Post by lilyofthevalley on Dec 26, 2016 19:52:55 GMT
Yesterday, on Christmas Day, a close friend died in hospital of COPD, lung disease brought on by smoking. She was only 67. She is the second friend that I have lost to COPD. Smoking had ruined her life but she was completely addicted and unable to stop. Apart from smoking a few cigarettes at parties when I was 18, I have not smoked. (I too am 67). I am so glad I have not. My friend suffered so many health problems associated with her smoking : she suffered heart failure and had a pacemaker fitted, she lost all her teeth, her face was very wrinkled and she looked 20 years older than her real age, she had cataracts on her eyes, she coughed all the time, she kept getting colds and viruses, she was fatigued, she was anxious and depressed, she suffered from insomnia. It took so much of her money. But she could not give up. She and the friend who introduced her to smoking when they were school children would go on holiday each year and bring back as many cheap cigarettes as they could. She has two grown up sons. One had his problems and remained very dependent on her. He will have no-one now as he and his brother do not get on.
My mother used to be a heavy smoker as a young woman. Many of her generation were. Luckily she gave up smoking in her 40s and had no resultant health problems. She is 94 now and in a nursing home. But up until about 18 months ago she was very fit and active.
I tried so hard to discourage my adopted children from smoking but they paid no heed and they both smoke. Like all drugs, once you start it's difficult to stop.
I shall miss my friend. Rest in peace, Heather.
Lily
My mother used to be a heavy smoker as a young woman. Many of her generation were. Luckily she gave up smoking in her 40s and had no resultant health problems. She is 94 now and in a nursing home. But up until about 18 months ago she was very fit and active.
I tried so hard to discourage my adopted children from smoking but they paid no heed and they both smoke. Like all drugs, once you start it's difficult to stop.
I shall miss my friend. Rest in peace, Heather.
Lily