A Hard Thread To Write

[redneck_toy]

Thanks for the kind words. If you still feel the need to send a thank you bomb, send it out to Zippo. I still owe him for the birthday cigars he sent.

Thank you for all the kind words guys. I will try to roll through from time to time. I just need to take time to help eliminate the temptation. I will peek in from time to time.

Will do brother. You take care, and as others have said, check in from time to time. Your family

 

[mdwest]

Fwiw cigars are what brought me to botl (I was googling for information and came across the board by chance)...

But they are not why I stay...

I check into chat several times a week... Maybe 10% of the conversations are about cigars... The rest are about cars, women, bourbon, work, vacation, and other general bullshitting that commonly goes on among friends...

Probably 75% of the posts I make here are not about cigars... I enjoy the general discussion room, firearms, comedy, etc rooms every bit as much and read content there regularly..

And then there are things like Operation Esteli.. And the fundraisers we've done for others in need (to include several members)...

I've had the honor and privilege of meeting more than a hundred members here over the last few years in person... Many of whom I am now proud to call friend (a small handful I would consider very good friends)...

This place is much more than somewhere guys get together and talk about dried leaves...

You should consider hanging out a while longer and seeing all the other things botl has to offer...

Just my .02

 

[BradMc]

As Dave says we r much more than just cigars, we have a group like no other IMHO, this is a true brotherhood , we all look out for one another in good n bad .

Good luck with ur next step, if u need info or just want or need to talk, someone is here to help .....

Best of luck

 

[Jfire]

Sir, I'm not a doctor so my argument at this point is sheer discussion. I also want to offer my prayers for your uncle. That said, doctors are not medical masters, in fact, I've found most to simply be advanced at playing the 'memory' game. They see a few symptoms and they identify the combination as a condition.

You went to ask your doctor if you had risk factors, and told him you smoked cigars. Even if he had no idea why your respiratory rate or oxygen levels may be low, you told him what he was going to tell you.

What he didn't tell you is that most studies completed, since the 1960's mind you, have shown cigar smokers that don't inhale and smoke less than 5 cigars per day have no increased risks over non smokers. He also didn't even consider that caffeine may be the greater cause of an increased heart rate, but even those effects are just as short lived as nicotine on the body. Regarding your oxygen saturation, if you inhale, by all means, stop. If you don't, then you have to ask what other things were considered. Did he compare you to what you "should" be because of your age? Was it low enough that he should recommend you see a pulmonologist to eliminate asthma as a factor? Did your doc find enough concern in those numbers to follow through or did he prey on your concerns and just tell you what he wanted, thinking he was doing a good thing? Did he tell you that lack of exercise is just as likely a solution for those concerns and that some regular cardiovascular exercise would do you good?

Many people dismiss the fact that cigars, if smoked occasionally and not inhaled are a wonderful method of eliminating stress. Even the Surgeon General in the 60's, the same one that said to to 5 sticks a day was okay, mentioned this. Stress is a higher risk factor for many more things than you'd imagine.

What your doctor may not know, or isn't telling you is that research in the past several years have begun to show the greatest cancer risks occur in our diets. It's been known for decades that cancer cells feed primarily on glucose. The recent school of thought is that if you have consistent higher levels of blood sugar, that puts you at a higher risk of cancer. You don't even need to be overweight or obese to carry high blood sugar levels, it's all in how your hormones work. If I were in your family that would be the first change I would make.

Before I finish I want to say this. You obviously have concerns based on your family risks. I applaud you for taking these seriously and having the desire to reduce those risks for the sake of yourself and your family. You take these risks far greater to the heart than most people, even those who have been personally affected by their bad habits (example : an obese person being told they're developing type ii diabetes yet continuing to overeat and makes no effort to lose weight)

You need to do everything you can to reduce those risks, and I'm not telling you to ignore something that may be a legitimate risk. You and your doctors know more of your situation than I do. But I hate it when people in positions of authority tell people things that they've chosen to tell them based on their biases or personal opinions and not due to the relevant situation. If I was you and my doctor gave me a simple checkup based on my concerns and didn't dig any deeper than that, I'd find another doctor. You went there to eliminate specific risks, he sent you away with a generic recommendation without even examining if those mild concerns may be caused by direct, legitimate concerns.

My rant is done, whatever you choose, for whatever the reasons, they're yours. Good luck in your future endeavors brother.

This is one of the most well written and thought out posts in such a long time. Thank you.
To Mike,
I hope you find the health you are looking for. Get a new doctor. One that will give you the hard truths about all things bad we place in our bodies. Not just ones that they think are the most harmful. (The same doctor who probably had a Starbucks frap before work)

 

[ZippoGeek]

Good luck to you brother...but don't be a stranger!

 

[Wicket]

Sorry to read this but like others have said once a brother always one! Please check in every now and then we a always around for you. You and your family will be in my prayers

 

[Tennessee Dave]

Prayers for you in this endeavor. Wishing you all the best and I echo the sentiments expressed by others that the brotherhood here is strong and you need to stay a part of it.

 

[Griz]

Prayers are out to you folks, heck I know what it is to have a doctor tell me the "c" word, twice, I ain't fun. But, even ifn ya give up the hobby ya don't need to scoot. I can't drink beer because of other health problems, but I still stop by the bar so I can visit my brother, diet soda is my drink of choice, point is, heck ya can stick around and talk to us and we can support you better if we are together. Its more than a cyber smoke here, this is family, maybe dis functional, but family. Besides, where else are ya gonna see Hoshy's nipples.

 

[sean]

Prayers are out to you folks, heck I know what it is to have a doctor tell me the "c" word, twice, I ain't fun. But, even ifn ya give up the hobby ya don't need to scoot. I can't drink beer because of other health problems, but I still stop by the bar so I can visit my brother, diet soda is my drink of choice, point is, heck ya can stick around and talk to us and we can support you better if we are together. Its more than a cyber smoke here, this is family, maybe dis functional, but family. Besides, where else are ya gonna see Hoshy's nipples.

Well said!

 

[bdc30]

Besides, where else are ya gonna see Hoshy's nipples.

I'm sure there are no shortage of places online to access that particular bit of content...lol

 

[Hoshneer]

So sorry to hear this man. Please don't be a stranger, tragedies can hit you hard. We are always here for you this place is so much more than cigars.

 

[Mikenice81]

Well, I was doing good for a few weeks. Then my wife bought me four cigars for Father's Day. Since then I have truly sucked at not smoking. The Saturday before last (8-25) I bought a tin of Cohiba Black Pequenos and three other sticks. I smoked them in a week. I smoked multiple today for my birthday. I've been picking up single and doubles when time and money allow.

Now I'm feeling like I need to restock the tupperdor. Money doesn't really allow because the wife feels better spending $20 or $30 a week instead of $80 or $120 in one pop. So, I'm smoking a bit and I feel like a heel because I still owe @ZippoGeek and @multi-useless bombs. Yet, I can't even get my own collection going again.

What is the point of all of this word soup and rambling, not much. I just wanted people to know that the thread wasn't a lie. I really did plan on quitting, but the leaf is strong and the flesh is weak. I even stopped for a little while. I just enjoy the leaf too much to give it up. I still plan on getting right with Multi and Zippo. It will just take a little while. I guess this is the official, I'm Back thread now.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Well, I was doing good for a few weeks. Then my wife bought me four cigars for Father's Day. Since then I have truly sucked at not smoking. The Saturday before last (8-25) I bought a tin of Cohiba Black Pequenos and three other sticks. I smoked them in a week. I smoked multiple today for my birthday. I've been picking up single and doubles when time and money allow.

Now I'm feeling like I need to restock the tupperdor. Money doesn't really allow because the wife feels better spending $20 or $30 a week instead of $80 or $120 in one pop. So, I'm smoking a bit and I feel like a heel because I still owe @ZippoGeek and @multi-useless bombs. Yet, I can't even get my own collection going again.

What is the point of all of this word soup and rambling, not much. I just wanted people to know that the thread wasn't a lie. I really did plan on quitting, but the leaf is strong and the flesh is weak. I even stopped for a little while. I just enjoy the leaf too much to give it up. I still plan on getting right with Multi and Zippo. It will just take a little while. I guess this is the official, I'm Back thread now.

Hey brother, I empathize. The Drs have found a 2mm nodule on my lung. I have only had one cigar in the month since I have known, but I don't see how I can ever truly quit unless the biopsy comes back saying I have the dreaded "c" word. Even then, rarely smoking and sticking to smaller smokes I probably won't be able to completely quit. The cigars can really pick me up when I'm down and this brotherhood has been one of the greatest sources of support a guy could want.

 

[ZippoGeek]

I really did plan on quitting, but the leaf is strong and the flesh is weak.

Are you sure that wasn't too ambitious a goal? I mean, what's wrong with rewarding yourself with a stick, let's say, once a week? The key to any healthful living plan is moderation. I mean, what else is life for but to be enjoyed once in a while? Just a little friendly fire...

Peace,
Jason

 

[ZippoGeek]

Are you sure that wasn't too ambitious a goal? I mean, what's wrong with rewarding yourself with a stick, let's say, once a week? The key to any healthful living plan is moderation. I mean, what else is life for but to be enjoyed once in a while? Just a little friendly fire...

Peace,
Jason

Oh, and one other thing @Mikenice81 -- you don't owe me jack squat! That's not what this forum is about; a good BOTL never keeps score...

 

[CVAC085]

Oh, and one other thing @Mikenice81 -- you don't owe me jack squat! That's not what this forum is about; a good BOTL never keeps score...

But if you feel the need anyway to owe him anything...shoot me a PM for his addy. I'll come forward and gladly drive this BOTL bus!!! HONK HONK!!!

 

[ZippoGeek]

But if you feel the need anyway to owe him anything...shoot me a PM for his addy. I'll come forward and gladly drive this BOTL bus!!! HONK HONK!!!

Jerk.

 

[CVAC085]

Jerk.

I mean..... HAHAHA!

 

[CeeGarOne]

May God embrace you, your family and shower you with His mercies. While I am a noobie here, from what I can gather, the care amongst this brotherhood extends beyond the love of the leaf. As said by others, don't be afraid to drop in to say hello and lean on a shoulder or two.

 

[Mikenice81]

Are you sure that wasn't too ambitious a goal? I mean, what's wrong with rewarding yourself with a stick, let's say, once a week? The key to any healthful living plan is moderation. I mean, what else is life for but to be enjoyed once in a while? Just a little friendly fire...

Peace,
Jason

The problem is I have no self control. I enjoy a good smoke way too much. If I buy four, they're gone in four days. Well I can wait 48 hours for some minor acclamation. Then it is daily.

I hate to admit it, but I am thinking of giving the wife control of the tupperdor. That way I can only get one on Saturday or Sunday. At that rate a bundle of El Credito El Prieto should last nearly a year. Ballin' on a budget. lol