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1. sammy

   

   7 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2019
   31 Dec 2019

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   Hi-I have smoked for 40 years.  I got the flu this Christmas and ended up in urgent care.  I was diagnosed with pneumonia and early signs of emphysema.  I am on antibiotics, a puffer and prednisone.  I am still having a hard time breathing.  My SATS were only 93% which is why I’m so short of breath.  I haven’t had a cigarette since Christmas Day because I can’t breathe.  I had planned on quitting smoking in January so I have just moved up my quit date.  My diagnosis has really scared me.  One problem is that my husband is a heavy smoker and smokes at our patio door all the time because he doesn’t want to go out to the garage.  I tell him the smoke still filters through the whole house.  Even when I was smoking we would get into fights about this.  Not sure how to deal with this especially since he knows I’m really short of breath and still does it anyways.  Any thoughts?
   
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   01 Jan 2020 in reply to sammy

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   Sammy,
   
   You'll never regret quitting smoking. Within the first few weeks you should see improvement in breathing, reduced BP, etc. You'll also start to feel better overall as time goes on. 
   
   As for your husband - it is tough when one partner quits and the other still smokes. The addiction has a hold over him and as a smoker he can't smell the stink or see the negative effects. Best you can do is talk to him, or have him join you at a doctor visit to talk about the need to avoid second hand smoke, especially while you are trying to quit. 
   
   Keep us posted on your progress. 
3. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   01 Jan 2020 in reply to sammy

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   Hi sammy,
   
   I'm sorry to hear you're going through a rough time but quitting smoking is definitely the first step to reclaiming your health.
   
   It certainly can be tricky when you're trying to quit and have someone close to you who smokes. I agree with atp that maybe asking your husband to go to the doctor with you and talk about what you need to get better.
   
   As well, maybe sit down with your husband and ask him what he thinks he can do to help support you. Asking him to "help" you as opposed to "telling" him what to do might be more helpful??
   
   Regardless, sammy, know that we're here to support you however we can.
   
   Happy New Year!