying to get relatives and friends and even strangers to quit smoking. God bless you.

Sorry about your loss. Take care and you always have your memories of those 44 years.

 

[Randarmax]

Jon,
Thank you for your post. Sharing your experience to serve as advice to others is one of the most noble acts one can do in this life. My hope is that you are able to be surrounded by family, friends and various angels who may visit with you during this time. Don't be shy about reaching out to those around you. Maybe there's still an opportunity to put your toes in the sand at an ocean beach, or maybe just kick back at a hole in the wall music venue in Nashville and hear some good tunes. Whatever feels good for your mind and soul, I wish that for you sir. I believe our soul extends beyond the physical life we have here, and that our spirit remains with the ones we love. There is no reason to feel hypocritical about turning to prayer. I commend you for doing so because I know it's never too late to talk to God. Completely opening up in prayer allows me to let go of any anxiety, worry or fear in the present. I am assured of God's promise, and I hope you are as well. Cherish each day. - Randall

 

[Kraken1]

I didn't mean to hijack Pig Pens' post but I just wanted him to know that he is not alone and knows what he is going through. I thank all of you for your kind comments. I know she is watching over me and I will see her again, God willing.

 

[Pigpen]

Jon,
Thank you for your post. Sharing your experience to serve as advice to others is one of the most noble acts one can do in this life. My hope is that you are able to be surrounded by family, friends and various angels who may visit with you during this time. Don't be shy about reaching out to those around you. Maybe there's still an opportunity to put your toes in the sand at an ocean beach, or maybe just kick back at a hole in the wall music venue in Nashville and hear some good tunes. Whatever feels good for your mind and soul, I wish that for you sir. I believe our soul extends beyond the physical life we have here, and that our spirit remains with the ones we love. There is no reason to feel hypocritical about turning to prayer. I commend you for doing so because I know it's never too late to talk to God. Completely opening up in prayer allows me to let go of any anxiety, worry or fear in the present. I am assured of God's promise, and I hope you are as well. Cherish each day. - Randall

Thank you Randall. People’s testimony about their faith is very uplifting and both inspires me and gives me hope. I’m being re-baptized soon. I was baptized at a very young age, due to pressure. This time is by choice. Pray for me if you will.

 

[Fordguyyt]

I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I will say a prayer for you as well. Not completely related, but to try to give some hope, my wife’s grandfather survived stage 4 throat cancer and my grandfather survived leukemia. God Bless.

 

[Caliope]

I know that everyone's cancer is different and that what worked for one may not work for another. I just wanted to share that it is not all doom and gloom with lung cancer. My dad was diagnosed at 79 on March 13, 2020 with stage 4 lung cancer. This was literally at the beginning of Covid. The doctors originally talked of holding off starting his treatment until Covid passed. Fortunately, they did not. He under went 7 rounds of chemo and then 35 infusions of Keytruda (immuno therapy). He is currently in remission. He recently had to go on oxygen for when he exerts himself because his COPD has worsened. But he has maintained a great attitude through it all. When one of his infusion nurses commented on his positive attitude during his treatment, he stated that he did this to himself by smoking so what good would it do to feel sorry for himself.

At least give treatment a try. I understand that there comes a point for some patients where the choice has to be made between quantity and quality of life. I wish you the best.

 

[RM951]

As a retired paramedic I can't tell you how many people I've escorted to the celestial transfer. The one I can tell you is that no one has ever not regretted the things they didn't do. I've never heard anyone express the desire to have had watched more TV or stay inside the house more. Even if you aren't driving make that one trip. Go off-road. Make it a seminal journey. If you can't drive have someone drive for you and if you have to go out, go out with a smile on your face not sitting in a chair waiting. In the end we all wish for fair winds and following seas, and that I wish unto you. Dios te bendiga

 

[Bucko]

I thought about this thread more on my drive home yesterday.

I hope all the stories here make at least one person reading through this thread who smoke, decide its time to quit. That could bring a positive to all the sad ending stories told here.

 

[Pigpen]

I thought about this thread more on my drive home yesterday.

I hope all the stories here make at least one person reading through this thread who smoke, decide its time to quit. That could bring a positive to all the sad ending stories told here.

That was the main reason that I started this thread. If one person quits smoking in time to prevent their and their friends and family’s suffering from this disease, then that will make my experience not a total disaster. Even though I may never know of another’s success in quitting that comes from this, it still eases my mind that I made that difference. I thought it would never happen to me, but here I am. I understand freedom of choice, but IMHO, tobacco sales should be more tightly regulated. I would like to see the legal age to purchase tobacco raised by say, 2-3 years for every year that passes, until eventually you have to be really old to buy what is, in effect, a poison.

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