[FlDebra]

After reading through again, I might owe an apology to the OP who did not want this to be a stop-smoking thread. Sorry if my last post was a "stop smoking" sort of post. It is very difficult NOT to sound that way after watching the man you love more than anything waste away from nicotine! It might not have been the only thing that did it, but it was a huge factor.

I just want all smokers to know that I judge NO ONE! I did my damage, I'm sure! It is no easy thing to quit. I do wish success for anyone who decides for themselves they are ready to quit! It is a very individual commitment! I don't think any amount of preaching or nay-saying will work on another. We each have to decide when it is time for ourselves. When I said smokers -- keep trying to quit -- it was responding to those who had posted HERE that they were trying or wanting to quit.

I do think we all need to be considerate of all around us (other people AND pets) that will passively take the same risks without making the decision for themselves though.

BTW -- as little as a year before my husband died, he felt like smoking was no problem for him. He never did get the emphysema-type problems some lung cancer patients get. His breathing was good. He could run, work hard, passed his stress tests with flying colors. The tumors in his lungs did not get huge until right at the end. But silently, tumors had metastasized throughout his body, in bones, in organs, everywhere. The pain in his hip is what kept him going to a doctor. We were shocked to find it was from lung cancer! So, be careful thinking all is well ....... lung cancer is an insidious beast!