Smokers Beware!

[AzureLynn]

Is smoking worth it?

The money spent on cigarettes is ever increasing. And the money spent on medical costs related to smoking is in the billions. The most valuable loss is the loved one that dies from smoking related cancers.

Sure you read and hear about all those statistics. And you probably will tell me to shut up, because you are sick of hearing about it.

I just lost my mother in law to cancer -- lung cancer. Small cell carcinoma to be more specific. In less than one year time frame I watch her go from a vibrant, energetic, amazing woman to a walking shell of pain and memory loss (a memory loss SHE KNEW she had and could do NOTHING about -- there is nothing worse than "losing your mind" and KNOWING IT!) For the families to have to watch a very slow painful death is absolutely heart wrenching. There is absolutely NO cure for this cancer. It doesn't respond to treatments like some of the other cancers. In fact -- its eventual response to treatments is to spread with devestating speed and latch onto everything. And I mean EVERYTHING! Lungs, joints, lymph system, brain, blood stream...... pretty much if you can get blood to it or its part of the lymph system -- it can and will get this cancer. That pretty much covers the entire body. And its usually in less than two years that it does this response.

Monday last week she was on her way to do a treatment - by Saturday morning - she was gone. She had been diagnosed sometime last autumn. In a very short 8 months she went from surgery to remove a tumor, and one spot on her lung to so sick she couldn't do anything outside the home other than have us make her as comfortable as possible. And do not think that during that 8 months she was able to go do whatever she wanted. Quite the contrary. She was home bound because she was exhausted all of the time. Simple tasks like washing dishes for two wore her out. She didn't get to go to the beach, she didn't get to go to the movies like she wanted. She didn't get to do all of those things she'd enjoyed before it started to affect her.

 

Bottom line -- smoking can cause cancer. It's been proven time and time again. Never say "It won't happen to me.. my family doesn't get cancer." Fate has a way of throwing a HUGE wrench in the works when you get that kind of attitude. And this cancer is difficult to live with -- and the life expectancy after diagnosis is extremely grim! They say 3 to 5 years IF you are lucky. Some luck -- 3 to 5 years of drugs and misery to keep it at bay IF you respond to treatments positively. Don't bet your life on it, because I sure wouldn't after what I have seen.

 

I have some questions --

What do you think it does to your loved ones to come home and see you dumping your medications down the disposal? When asked why you did that you respond, "I don't know." with a blinking blank look on your face.

What do you think it does to your loved ones to watch you have a good day where you interact, albeit less than normal, and enjoy company and foods - and the very next day not even get out of bed?

Is it the same for everyone? Maybe not. But would you bet your next pack on it?

Many blessings.