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Health: Scared to Life!

by Ted Martin

Branson, Missouri
United States

Well, I have never smoked, but was in this web site researching the topic for a newsletter at work about the Great American Smokeout. I will tell you how my grandfather quit though... he was a traveling saleman who started smoking as a teenager and chain smoked during his travel time in the car. Prior to retirement, he had a doctors visit and he told him if he did not quit now, he would have a substantial life change. This change included the threat of possible future needs to use oxygen full-time. During the visit, the doctor placed a nasal cannula on my grandfather... up over the cheek bones and the top of the ears with two little prong up his nose. The oxygen was turned on at 6 liters per minute and the doctor explained that "This will be your life." Rubbing of that plastic on his ears and cheek bones... having to carry a bottle... dry nasal passages... to pay for the oxygen service... until the day he dies. That was enough to scare him as he did not want that lifestyle in his retirement. He went home, smoked his last cigarette... and always had a mint (Certs) or a toothpick in his mouth to beat the urge... he walked 15-30 minutes daily and LIVED seven additional years after retirement, even after being a hard core smoker for 50 years. If he can quit, anyone can... no excuses! Ted Martin, Division Chief City of Branson Fire & Rescue