So the date was locked in, 4 December 2018. I remember freaking the F out and trying to find as much info on risks and recovery time as possible. My major hurdle to overcome was giving up smoking! 

While a never-been smoker won’t understand why smokers make such a fuss when giving-up, there are others out there with addictions who will. 

Although I planned it to the max, had reading material ready, new things to occupy my time, Apps to play with… I was super stressed about failing! Only once in my 30 years as a smoker had I attempted to give up. I saw smoking as a key part of my persona. What if I wasn’t cool anymore when I stopped smoking?

Yes, deep down I knew smoking wasn’t actually cool, but when you grew up in the 70s and 80s it was! We were constantly bombarded with images of trendy and beautiful people smoking. It was advertised on TV, public transport and the tobacco companies sponsored all the major sporting events. But still yes, older and wiser now, I realise it’s not cool to smoke!

So how to do this… choices, choices, choices. Would the new craze of vaping be okay instead? Ruled that one out early as it was a big fat NO from both the neurosurgeon and anaesthesiologist #bugger. 

How then? Mind-altering drugs, cold turkey, cutting back with gum and patches, or do I try hypnotherapy? As I can get a funny tummy with any new medication, could foresee epic failure with cold turkey, and probably left my run a little late to try cutting back through patches or gum, I elected for the hypno route. 

Had a great recommendation from Cathy at work and booked in… the little pessimist inside me was certain of failure. This was probably as I still wasn’t keen on the idea of surgery and failure at this would mean the surgery had to be postponed. On the flip-side, my family and work colleagues were certain of success.  Little Miss Viv also decided to be my quit buddy and give up at the same time. That little firecracker always has my back!

So I went, had a chat with a super nice grandfather type dude, in his cute little old house in Canberra, and I remember the whole conversation. Imagine my surprise when it actually f’ing worked! If you’re looking for a hypno dude, contact me and I’ll send you his details.

Also, the My QuitBuddy app inspired me everyday. I can’t believe I’ve now been smoke free for 55 days, have saved over $1,500 already, and feel pretty damn healthy in the lung department. Who woulda thunk it?