For some of us, Carson's death a grim awakening

Chicago Tribune ^ | Jan. 26, 2004 | John Kass

[Rennes Templar]

There are two kinds of conversations about Johnny Carson. One kind is the one most of you are having. It is light and interesting, about showbiz, TV, popular culture. Then there is the other conversation many of us have been avoiding.

-snip-

A part of it (the conversation)landed on my desk with a little thump. It was a package, about the size of your palm, with a brown camel on it, two pyramids and three palm trees.

"You can have them," said a friend who tossed them, casual in voice, though there was no missing the symbolism of it, his casting away of the Camels.

"I'm done with them," he said. "I quit."

-snip-

Carson's death could have been due to pneumonia, to infection, or it could have been respiratory failure. Either way it was private, and ugly.

I thought of him suffering amidst tubes.

"You can quit," Dr. Gross said. "You can have a life. You can quit."

I've failed before. And I'm afraid of failing. But Johnny Carson convinced me.

If you're interested in doing the same, you can call the American Lung Association at 312-243-2000.

jskass@tribune.com

[Rennes Templar]

I had an Aunt that smoked all her life and died of emphysema at 67. My mother had a brother that smoked all his life and he died of lung cancer at 66. My mother never smoked, drinks two or three beers per week, and plays two rounds of golf per week. She is 87. I'm following her lead.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Good for you!

I'm terrible, I need to quit,

[Gaetano]

Up the number to 2 to 3 beers per day, and I am with you.

[BullDog108]

It would be interesting to poll FReepers on their smoking. I say about 75% smoke, but I have nothing but instinct to back that up.......

[LauraleeBraswell]

But what about people who smoke when the drink. That makes it even harder.

[freedumb2003]

I quit after smoking for nearly 30 years. That was 3 years ago and it is the best thing I ever did.

Try Nicotrol inhalers (hits like a cigarette) and Zyban together.

My Mom died (after I quit smoking) of emphysema in her mid-60s after smoking all her life. She was too tired to quit but it was very sad and tragic

[Larry Lucido]

"For some of us, Carson's death a grim awakening"

Yep, we're all going to die of something. Imagine that.

[freedumb2003]

It would be interesting to poll FReepers on their smoking. I say about 75% smoke,

Closer to 25%, I would say -- not counting those that like a good cigar every now and then. If you add the latter, your number is probably right.

[Shortwave]

There is no safe dose of nicotine.

[John W]

"Either way it was private, and ugly. I thought of him suffering amidst tubes."

Well, having lost most everyone in my preceeeding generations, and been there at the end for them, I have a bulletin for this person. Smoker or not, it can be painful and they can be amidst tubes.

Private?Yes.Ugly?No.Not if you believe they are going to be with God.

[TheRightGuy]

It would be interesting to poll FReepers on their smoking.

I smoked 2-3+ packs per day for over 35 years. I quit 2 years, 3, months, 1 day, 7 hours and 32 minutes ago.

I don't miss it a bit.
< /sarc>

[Diego1618]

My advice.....if you want to quit, do not set a date. Do it
spontaneously. Do not wait until you have smoked the last cigarette in the pack. Rip up the pack and shred the individual smokes one at a time. If you do it this way...on the spur of the moment, you will have a better chance at sucess. Get mad at yourself and then do it!

[RobFromGa]

PING, this thread might be of interest to you! Freegards, RobFromGa

[Diego1618]

My advice.....if you want to quit, do not set a date. Do it
spontaneously. Do not wait until you have smoked the last cigarette in the pack. Rip up the pack and shred the individual smokes one at a time. If you do it this way...on the spur of the moment, you will have a better chance at sucess. Get mad at yourself and then do it!

[L,TOWM]

Try the gum. I was watching my mother in law go from CPOD last summer (well over the last few years, actually). I quit a 28 year habit in August.

I could'nt picture my wife or myself through what Mom went through. I DO NOT want to go that way. It was ghastly.

[1066AD]

Nicorette. Works like a champ.

[RobFromGa]

My advice.....if you want to quit, do not set a date. Do it spontaneously.

In my experience, you are totally correct. Once the decision has been made, that is the most difficult part. Why take a chance on losing your best and maybe only chance to quit? Once you stop, there will be positive reinforcement to help you out.

One other suggestion, if you are sincere about quitting, tell at least one other person who will be desappointed in you if you quit.

[L,TOWM]

Quitting drinking was a picnic compared to smoking.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I quit cold turkey 25 years ago! After I found out 1 drop on the skin of pure nicotine will kill you! I don't know if that's true but I do know it's bad stuff.

Never missed the cigarettes since January 22, 1979!