How and When I Quit Smoking

I was a smoker years ago ... smoked Marlboro.  I quit cold turkey on November 11, 1982 after trying to quit with hypnosis or by myself.  I remember watching the ACS commercial in TV of a guy looking older than my age (32 then) celebrating his 18th birthday.  He obviously wasn’t 18, but said it was 18 years ago since his last lung surgery following a lung cancer diagnosis. Said he could wait to be 21.

I believe smokers are addicted just like they are to other drugs.  Quitting is hard, harder than most can relate to.  I respect those that try to quit but can’t.  Quoting only comes when your self conscious says enough is enough.  Before that, you outer being may say quit, but your inner being is stronger and want let you.

I quit when my inner being said I was going to live to see my kids grow up... now so I can see my grandkids grow up.  They are so stinking cute!

This writing was prompted by a sign outside of a Cumberland Farms store advertising the “low cost of cigarettes”.  Ha!  $9.34 for a pack of Marlboro... that’s $93.40 a carton. At my peek that I remember was aboard my submarine on 6 hour watches, or duty.  I could easily do a 1-2 packs per day.  At least a carton per week ... that’s a drug habit in the making.  More than a mortgage payment back then.

The cheapest I can recall buying cigarettes for was $1.30 per CARTON!  Sea rationed cigarettes.  I was aboard the USS LaSalle, LPD-3, a target operating out of Norfolk, VA between schools before submarine assignment in the early 1970’s.  Submariners often said, you could be assigned to a submarine or a target. We went out to sea for only 1 day while I was stationed aboard.  When the announcement “Sea Stores” were opened, there was a rush I knew nothing about.  Sailors buying tax free sea rationed cigatettes by the case of 60 cartons.  I did t have much money with me, but I did buy what I could.  Can you imagine - $1.30 a carton?  I’m sure they are more than that now, but geesh!  We didn’t get that benefit aboard submarines.

In any case, I’m sorry those still afflicted with smoking are there, smoking does cause cancer.  Start believing in the reason to live, reach out for help, and save a LOT of money.

A Lesson For All, Why You Get Screened

I'm writing this piece about a friend, a friend I've known for years.  Unlike me, they are more private about their story, but with my encouragement, they agreed to let me tell the story using another name, to protect their privacy.  It's the story that is really important because I goes straight to my point of early screening yields early detection and if detected, an easier treatment and cure.  Don't wait for cancer screening until something doesn't feel right, do it following American Cancer Society and your doctors guidance.  Early is better.

My friend Sam, an assumed name of my male or female friend, was in good health, and had been throughout their life.  During an annual physical, around 60 years of age, their doctor recommended a colonoscopy.  Ya, ya was the response, I'm in good health, I'm not going through all that... maybe someday later.  Of course, Sam may or may not have passed all this information to their spouse, who just happened to be an oncology nurse!

Fast forward another year and another annual physical.  Same story.  Doctor says you need a colonoscopy.  Sam says ya, ya, I feel good, I just don't want to go through all that stuff.  I think it was partially embarrassment many of us feel when thinking of a colonoscopy and have a team of people blowing air in our butt and sticking a camera up where the sun don't shine.  Admit it, all of us, boys and girls, have those parts in common, and colonoscopy serves us all well in the early detection of colon cancer.  In February 2018, cancer.org stated the overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is: about 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men and 1 in 24 (4.15%) for women. This risk is slightly lower in women than in men. A number of other factors (described in Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors) can also affect your risk for developing colorectal cancer.  Same ending, I'll do it someday doc.

Third year annual physical and Sam stuck to the story of someday.  Doc asked if the spouse was in the waiting room.  No says Sam, you lie says the doc (who knows the spouse from them working together), heads out to get the spouse.  Sam tries to redirect them to another room, but is finally feeling trapped. OK, OK, Sam says, I'll do it, figuring that will get them off their back.  The colonoscopy gets scheduled and completed.  Sam says the doctor came in as he was waking up and started speaking in words most of us don't understand.  When Sam saw the look as the spouse turned white, Sam knew something bad was up, this is not good!

A large mass was found in the area around the cecum, where the appendix is or was, and near the connection of the large and small intestine.  There was a lot of concern and the need fr immediate surgery.  We now have similar scars running top to bottom of our gut, although I think mine looks better - said smiling.  Luckily for Sam, the tumor was contained and had not spread to the lymph glands.  Sam was nervous, as was I, and started putting things in order, just in case.  Luckily, no radiation, no chemo, just follow on checks.  It's been 2 years and things are looking good.

Who knows, colonoscopy sooner may have meant smaller tumor, easier surgery.  Early detection means easier recovery.  Get checked.  Love Sam and the nurse spouse, listen to the experts and get it done.

- - -  
Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us

Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?

Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!

It's Been A While, Catch up Time

I've been reminded numerous times, where have you been, I haven't seen your post, what's going on?  Truthfully, I have not been in the writing mood since about infusion 4, I've been knocked on my butt partially and getting ready for Relay For Life.  While the chemo kicked my butt, Relay For Life was uplifting and a positive experience.  I actually stayed for the entire event, over 18 hours plus setup and take down, than God for the helpers!

Today marks my chemo half way plan, 6 down, 6 to go...  I've got this, I #HaveFaith and #HaveBelief.  I've kicked cancers ass and am just setting up my body to weed out any of those demon cells that may try to stay around ...  they are history.  Had quite the itchy palms during Oxaliplaitin infusion Wednesday, either that or I was coming into money as the old wives tale goes, and I didn't even get a lottery ticket to cover my bases.

Quaboag Valleys Relay For Life event in Belchertown was emotional, inspirational, and worth every minute.  Everyone, cancer survivor or not, should attend.  I am blown away at the number of people I know and have heard about that have been touched by cancer ... the numbers are mind boggling.  This is a disease that touche so many.  Some are lucky to have found it early enough to be treated and get into remission or elimination, others have been devastated and or lost their battle.  Join a team next year, I hope my Team Director Dan, and get involved.  It makes a difference...  help my with a fundraiser, by walking the walk with me or in any other way of support, it will be appreciated.  Near or far, you CAN help and join my team.

The Belchertown, Granby, Amherst Sentinel  provided great coverage, as well as Channel 22 News and Sy Becker.  The Sentinel had a great spread and covered my story as part of their story, I'm pretty humbled by that.  Although the story is not directly linkable, you can read it online at the link above, or I have clipped and attached here for you to read... you may have to enlarge the pictures and text.

Team building and fundraising for 2019 begins in mid August this year.  I have LOTS of irons in the fire and could use much help with each of the ideas I have going.  Please step forward and help me with at least one of them, we'll find the right fit, something you may be interested in, enjoy, and can really make a difference.  That, or come to me with your own idea, I'll turn no help away.  Just connect with me, please.

- - -  
Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us

Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?

Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!